After forcing my dad to eat something, I finally leave for work. As I drive, I can't stop thinking about our conversation, though. I know I left everything behind, but damn, can't he see I don't regret it at all? I've always loved this place, so coming back home was not a hard choice. I could never be happy knowing he was here sick and on his own.

At first, of course, I had no idea how I would put my life back together. We were never loaded but we've always had enough to live comfortably. I mean, until he got so sick that he couldn't keep his job.

Thank God our house was paid off and he had some savings. So yeah, we don't live in luxury, but between dad's savings and my salary as a waiter at D'Angelo, we have a simple but comfortable life, so he doesn't need to worry about me. If it was not for the money we need for his treatment and the constant worry about his health, I'd say we're managing things well.

Scrap that! We are managing things well. I will soon find a way to access the trust fund my grandma left me and we'll be able to pay for dad's treatment.

*****

I arrive five minutes late for my shift and hurry through the doors. As I am putting my apron in the break room, Meg, my childhood friend, and one of the waiters come my way looking flushed.

"Hey, what's going on?" I ask when she lets out the longest sigh.

"Oh my God, Livy! I've just met the man of my life!"

"What are you talking about? I thought you were going to marry John, the guy you met online last week?" I laugh.

"Har Har!" She rolls her eyes."Seriously, you know how Mr. Lane left the restaurant to his grandson when he passed away and the grandson never really bothered coming over here, right? Actually, he didn't even come to his grandfather's wake, if I'm not wrong-"

"Yeah, yeah, everybody knows that," I rush her to get to the point. Apparently, my dear friend doesn't know how to gossip without giving you the least amount of details, but our manager can be a pain in the ass and the last thing we need is to get caught gossiping about the owner.

"Well, he came by the restaurant and he is drop-dead gorgeous. I mean it, Livy! When I looked at him, I thought he was a model or a Hollywood actor, or...Damn! Just drop-dead gorgeous! Seriously!"

"You know the real good-looking guys are always taken, right?"

"You're no fun, Olivia! But anyway, he is handsome and seems to be back to solve some stuff around here."

"Is everything okay with the restaurant? You know I can't lose this job, Meg!"

"Of course, everything is okay. From what I've heard, he has some money from his late grandmother to receive or something," she explains, and I feel somehow calmer.

"One, how the heck do you know all that? And two, didn't he receive his inheritance when his grandfather passed away? I don't understand why he needs to come here after all this time just to get some money."

"Well, first, I have ears and pay attention to things. Second, yeah, he received part of the money but looks like something happened and he had to come here to get the rest and do God knows what. Anyways, be prepared to see Mr. God around here more often."

"Mr. God? Really?" I can't help but roll my eyes.

"You just wait and see." She winks before leaving the break room.

Meg and I have been friends since we were kids. She is a beautiful redhead with long hair and a top model body. If she was not so insecure about her looks, she could have any guy she wanted, but unfortunately, she only seems to attract douches, so I'm not really eager to meet Mr. God.

As I make my way to the tables, I greet the other waiters and wave to Mark, our head chef, who seems to be in a deep conversation with our manager Laura, or as we like to call her, Laura the devil.

The woman is not mean per se. With long brown hair and big blue eyes, she is a very beautiful woman and very good at her job. The problem is that she has a way of making you feel inferior that really gets under my skin.

I join the other waiters and start preparing the tables even though the restaurant doesn't open for another half an hour. D'Angelo is an upscale place, so Laura expects nothing but perfection from us.

By the way Mark is frowning at her, I guess their conversation is not going well, but I choose not to pry. The last thing I need is to get involved in workplace drama.

I'm cleaning the already sparkling tables when Laura goes to the office in the back, and Mark comes my way. "Hey, gorgeous."

"Hey, handsome." I give him a smile.

Mark is indeed a very handsome man. Tall, fit, and with curly short hair and light brown eyes, he's the perfect eye candy. He asked me out a few times when I started working here but I always declined, saying all my focus was on my father and that I didn't want to mix business with pleasure.

Dad still has some of his savings, but it doesn't mean I can afford to lose my job here. My tips are great and I can save some money and not mooch off of him. There's no way I'm risking my job. So, a platonic relationship it is.

"I hear you have tomorrow off. What are the big plans?" he asks.

"Yeah," I say, making my way to another table. "Well, I have tons of laundry to do and I want to take Bear for a walk on the beach, maybe read a little while there."

"Really? You have been working your ass off, Livy! You need to have some fun. Come on, I know what you need. Go on a date with me?" he asks as if he has found the solution to my problems.

So, I just laugh it off and keep cleaning. "Aren't you sweet? But thanks, I'll have to pass." I smile as I make my way to another table.

"One date, Livy. A friendly date," he presses.

" You know I can't." I stop what I'm doing to look at him.

"Mark, you are needed in the kitchen. What are you still doing here, anyway?" Laura crosses her arms, and I look down as I head to another table, prompting Mark to leave.

I hate to turn him down, but I don't want to get his hopes up. I know he wants to have a relationship, a serious girlfriend. He told me so several times. The problem here is me because I don't know if I can give him that. I only see him as a friend, and I can't and won't play with someone's feelings like that.

I know I could give it a shot and see how things go with us, but what if it goes wrong? What if it messes with my job?

"He has it bad for you," Meg says.

I sigh but choose to ignore her comment. If only things were that simple.

No matter how sweet he is, Mark could never comprehend how messed up my head is right now as I try to figure out a way to send my father to a treatment center in one of the most expensive hospitals in the world. I can't even remember the last time I went on a date, let alone got involved with a boyfriend.

And right this moment, what I really need is a husband.

At the end of my shift, I'm exhausted but happy with the tips I've got, so I say my goodbyes and head to my car. When I get to the parking lot, I get a message from Mark.

MARK: Sorry for insisting on that date today.

I'm starting to reply when I get another one.

MARK: I value your friendship and understand your reasons.

ME: Thanks for understanding. You're a great guy.

MARK: Good Night, Gorgeous.

ME: Night, Handsome.

I'm happy we're back to being platonic. Mark is a really great guy and deserves a special woman, not someone leading him on or playing with his feelings. And if we were to be together, that's what I'd be doing, especially after he's told me time after time, he's ready for a real family.

My only focus now should be on finding a way to get access to the money my grandmother left me and to help my father out without messing with anyone's life in the process. 

_____

A/N: Thanks for reading and for the nice comments on the first chapter. Hope you have enjoyed this one too. :)

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xoxo

- Celeste