Predestined Hearts

by Kelly Elliott

  Tears were springing to my eyes. I had no idea. I watched the other people who had stayed for a minute. Another person came up and grabbed silverware and took off. I was wasting precious time with Leslie, but I had to know.

  Leslie spoke as I kept watching the frantic scene unfold in front of me, “They all have similar stories. Gael’s a good man. One of the best I’ve seen. You’re a lucky lady.”

  Looking back at Leslie, I instantly warmed to her. “I know. Now, please tell me what my friend and I can do to help. I don’t care what it is. I’ll bus dishes, serve food, sweep. You name it, I’m here.”

  The girl looked at her chart, then at the rest of the room. She wiped her brow. “If you both could bus the tables and get refill drinks for the customers that would be a huge help. I’ll let the others know you’re here to fill in if they get overwhelmed.”

  Amelia and I both said in unison, “You got it.”

  We were handed a black half apron. We tied it on our waist and got straight to work. Grabbing a plastic bin, we filled them and took them to the dishwashing area. Erica and someone I didn’t recognize were cleaning dishes. Erica saw me and blew a kiss my way before I made my way back out to the restaurant.

  With all the hustle and bustle, there wasn’t any time for idle conversation. Outwardly, the staff looked calm but an underlying stressed current could be seen in the faces as we passed by each other, out of sight of the patrons. Behind the doors, tired glances were exchanged.

  Before long, Amelia and I found our rhythm. We would fill the bin, and alternate who took it to the kitchen while the other wiped down and reset the table. We zoned out the restaurant, dividing it, so we could keep track of which people had been asked for refills. It was a fast and furious pace as people were seated, fed, and then tables cleared.

  A nearby waitress who had triple the amount of tables she normally was also serving a twelve top. She approached as I finished setting a table we’d cleaned. “Hey can you help me get everyone’s plates to them. I have five tables ready at the same time.”

  “Sure thing.” I headed to the kitchen, following the waitress’ lead. We walked through two swing doors and Gael was in the kitchen with his dad as they furiously moved about. Food cooked on the different stoves and the smells came together in perfect unison. They were speaking in a chef code that told each other what they needed. Gael glanced up and saw me. Frozen, he kept staring at me. I mouthed, we are in this together as the waitress grabbed us some trays.

  His dad nudged Gael and there was a man over in the corner. Gael knew I had come to help him, fight this fight by his side. Gael mouthed, thank you, before returning back to the task at hand. There was so much emotion that passed over his face, it had me nearly wanting to go in the kitchen, wrap my arms around him and give him the comfort he needed.

  Refocused on his cooking, Gael got busy and I followed the waitress out of the room with a loaded tray. Not spilling the food was my concern as it wobbled from the weight being loaded to the max. The rest of the night flew by in a blur as we did what we could to make the service seem like it always was.

  Hours later, I leaned against the wall as the hostess turned off all the signs and the restaurant was clean. I heaved a sigh of relief. We’d made it. Customers praised the service all night long. Steven came out from behind the bar and wrapped his hands around Amelia, who stood across the way from me. I loved my friends. They had been selfless this evening as they gave up their night to help Gael. I’d never forget it and would always be there for them in whatever way I could. Proud and tired looks were worn by everyone who had pitched in.

  Gael came out from the kitchen, followed by his mother and father. He looked stressed and utterly exhausted. First his eyes landed on me and a genuine smile spread across his face.

  All eyes were on Gael as he spoke, “We passed the health inspector.”

  With a dramatic pause everyone cheered.

  “Yes, that was a very good thing. Looks like we’ll be in business another day. What started off as a pretty shitty evening turned into something that I’ll never forget.”

  Again, he paused and I glanced around the room. The pride beaming from everyone was intoxicating. We’d come together as a team and pulled through.

