Page 53 of Hide From Me

I march over, plate in hand, doing my best not to let my hands shake.

“What are you doing here?” I growl, placing my hand on my hip as I hold his pancakes captive like some psycho.

“I'm, well…” he looks at the plate then back to me with a boyish grin, “I'm trying to eat, just like I have the last ten years.”

I suck the back of my tongue creating a clicking noise. Great. Now I seem like the crazy one because of course he came for food but I know that's not the only reason. Will I make it worse by calling him out on it? His gaze drops to my mouth and his pupils dilate.

Oh yeah it'll definitely make it worse and I'm trying to slacken this damn string tied between us. Plopping the plate on the table I try to glare at his mug but it's already on a napkin making my irritable stare unnecessary.

“I'm sorry I haven't been around. Is that why you're not texting back or answering my calls?” His head tilts to catch my attention and I scoff with a roll of my neck to glance back at Jack not so subtly watching from the kitchen window. He dips back around and I scrunch my nose to refrain from screaming at him. There’s still customers here and I don’t really need to lose my job.

“I honestly thought the picture would get you to say something, but all I’ve had is radio silence. So, are you going to tell me what I’ve done wrong?” Moe's voice drops to a whisper and my cheeks heat. Since when have I ever blushed? Maybe it’s the fact that I indeed enjoyed the picture of him in some odd work out room with grey sweats low on his waist and his hand dipped under a tight white tee, teasing me with the one thing I’ve been desperate to see but he’s yet to allow.

“No.” It sounds pathetic coming off my tongue but it’s all I can get out so I tilt my chin further into the air. He looks too smug, twirling his stupid fork between his fingers as he pulls his bottom lip between his teeth and looks me over.

“I mean you haven’t done anything wrong. I’ve just been busy.” I push the words off my thick tongue like it’ll somehow make this situation any better.

“Noted. Next time I’ll make sure it’s a video of my dick so I’m sure to get a response. I bet you wouldn’t be too busy for that.”

I cough trying to cover up his statement and quickly look around.

“I’m a busy woman.” I huff in annoyance, “besides I’m not the only one who disappears.”

With that, I turn to leave. I don’t know why I sound like I’m jealous of his job—I’m not. I’ve delt with not knowing him and his disappearing act ever since the day I met him. It didn’t matter then and it doesn’t matter now.

“Touché. What’re you doing for the new year?” His voice dropping to a low murmur has me pausing to hear him properly.

Shoving my hands into my apron, I don’t bother facing him, “busy.”

“What if I take you to a party? It’ll be fun?” He drawls the last sentence as if it’s supposed to entice me.

“I have plans with—“

Before the sentence is even out of my mouth Jack's head is out the kitchen window speaking way too enthusiastically for my liking, “Hey Ray! Laura called, she’ll be busy New Year’s and I forgot I made plans to get a tattoo.”

If looks could kill my narrowed stare would have Jack hanging limp out of the stupid opening.

“Sounds like you’re in then, sunshine. Maybe it can make up for missing Christmas with you.”

My teeth grind at the smile in Moe's voice, my shoulders tense and my fist clench around whatever I can find in the little pockets. I thought Moe hated Jack, so why is this whole dynamic suddenly changing? And just an fyi, I don’t even celebrate Christmas–he knows that but he had promised something along the lines of ‘he’d make me see the joy in little things’. Whatever that means, but I didn’t give him the chance to.

“Do you remember the hill and how to get there?” Moe sings like he doesn't think I’ll punch him in the throat right here, right now. My spine straightens as sudden heat envelopes my body and my breathing shallows. His hand splays over my hip and tugs me back against him. This is too public and we’re too close.

“It’ll be fun. I’ll introduce you to some of my co-workers.” Moe's breath fans over my ear and I try to tug away but his grip only tightens, indenting into the plush skin.

“Friends do that right? Meet other's friends, sometimes even family.” His lips graze my ear and I shiver, successfully pulling from his hold. If I don’t, then I’ll be dragging him to the closest area and begging like someone I’m not.

“Fine.” I snap and his laugh follows me as I try to storm off.

“Bring a mask. We like to dress up.” He calls out and my nose scrunches from the statement. It’s not fucking Halloween, so why would…

“Trust me, sunshine. It’ll be fun.” Moe purrs as he slips back into his booth and pours an unhealthy amount of syrup over his pancakes.

It doesn’t sound fun. It sounds like something out of a horror movie or one of those books in my closet…

Thirteen

Moe