Ryan stood next to him, menu in hand, trying to remember how to breathe normally.
Marcus sat there looking up at him with those warm eyes. Relaxed. Comfortable. Like he belonged there.
"So," Marcus said, his voice playful. "What do you recommend?"
Ryan's mind went blank for a second. What did he recommend? He barely knew what was on the menu.
"Uh... the salmon is popular. And the ribeye is really good."
"What's your favorite?"
Ryan blinked. "My favorite?"
"Yeah. What would you order if you were eating here?"
"I... I don't really eat here."
Marcus's eyebrows went up. "Wait. What? But you said you loved the macaroni and cheese here. Remember? At the café?"
Ryan's stomach dropped. He'd forgotten about that. Of course Marcus would remember.
"Oh. Right. Yeah." Ryan scrambled for an explanation. "The mac and cheese is... it's a special. They only make it once a month. Special occasion thing."
"Really? Once a month?"
"Yeah. It's this whole... thing they do. Limited menu item." Ryan could feel himself digging deeper. "That's why I like it so much. Because it's rare."
Marcus looked like he was trying to figure out if that made sense. But he smiled anyway. "Okay. Well, now I need to come back when they make it. You'll have to let me know."
"Sure. Yeah. I'll let you know."
"Deal." Marcus looked down at the menu. "Alright. I'll start with the French onion soup. Then the duck. And a glass of the Pinot Noir."
Ryan wrote it all down. "Good choice."
"And can I get some bread? With that olive oil and balsamic thing?"
"Of course."
"And maybe some water? With lemon?"
"Sure."
"Actually, make that sparkling water. If you have it."
Marcus was doing this on purpose. Ryan could tell. Making the order longer. Giving Ryan reasons to keep coming back to the table.
"Anything else?" Ryan asked.
"Not right now. But I'll let you know." Marcus's smile was innocent. But his eyes weren't.
Ryan walked away. He could feel Marcus watching him.
At the server station, Sara was organizing menus. She glanced at Ryan, then quickly at table eight, then back at Ryan. Her face showed something between curiosity and nervousness.
"Everything okay, boss?" she asked quietly.
"Fine. Just taking an order."
Sara nodded. But Ryan could see her eyes dart back to Marcus one more time before she walked away.
Ryan got Marcus's bread and sparkling water. Brought them to the table.
"Thank you," Marcus said. "This looks great."
Ryan set everything down. As he placed the water glass, his hand brushed against Marcus's fingers on the table.
Just barely. Just for a second.
But it felt like electricity.
Ryan pulled his hand back quickly. "Your soup will be out soon."
"No rush. I'm enjoying myself." Marcus said it while looking directly at Ryan.
Ryan's heart did something complicated in his chest. "I should... I have other tables."
"Of course. Don't let me keep you."
But the way Marcus said it made it sound like he wanted to keep Ryan there.
Ryan walked away. Checked on his other tables. Refilled drinks. Took new orders. But his mind kept going back to table eight. To Marcus sitting there. Watching him.
When the soup was ready, Ryan brought it out.
"This smells amazing," Marcus said.
"It's one of our best dishes."
"I'll trust your judgment." Marcus picked up his spoon. Took a bite. His eyes closed for a second. "Okay. You were right. This is really good."
"I'm glad you like it."
Marcus set down his spoon and looked up at Ryan. "Can I tell you something?"
"Sure."
"You look really good in that uniform."
Ryan felt his face get warm. "It's... it's just a uniform."
"Maybe. But you make it look good." Marcus's smile grew. "Very professional. Very cute."
"I'm not cute."
"You're adorable actually."
"I think you need to get your eyes checked," Ryan said. But even as the words came out, he could feel his face getting hotter. The blush spreading across his cheeks.
Marcus laughed. A real laugh that made his whole face light up. "My eyes work just fine. Trust me."
"I really need to check on my other tables."
"Okay, okay. I'll stop teasing you." But Marcus was still smiling.
Ryan brought out the duck when it was ready. Then came back to refill Marcus's water.
This time when their hands touched, Marcus reached for his glass at the same moment Ryan was pouring…. it wasn't an accident.
Marcus's fingers brushed over Ryan's knuckles. Deliberate. Slow.
Ryan's breath caught. He looked down. Marcus was watching him. Not hiding it. Not pretending.
"Sorry," Marcus said. But he didn't sound sorry at all.
Ryan pulled his hand back. "I'll... let you eat."
He walked away before he did something stupid. Like forget where he was..
No
No. Not here. Not at work.
Ryan focused on his other tables. Brought checks. Cleared dishes. Smiled at customers even though his mind was completely somewhere else.
By the time he checked on Marcus again, the duck was almost gone.
"How was everything?"
"Incredible. You weren't kidding about the food here." Marcus set down his fork. "I'm too full for dessert though. Just the check whenever you're ready."
Ryan printed the bill and brought it over. Set it down on the table.
Marcus pulled out his wallet. Put down his card. Then added cash on top. A lot of cash.
"That's way too much," Ryan said, looking at the bills.
"It's a tip. For excellent service."
"The service wasn't that excellent. I almost forgot your water twice."
"I didn't notice." Marcus stood up. "Thanks for tonight. For letting me see where you work."
"It's not that interesting."
"I thought it was very interesting." Marcus picked up his coat. "Text me later? When you get off work?"
"Okay."
"Good." Marcus started to walk away. Then stopped. Turned back. "Ryan?"
"Yeah?"
"You really do look cute in that uniform. It's adorable."
Then he left.
Ryan stood there holding the check folder. His face felt like it was on fire.
He looked toward the door. Marcus was already gone. Out into the night.
But somehow Ryan could still feel him. Still feel the warmth of his fingers. Still hear his voice saying *cute* and *adorable* like they were the most natural things in the world.
Ryan put the cash in his pocket. Way more than twenty percent. Way more than any reasonable tip.
The rest of his shift went by faster. Lighter. Like something had shifted inside him.
By the time Ryan finished cleaning his last table, it was almost ten o'clock. His feet hurt. His back ached. He'd messed up at least three more orders and dropped another fork.
But none of that mattered.
Because Marcus had been here. Had watched him work. Had called him cute.
Ryan changed out of his uniform in the back room. Put his regular clothes back on. Said goodnight to Leo and Sara.
He walked out into the cool night air. Pulled out his phone.
One new message from Marcus.
*Marcus: Made it home. Thanks again for tonight. Sleep well.*
Ryan smiled at his phone. Typed back.
*Ryan: Glad you liked it. Talk tomorrow?*
*Marcus: Definitely.*
Ryan put his phone in his pocket and started walking to his car.
For the first time since he'd started this whole pretend-to-be-a-server thing, he didn't feel like he was drowning.
He felt... good.
Like maybe he could actually do this. Be normal. Have someone in his life who saw him as just Ryan. Not the boss. Not the leader. Not someone to fear.
Just Ryan.
And maybe that was enough.