The Café

Chapter 10

Friday.

I was back at the café. My wounds had completely healed as if it had never happened, but I found my self being cautious when walking through town alone.

"Order!" Sam yells from the kitchen. I walk over to collect it.

"Table?" I ask Sam as I collect the plates.

"Old guy. Table 3." Sam answers, nodding in the tables direction before looking down at me curiously. "So, what's the go with Tom?" He asks bluntly.

I shrug my shoulders.

"Just be careful there Sis. I don't want to see you get hurt. What happens when he continues his tour in a few weeks and you stay here?" Sam says sternly. It isn't often that Sam gets all big brother-y so I know he really means it.

"Don't worry so much Sam." I assure him. "It's just nice to have some attention." I add truthfully. Sam nods indicating he was happy he has said what he needed to say.

The day continued much the same as every other work day. Making coffees, delivering plates, cleaning, listening to Mum harp on about Sam and I finding out mates, and Sasha and Sam flirting.

"I thought you would have learnt your lesson." I remark to Sam when collecting more plates.

"Who? Me? Never!" Sam laughs. "Table of hotties. 6" He hands me another plate while winking to Sasha on the other side of the room.

I turn to see the same girls from the other day. The red leggings girl is here too.

Walking over to the table I overhear their discussion. Even in hushed tones I could pick up what they were saying.

"Surely it's not her." The blonde says looking around the café sheepishly.

"I swear! Penny, Evans mate told her! She's the one!" The red head answers, clearly getting agitated at her friends.

"Well she is pretty... and she has always been nice to us." The blonde replied thoughtfully.

"But she's plain!" The red leggings girl (who annoyingly isn't wearing red leggings today) butts in angrily. "She isn't even high up in the pack, she's a bloody waitress for gods sake!" She almost yells. Everyone in the café turns to see what all the noise is about.

All three girls turn to glare at me. Its then I realise I am the plain waitress they are talking about. I wasn't sure whether to continue handing them their food or pretend it was for another table.

My curiosity got the better of me.

I place the plates on the table silently then turn to walk away before the red leggings girl grabs my arm. She is squeezing a bit too tight for my liking. I try to twist my wrist out of her hold but her eyes just turn colder.

"You?" She asks me coldly.

"Me?" I question, still unsure what we are talking about. All I know is that I'm involved somehow.

"Tom Price is telling people to stay away from you?" She snaps at me. I groan as I realise what is going on here.

"I don't know." I answer shyly, looking to the other girls for assistance. It was clear I would be waiting a while.

"Well you must know something!" She groans, "How can a weak, shy girl like you get Tom's attention? Was it the damsel in distress act you played the other day?" She quizzes me. I can feel the anger radiating off of her.

I've had enough of this, I yank my hand free of her grasp, feeling the blood rush to the places where her fingers had been, and let out a low warning growl. My wolf is pacing getting wound up.

"I'm sorry you haven't been enough to keep Tom's attention but I really don't know what to tell you. We are just friends. That is all I know." I reply before turning on my heel and walking back to the kitchen.

When I get into the kitchen and close the door I lean back onto the cool, brick wall to calm myself down. I really do not like confrontation but I just snapped. Why should I stand there and take that? All for a guy that I don't even really know! My blood was boiling. Sam comes in clapping with a huge smile on his face.

"You totally kicked arse!!!" He congratulates me. Patting me on the shoulder.

"Thanks." I say meekly. Honestly, I was quite proud of myself too.

"What freaks." Sam sighs, leaning on the wall beside me. "Pity... they were pretty hot." He chuckles to himself. He clears his throat and goes back to the stove when he realises his joke wasn't well received.

"Too soon." I reply to him. He throws a quick wink at me in reply.

Once we had closed for the night, I head into the office to count up the till with Mum.

"Remember I am not in tomorrow- I'm headed to the beach." I remind her.

She looks up and me and smiles, "I remember, Ian is covering."

We continue counting for a little while in silence before Mum speaks again.

"Do you think Tom is your mate?"

My mate? Obviously I had never felt a mate bond before but I imagined there wouldn't be a pros and cons list along with it.

"I don't think so." I answer truthfully. The hope doesn't dim from her eyes.

"Do you feel anything when he touches you?" Mum asks.

"I feel warm." I reply. Remembering the electric fireworks I feel when Link's and my hands touched.

"Do you find yourself attracted to him? Like you just want to touch him?" Mum asks.

"I mean, he is attractive." I shrug. Remembering the way I just wanted to run up to Link and throw my arms around him.

"And his scent? Does it absolutely blow you off of your feet?" Mum asks again.

"It's pancakes and vanilla. It's nice." I answer, all the while thinking of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.

Mum deliberates for a few minutes.

"Is there anyone else who fits those questions?" She asked me, I can see the curiosity in her eyes. I usually tell my Mum everything but I didn't even know what I was telling.

"I'm not sure." I lie but she 100% knows.

"Tess, I know we have talked about the mate bond before and you know how special it is. But sometimes a chosen mate is just as special. If you really do like Tom maybe this is something to consider." Mum pauses, "In saying that, if there is someone who fits the criteria we just spoke about, don't even hesitate. The time I got to spend with your father was the most amazing time. You just feel whole. There is no other way to describe it." I see the tears well up in her eyes mentioning Dad.

I decide to let her in on the madness that is my mind at the moment.

"Is it possible to have a real mate and feel something for another as well?" I am stuck on why is can feel something for Tom, all be it inferior, and feel something for Link.

Mum looks at her hands in thought.

"Love and lust are 2 very different things Tess. Just make sure you aren't confusing them." She answers before returning to counting the money.