  Gael rubbed his hands together as he gathered his thoughts. “Thank you for being there for me. I’ll never forget it and you’ll always have a place here at the restaurant. I’m sure everyone’s wondering what’s going to happen tomorrow. I have found three new people in the midst of all the chaos that will start in the morning. If anyone knows someone looking for a job have them come here. I’ll be here at six in the morning to start training for tomorrow night’s shift.”

  I spoke and all eyes turned my way, “I’ll work bussing tables or whatever else you need for as long as you need me.

  Steven spoke next, “I’ll be here to bartend until we have to leave.”

  Amelia then hit Steven on the stomach. “You stole my thunder.” Laughs erupted. “I’ll be here bussing tables with my best friend until we leave.”

  Gael looked my way and made his way over to me. He engulfed me in a hug and I held onto him. More people said they knew someone who needed a job. Turning back to the crowd, he addressed them. “Thank you. Tell them to come by and we’ll start. I won’t forget your loyalty.”

  One by one, the employees came by and shook Gael’s hand before leaving. There was a unity here unlike anything I’d ever experienced. Gael’s Place was family. Erica and Dave took turns giving me a tight hug.

  As Erica released me, she murmured, “Thank you for being there for my son.”

  “I always will be.”

  She paused and wiped a tear from her eye. Dave came and put his hand around his wife. “We’re going to head home. We’ll be back again tomorrow, son. As long as you need us. Both of you guys hang in there. We’ll beat this asshole.”

  “Thanks, Dad and Mom for everything. Go home and rest. Love you guys. I’m about to take my girl home.” The tender love touched me. This was what unconditional love was all about.

  His mom touched Gael’s arm. “We love you, too.”

  Next, Amelia and Steven came up. Gael stuck out his hand for Steven, then hugged Amelia. “Thanks, guys. You truly are good friends. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

  “Anytime, man. Brought me back to my college days. Maybe tomorrow you could institute a new uniform for Amelia to wear. Give me something to look at while I work.” He guffawed as Amelia hit Steven in the stomach at his words.

  She looked at Gael. “You need the best friend’s approval to date my friend. Don’t forget that.”

  Holding up his hands, Gael became neutral. “I’ll let you guys settle that on your own.”

  We all laughed. Giving a tired yawn, Amelia spoke again, “We’re going to head back to your place. I figured Steven could drive me in Aunt Leelyn’s car and you could ride with Gael, if that sounds okay.”

  I dug the keys out of my pocket. “That sounds perfect. I’ll see you guys there. The house key is the one with the blue rubber tip.”

  Taking the keys, Amelia turned to Gael. “You’re a good guy. I know you’re dealing with a bunch of shit that you don’t deserve, but I respect you for listening to your heart and not your pocketbook.”

  “Ashlin will always be my priority.” Gael hugged me closer to him to emphasize his point.

  Being next to Gael, like this, knowing what he had put up with felt right. Saying one last round of good-byes, Amelia and Steven left. We were now alone, standing in the front area. All the other lights had been turned off. The streets were vacated. Confidently, Gael came up to me. His thumbs grazed across my lips and I closed my eyes. Without warning, Gael’s lips were on mine. He was passionate as he kissed me. Any passerby would see us and I didn’t care. I was his for the taking.

  Gael’s fingers dug into my back as he brought me closer to him. The effect I had on him was evident as I felt his stiff erection against me. Our tongues collided an
d danced as we devoured each other. All of the pent-up need came spilling out.

  He placed his forehead to mine. “I want you, but not here.”

  “Please take me home.”

  Gael grabbed my hand and we were making our way quickly to the front door when he stopped and looked back me. “It meant a lot, you being here by my side tonight. I’m sorry I couldn’t call to tell you what was going on. It was all I could do to stay above water every part of the night. When I got here, everyone turned in their resignation at the same time. Then, all hell broke loose with the health inspector. Thank goodness for my dad’s foresight to put the cameras in after Harris’ first stunt.”

  I squeezed his hand. “I’m not upset you didn’t call. It was chaos. I do believe this was another attempt by Harris.”

  “I know it was him, but he won’t break me. He won’t scare me. If I had to do this every day, I would if it meant having you in my arms at night.”

