Second Chance Boyfriend (Drew + Fable #2)(46)

“You’re right. Relationships aren’t easy, especially for people who still feel somewhat…broken.”

“Are you saying you think I’m broken?” I’m immediately on the defensive.

“Not at all. I said people who feel they are broken. Don’t you feel that way still?”

I’m quiet. That’s answer enough, I’m sure.

“Just because you feel like you’re broken doesn’t mean she views you the same way. Fable sees all of your potential. All of your strengths and weaknesses yet she believes in you completely. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be with you. Right?”

“I hope so.”

Dr. Harris sets down her iPad that she uses to take notes and smiles at me. “Just remember that your relationship with Fable is still in that fresh, euphoric honeymoon stage. Cherish her. Enjoy her. But never forget you need to be there for her through the good times and the bad. And I’m saying this in a rather subjective way, Drew. I believe that girl is good for you. She’ll help you heal.”

I can hardly contain my smile. “Are you saying Fable has your approval?”

Doc laughs. “I shouldn’t be talking to you like this, you know. I’m losing sight of my objectivity. But from everything I hear you say about her, that would be a resounding yes.”

Chapter Thirteen

If I want her, I need to fight for her. – Drew Callahan

Fable

I cruise into the restaurant late in the afternoon humming under my breath, offering a hello at the bitchy chick who works the hostess’s desk. Her jaw about drops to the floor and I smile blithely at her, thrilled I threw her off her catty game.

Nothing can get me down today. I’m on a complete Drew high.

Heading toward the back, I go to clock in and see Jen’s already hanging out in the small employee longue area, sipping on a Starbucks frap and watching me. “Fancy you coming back to work,” she drawls.

“I trade one shift with someone and it’s suddenly I don’t want to work? So unfair.” I stash my purse in one of the lockers provided to keep our stuff safe and twirl the lock, keeping my back to Jen for fear of any judgmental staring on her part.

“Colin wants to talk to you. He asked me to tell him when you got here,” she says quietly.

I turn to face her, fear turning my blood ice-cold. “Is he going to fire me?”

“No.” Jen doesn’t offer any other sort of explanation.

“What’s going to happen, then?”

“He’s going to ask if you take this job seriously. He sees a lot of potential in you, Fable. He wants you to eventually take it to the next level here.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Give me a break. I’m a freaking waitress. Yeah, from what I can see so far, the tips are fabulous. Better than any other place I’ve ever worked at. But there’s not a lot of room for growth at The District. I’m not stupid.

“You know how T goes around helping him open restaurants and training the staff? Colin has huge plans. He wants to open up a bunch of Districts all over the state and eventually the West Coast, turning it into a chain. And he needs more training staff.”

“I’ve been here only a couple of weeks,” I point out incredulously.

“I told you, he thinks you have potential.”

“You’ve been with him longer. Why wouldn’t he choose you for his new training person? Or any of the other girls who work here?”

“I don’t…like to travel.” Hmmm, there’s something she’s hiding, I can tell. “And the other girls, they’re just here to get dressed up and look pretty and pick up guys. They view this job as a way to get spending money and keep Mom and Dad happy while they nearly fail college. They don’t have future aspirations for the food industry.” Jen shakes her head.

“Well, I don’t have future aspirations for the food industry either,” I retort. Hell no, do I want to work at a restaurant for the rest of my life. I hate this sort of thing. I’m doing it because it’s all I know.

“Well, what are your future aspirations?”

Funny thing is, I haven’t a clue. I always talk about having hopes and dreams and wanting to get the hell away from this small town. But what do I really want to do? What do I want to be when I grow up?

I haven’t a f**king clue.

“Is she here—oh.” Colin stops short as he strides into the room, looking totally surprised to see me standing there. “Fable. I was looking for you.”

“I heard,” I can’t help but say, earning a death glare from Jen.

“Have a minute? I’d like to talk to you.” He smiles, his stance relaxed. All that easygoing don’t-worry charm buzzing all around him. He looks damn good in dark jeans and a white button-up shirt he left untucked, the sleeves rolled up to reveal strong, tanned forearms.

I may be in love with Drew, but I can appreciate a handsome man when I see one.

“Am I in trouble?” I ask, making sure Jen wasn’t lying.

“Not at all,” he says quickly, his voice smooth.

I raise a brow, letting him know I don’t quite believe him. “Shouldn’t I be preparing the tables for the evening?”

“Jen has it under control for now. Besides, I only need to take up a few minutes of your time. Then you can go polish glasses to your heart’s content.” He chuckles and presses his hand to my lower back when he approaches me, guiding me to his office, his hand never leaving me.