Page 118 of Moonlight Hearts

“I hear I’ve been expected.”

He went to his table, sat in his usual spot, and just like always, his eyes were on me.I decided to use that attention and subtly point my chin at Ben.

That was enough for my mind reader.Soyer got it and made an exasperated expression before pulling out his phone and texting.I heard Ben’s phone vibrate.

I watched him read the message and then nod at me.“I’ll be moving to the other table.”

I’d have gladly cheered him on, but all I could realistically do was nod and smile.Then, I went about plating Soyer’s pie and getting him his coffee.

“You want me to look after your tables while you take a break?”Rae asked me.They’d been writing out the gingerbread latte recipe after getting Kasey to put together a spice mix specially for it.

“I’m not on break.”

“Uh-huh.I’ll keep an eye on your tables, just in case.”

“But—”

They held up their hand.“Energy.I can feel it.You take care of that cherry pie.”

I didn't want to argue with Rae.I plated the pie, taking everything over to Soyer and setting it out in front of him.

He examined his slice.“This looks delicious.”

“Best cherry pie in the city.At least, that’s what everyone says about it these days.”

“Then they must be right.Will you join me?”

“Soyer—”

“I wouldn’t normally ask.Not when you’re working.I know you’re serious about work, but I’m asking anyway because I’ll not be here tomorrow.Take pity, Amory.Join me.”

I frowned at him before sliding into the booth opposite him.“You’re laying it on pretty thick there, don’t you think?”

“Not at all.”He picked up his fork and sliced off the tip of the pie, putting the piece into his mouth.He started chewing, then stopped and frowned.After a moment, he spat out a cherry pit onto his plate, where it made a clicking noise, like glass breaking.“Cherries and their hearts of stone.”

“Oh, sorry.Dwayne’s usually extra careful.I guess this one slipped through.Do you want to finish the slice, or do you want another?”

“This is mine.”He smiled.“But if you ask very nicely, we can share it.”

I leaned on the table.“Will you share your pie with me, Soyer, please?”

He took another bite, watching me intently while he chewed and swallowed it.He then put the fork on the plate neatly and slid it over to me.

“It’s yours, my heart.All of it is yours.”

He watched me eat the pie too.We didn’t really talk much about anything, but I ended up taking a prolonged break and spending it with him at that table he’d claimed when he’d decided to court me.Even though, on some level, I’d already been his.

The thing with the Moonlight now being open around the clock was that there was no longer any quiet.Sure, at the end of my shift it started looking that way, but if we were empty by half past two, we’d close early to the mixed clientele and turn on the elevator.

That Monday, Soyer made us do that at two anyway, but I was pretty sure it was mostly so he could take me home earlier.I didn’t argue since he was leaving.Before noon, he’d said.I’d made him promise to wake me before he left, and he did, but it was just for a long kiss and the exchange of too few whispered words.

I went back to sleep after, hoping that it was a dream, that I’d wake next to him, that his absence had passed in my sleep, but of course that didn’t happen.I woke to an empty bed and coffee downstairs waiting for me, along with a short note from Soyer.

Tuesday felt long.I checked the watch he’d given me over and over, watching the hands move too slowly.We texted.I would’ve worked long too, but that would’ve meant making Ben work long as well, and I wasn’t going to do that.

Ben took me home, dropping me right at the door of Sundial Tower.When I walked through the building entrance and up to the front desk, there was Chinese food from Ming’s there waiting for me, along with a note from Soyer.

Even when he wasn’t there, he made me smile.Even when he wasn’t there physically, he was so present in the way he made sure I was cared for.