  “Gael …” I smiled at his declaration.

  He kissed my hand. “I know that’s more serious than what you’re ready to hear, but you needed to know.”

  “I’m not scared. I’m not hiding anymore.” Gael returned my radiant smile with tired eyes. This time I walked and pulled him toward me. “Let’s get you home. You’ve got an early morning, baby.”

  He paused, halting me in the process. “Fuck, you’ve been sick. You have to be exhausted. Ashlin, I can’t believe I didn’t think about that.”

  I was tired, but it was worth it. “Like you said, if I get to have you, I’d do this every day. I’ll be fine as soon as Dr. Stowe examines me.”

  “I do need to give you a thorough examination.”

  We made our way out of the restaurant and to Gael’s car. I kept looking around for someone watching us with a camera for the tabloids, but didn’t see anyone. As we stood next to the car, Gael looked down into my face. “You’re beautiful. All I can think about is getting home and losing myself in you.”

  “Then drive fast.”

  We got in the car to drive home. Gael made love to me until exhaustion claimed us both. Through all our trials we had faced so far, love had won out.

  IT WAS THANKSGIVING. We were at Gael’s parents’ home, having just finished Thanksgiving dinner. The food had been unbelievable. Today had been a day of self-reflection for me. I felt truly part of the family I’d always wanted as my own. Wanting a few minutes to reflect on all that had happened, I stepped outside with my glass of wine while the family watched football. The sunsets here at Hilton Head were breathtaking.

  Life had not stopped for the last month and a half. Gael and I continued to go strong even though neither one of us had said we loved each other. It was constantly on the tip of my tongue, but I froze each time I was about to say it—afraid that I would ruin the moment or that there was a better way to proclaim how I felt. I was a total mess to say the least.

  Amelia and Steven kept in constant contact. We were planning on coming back to New York at Christmas to get all my belongings that Amelia’s father had secured for me through the court order. Sure enough, Harris had all my things boxed and couriered over to her home within twenty-four hours of getting served.

  I’m sure the last thing he wanted was for a PR situation to unfold that his ex-girlfriend had to serve him to get her stuff. Amelia and I’d shared a glass of wine over Skype as we celebrated the small victory. After all the heartache Harris had caused, even the smallest steps forward felt like a won battle.

  Since the restaurant staffing debacle, Harris had been eerily quiet. Amelia had stalked him through the papers and kept me informed. He was constantly being photographed at different events—alone and never having a date. It was disappointing and I hoped that he’d start seeing someone. It would quell the never ending nerves that resided around thinking about Harris’ actions.

  An unbelievable amount of time had been spent on trying to determine what his next move would be. Nothing ever happened. Slowly, I let myself hope that Harris had truly given up on me.

  The restaurant thrived. The majority of the new wait staff had worked out. Three weeks after the massive resignation, most of the employees who had left, came back looking for a job. Of course, their jobs were gone to, hopefully, more loyal people.

  I heard Erica laughing and I glanced toward the window as everyone pointed to the screen and spoke at the same time. Looking back out to the rays of light, I knew I was ready to take mine and Gael’s relationship to the next level. It was time and I wasn’t scared anymore.

  Gael and I had been using a condom since the one night he’d forgotten. He’d said he would let me tell him when I was ready. True to his word, there had never been any pressure from him.

  Arms wrapped around me and I leaned back into Gael’s chest. “What are you doing out here, sweetheart?”

  Contentedly, I sighed. “Just thinking what an unbelievable couple of months it’s been. Even through the worst of times, we made it through it. I was also thinking about something else.”

  Piqued by my cliffy sentence, Gael turned me around. I took the last sip of my wine. “What else were you thinking?”

  Setting the glass on the railing, I put my arms around his neck. I gave him a kiss on the lips. “I was thinking that I don’t want to use a condom anymore.”

  Gael’s eyes lit up. “Are you serious?”

  “Yes.”

