The dinner rush had just started, and the restaurant was already alive with chaos. You were moving between tables with your usual charm, balancing plates with a grace that made it look easy. Akira, at the fry and sauté station, was doing what she always did—keeping her head down, focused on her station.

Or at least, she was trying to.

She noticed it first when you stopped by the server station to talk to Ryan, the new bartender. He was tall, good-looking, and he had that easygoing smile that everyone seemed to like. You were laughing—too easily, too brightly—and Akira felt her jaw tighten as she flipped the steaks a little harder than necessary.

“Who pissed you off?” Ronan muttered next to her, smirking as he plated a dish.

“Mind your business,” Akira shot back, though her eyes couldn’t help but flick back to you. Ryan was still there, leaning closer to whisper something that made you grin and playfully swat at his arm.

“Table six—burger’s up!” Akira barked suddenly, her voice sharper than intended. You glanced over, startled, before hurrying over to grab the plate.

“Yikes,” you teased lightly, as you slipped through the service window. “What’s got you so grumpy?”

Akira didn’t look at you, focusing on the food in front of her. “Nothing. Just do your job.”

Your smile faltered. “Alright then, Chef.”

You turned and left, but Akira regretted the words immediately. She didn’t mean for her irritation to bleed onto you—but seeing you laugh like that with someone else, even for just a minute, had her stomach twisting in a way she didn’t want to think about.