Page 21 of The Reverse Cinderella

“I’ll come by and walk you home,” Max offered.

“Thank you.”

Piaget gave his hand a squeeze then made her way to the counter to help Dix. As she left she could hear Adam say, “She fell asleep? Dude, that is so not exciting. You’re lucky she’s giving you a second chance.”

“Where have you been? The rush came in,” Dix said as she efficiently put together an order of drinks with all sorts of twists and shots of chocolate or caramel. Piaget rushed to fill the bakery orders for her, hoping to get on her good side again.

“Eavesdropping,” Piaget smiled.

“I hope it was soap opera worthy because if you don’t share and it isn’t good, I’m not going to forgive you for leaving me high and dry,” Dix pushed the tray of drinks at a customer with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Thank you for your order, please come again.”

“We’ll talk,” Piaget assured her and took another customer order.

Just as suddenly as the crowd came, it thinned out and they managed to handle it. Piaget looked at the clock and twenty minutes had disappeared in the blink of an eye. Dix wiped down the counter as Piaget restocked the bakery display. Finally, Dix turned to Piaget, crossing her arms and raising a pierced eyebrow. “Spill.”

“Hi Adam,” Piaget smiled at Adam who had approached the counter behind Dix and grabbed the tote for bussing tables, leaving them alone. She went to Max and picked up Adam’s now empty cup. “Did you coach him?”

Max pulled out a chair for her and she sat down to watch the show. “I did but I’m betting every word I said just disappeared on the poor guy.”

Adam was stumbling over his words and Dix was looking at him much the same way she might an insect that had dared to enter her space. Not that she wanted to kill it but why was it even there?

“This is not looking good.”

Max quickly grabbed Piaget’s hand to stop her from interfering. “Don’t rescue them. This is a momentous occasion for Adam, whether he gets turned down or not. He needs to do this on his own.”

Piaget left her hand in Max’s, liking the feel of it. “I want to apologize for the way the other night ended.”

“You don’t have to.”

“No, I do,” Piaget insisted. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you. Plus, I definitely did not mean to call you Gary. Gary was my husband and its past time that I let go of all the feelings I had. I really do like you Max. Maybe we could take it slowly and just see how things go?”

“I think that you are someone amazingly special, Piaget. If you want to take things slow, then that’s what we will do,” Max brought his other hand over their joined ones.

“Thank you.” He really was an understanding guy. Piaget could feel herself slipping further under his spell but was interrupted by Dix at the counter.

“You what?!” Dix practically shrieked. “Just because I have blue hair, piercings and maybe a tattoo does not mean that I am that kind of girl!”

Adam gaped in surprise. “I meant, I mean, I –”

“Out!” Dix pointed to the door then when Adam didn’t move, she grabbed a blueberry muffin from the display and made like she was going to throw it at him. “Now!”

Quickly, Piaget went to the counter and put a hand on Dix’s arm, rescuing the muffin. “What is going on here?”

“This perverted sasquatch asked me if I was an exhibitionist! I have two psychiatrist parents, I know what the clinical term means!”

“I was trying to ask you if you were an artist and if you were interested in going to the Meier exhibition, but my mouth mixed the words together!” Adam nearly shouted. He looked surprised that he had gotten out a full sentence in Dix’s presence. “I do that when I get nervous sometimes.”

“What?” Dix stared at him.

“I heard you like art. I was asking you out. Not to see…” he gestured at her. “Not that it wouldn’t be nice to see… oh, boy.”

“Out!” Dix practically vibrated.

Max grabbed Adam by the shoulders. “Come on big guy. Retreat might be in order.”

Piaget watched Max lead a disappointed Adam out the door. She put the blueberry muffin away, warily watching Dix furiously sweep the floor. “He didn’t mean it. He’s a sweet guy and he likes you.”

There was a snort.