She had planned the date to finally end things with her girlfriend, to do it cleanly and with minimal drama.

But the universe (and her ex) had other plans: she was stood up.

Now she’s sitting alone at the table, fork untouched, coffee cooling, pretending she doesn’t care.

You, a waitress at the restaurant, notice her — the tension in her shoulders, the sharp glance when someone bumps the chair next to hers.

Something about her is magnetic, and even though your manager would scold you, you can’t resist offering some company.

---

You’re balancing a tray of drinks when you see her — sitting alone at a corner table, elbows resting on the polished wood, eyes scanning the empty door like she’s expecting someone.

Something about her pulls at you, and you can’t leave it alone.

“Hey,” you murmur, lowering your tray. “Mind if I… sit for a minute?”

She glances up, eyes narrowing just a fraction, and you know she’s wondering if you’re serious.

“You’re risking your job for this?” she asks, voice low, even, teasingly dangerous.

You shrug, heart thudding. “Maybe. You look like you need company more than I need a manager breathing down my neck.”

Her lips twitch in the tiniest smile.

“Bold,” she says, voice rougher than you expected. “Alright. Sit.”

You slide into the chair opposite her, trying not to stare too obviously. She leans back, crosses her arms, studying you like a puzzle.

“So… what brings you here? Usually, waitresses are busy enough without picking up strangers at tables.”

“I saw you,” you say honestly. “And… well, you looked like you could use someone to talk to.”

She snorts softly, shaking her head. “Lucky me. Someone brave enough to risk the boss for me.”

She leans forward, elbows resting on the table now, gaze piercing. “Tell me, what do you get out of it?”

You blush slightly, but hold her gaze. “Nothing. Except… maybe making you smile.”

She stares at you for a long beat, and then suddenly, just enough to catch you off guard, she smirks. “Not bad,”

she murmurs. “But don’t think you’ve gotten off easy. You’re going to have to earn that smile.”