  Unwrapping my arms from around his neck, Gael grabbed my wineglass from the railing, then took one of my hands in his. Pulling me through the house, he deposited the glass in the sink.

  He called out. “Mom, Dad, we are heading out. I remembered something. We’ll see you soon. Thanks for dinner. Happy Thanksgiving!”

  Erica and Dave stood, obviously confused. His mom spoke, “I thought you were staying for desert.”

  Gael already had my coat and put it on for me. It was hard not to laugh at his eager state. “Sorry, can’t. Ashlin thinks she left her straight iron thing on. Can’t have a fire hazard going.”

  I was too stunned to even respond as Gael walked us out the door. Belatedly, I called. “Thank you for dinner. Sorry I forgot about the flatiron. Happy Thanksgiving!”

  His parents chuckled from behind me. Standing at the door, Dave said, “Gael, drive carefully. Be safe. Happy Thanksgiving!”

  Before Dave finished, I was already in the car as Gael waved back. “I will.”

  Seconds later, Gael was in the car, cranking it and heading out of the driveway.

  “Gael, what has gotten into you? We had sex twice this morning before we came out here.”

  We were going fast and Gael had his full concentration on the road. “Yes, I had incredible sex twice, like always, with you this morning. But I was offered sex without a condom with you. There’s nothing better than feeling all of you wrapped around me while I give you pleasure.”

  The inside of my thighs pressed against each other as I whispered, “Hurry!”

  In record time, we were at Gael’s house on Tybee Island. We got out of the car and ran inside. Lust pumped through my veins and that other word that wanted to come to the surface. Now, didn’t seem like the right time.

  As soon as we entered, Gael turned left toward his living room where he’d read to me the first night at his house. I stopped as we entered. A white rug, lay on the floor and a low crackle in the fireplace warmed the room.

  Gael answered my silent query, “I texted my friend to start a fire when I got your coat. He owed me a favor.”

  “You had this planned? When did you set this up?” A wine bucket with ice set off to the side. Blankets were artfully piled to the side.

  “I had planned on making tonight special since it was our first Thanksgiving together. I got it all ready when I ran back inside to make that phone call to the restaurant while you waited in the car.”

  I gasped. Our first Thanksgiving. The notion was romantic beyond words.

  Ready to show Gael a surprise I had been planning for him, I took off my top revealing
a turquoise colored lace bra that accentuated my breasts. Taking off my boots and skirt, I showed him the matching lace garter that matched the top.

  “Fuck me, Ashlin. Ahh, shit. I shouldn’t talk to you like that. You are truly the most beautiful thing I have ever laid my eyes on. I have to touch you.” His hands flexed at his side as his eyes looked me over.

  Going to the blanket, I laid down. “When you touch me, I want to be able to feel you also.”

  Gael had his clothes ripped off his body as buttons danced across the floor causing me to give a little giggle. I lay back as his hands glided across my stomach and moved their way toward my breast. His mouth nudged the cup to the side as his tongue played with my nipple.

  His hardened length pressed against the sheer fabric of my panties.

  “Gael, please. Don’t make me wait.”

  Pulling away from my nipple, his other hand moved down to my panties and dipped inside, causing me to arch my back in response.

  “Oh, sweetheart, you’re ready.”

  He sat back on his heels as he ripped apart my panties. The fabric tearing had my need climbing. Gael’s erection throbbed as he positioned himself over me, still not entering.

  “You’re so beautiful. I wake up every morning and can’t believe I get to have you in my life. Ashlin …”

  I blinked as I absorbed the words and felt things changing between us. Softly, I answered. “Yes.”

  Gael looked at my face. “I love you. I’ve loved you since the first moment you became mine. Every day my love grows for you.”

  The words came from my mouth easily, grateful for the freedom. “I’ve loved you for awhile now, but was too afraid to admit it. I love you, Gael.”

  With my words, he entered me and stilled as his mouth came down to mine. “I’ll never stop loving you, Ashlin. You’re my forever.”