~~~
“Nikki, come to me,” whispered the smooth, masculine voice in my ear.
I opened my eyes to find that I was in a forest wearing a billowy, white nightgown. I stood up and began walking in my bare feet. As I looked down, I noticed sharp pieces of broken glass cutting into my skin, which was now bleeding.
“Hurry,” prodded the voice. It was strong and demanding; it pushed me forward, one foot after another.
“Nikki!” yelled Duncan.
“Duncan?” I whispered, turning around.
“Wait, Nikki!” he cried, running towards me. I watched in amazement as he kept moving without making any progress.
There was a rush of movement and my heart began to race; I knew who it was. He’d come back for me. “Ethan?”
Someone grabbed my shoulders and started digging their sharp nails into my skin. I was shoved roughly to the ground and the shadow jumped on top of me. “Amy?” I whispered in horror.
Amy’s eyes were filled with hate. “He’s mine,” she growled, her slit wrists bleeding onto my white dress. She opened her mouth and her pointy fangs closed in on my neck.
I opened my eyes and let out a shaky breath. Just a dream.
Someone rapped on my door.
“Hey, twerp!”
“Yeah, come in,” I mumbled, sitting up.
“Get ready,” said Nathan. “I have to drop you off early at the diner. Mom needs the car as soon as I get back from purchasing a battery.”
I looked at my alarm clock. It was already after two o’clock. “Okay,” I said.
His eyes narrowed. “Are you doing okay?”
“Just a little tired.”
He pointed at me. “Don’t leave the diner after dark unless Duncan is with you.”
“Yeah, okay.”
He stared at me for a minute and then nodded. “I’ll be outside waiting for you. You have a half hour to get ready.”
“Okay, I’ll hurry.”
I took a quick shower, put my uniform on, and spent a little extra time with my makeup. Then I pinned my damp hair up and stared into the mirror. I had to admit, I was definitely beginning to look more like my mother every day. I decided it was a good thing and smiled.
Nathan laid on the horn outside and I rushed out to meet him in mom’s car.
“Makeup, huh? Trying to get more tips?” smirked Nathan.
I shrugged. “I could certainly use the money.”
“I hear you. So, what do you think about last night? Pretty crazy, huh?”
“It was freaky, that’s for sure. I still don’t know what happened, exactly.”
“I’m starting to think we really do have ghosts lurking around the cabin. That could be the real reason why mom’s renting it so cheap.”
“Makes sense.”
We drove the rest of the way in silence and he dropped me off in front of the diner, warning me to stay put when my shift was over.
“You worry too much,” I said. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll wait for Duncan.”
“Here’s Duncan’s cell phone number,” he said, handing me a slip of paper. “If there’s a problem, call me or him.”
“Okay, thanks.”
When he finally drove off, I went into the diner and ran into Rosie in the back room.
“How’s it going, Nikki?”
I smiled. “Pretty good. We were really swamped yesterday so Susan didn’t get a chance to show me too much.”
“Yeah, I heard. Since you’re early, I’ll go over some things with you, myself.”
“Thanks.”
Rosie went over the menus and showed me how to write up meal tickets. Then she gave me some pointers on how to juggle multiple tables and get them in and out as quickly as possible. When we were done, my head was spinning, but I felt like I was starting to get a little handle on things.
“Don’t worry. It’s going to take a while, but you’ll get used to it. And, honey, don’t be afraid to tell the customers you’re new. They’ll have more patience and might even tip you better.”
“Oh, I’m all for that. Thanks.”
“You’ll do just fine here,” she said, patting me on the shoulder. “Just do your best, and eventually things will fall together.”
I smiled in pleasure. “Thanks, Rosie.”
When Susan showed up, I shadowed her for half the day, and then I was given a couple of my own tables.
“You’re doing great,” said Rosie, after I served a large platter of food to one of my tables. “Keep it up.”
“Thanks.”
The time flew by quickly and by the time my shift was over, I’d made almost thirty dollars in tips. I was so giddy that I texted Nathan, who was happy for me.
“Listen, is there any way you can work a little later tonight?” asked Rosie, as I was about to punch out. “We could really use you until eleven o’clock. Darlene called in sick and I need all the help I can get. Since it’s Friday night, we’re going to get slammed soon.”
“Okay. Let me call my ride and let him know. I’m sure it will be fine.”
I grabbed my phone and called Duncan.
“Okay,” he said, after I explained why they needed my help. “I’ll be there promptly at eleven, though I’ll expect a tip.”
I giggled. “I think I can manage that.”
We had a rush of customers around nine o’clock, and I was running ragged, trying to keep my orders right and not piss anyone off. By the time it was ten-thirty, I heaved a sigh of relief; the diner was finally clearing out.
“We usually get another big rush after the bars close,” said Susan. “Just be thankful you’re not working those customers. When they’re not trying to pick you up, they’re puking in the corner. It’s really disgusting.”
I grimaced. “I bet.”
“Funny thing is, they usually tip better,” she said, “because they’re drunk and feeling extra generous. But, to me, it isn’t really worth it.”
Thinking about my mom last night and practically having to babysit her, I agreed. I then took out my tips and started counting it when Susan swore.
“What?” I said, looking up.
It was Ethan, followed by his clan. His eyes met mine and he smiled.
“Hey,” whispered Susan, noticing the exchange. “Do you know him?”
“Um, not really,” I said.
“Looks like they’re in your section tonight, Nikki,” said Rosie, “they usually only order coffee, though, so it should be a piece of cake.”
I took a deep breath and walked up to their table.
“Hello,” I said, handing out menus. “Can I start anyone out with something to drink?”
Ethan put his elbows on the table, clasped his fingers, and rested his chin on there. “Coffee for all of us, please, Nikki.”
Remembering the effect he had on me, I averted my eyes. “And will you want food, or should I take away the menus?”
“Well,” chuckled Ethan. “What I want probably isn’t on the menu.”
Oh, my God.
Our eyes met and I swear I could feel a charge of static electricity between us. It was eerie.
“You look beautiful tonight. As usual,” he said softly.
The carnal promises he held in his smoldering eyes were raw and made my heart race. I took a step backwards, trying to catch my breath, and dropped my pen.
“Everything okay here?” interrupted Rosie, coming towards us.
Ethan looked away and I grabbed the back of an empty chair to steady myself.
“Yeah, Rosie,” smiled Ethan. “Just being friendly with the new waitress.”
She smiled. “Now don’t be giving young Nikki here a hard time. It’s only her second day.”
For some reason, Rosie wasn’t affected by Ethan’s magnetic stare.
“Oh, don’t worry about Nikki, Rosie. She’s in good hands with me.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” she chuckled. “So, Nikki, why don’t you go pour some coffee for these boys.”
I cleared my throat. “Okay,”
I grabbed six coffee cups and glanced towards Ethan’s minions. I watched, curiously, as Rosie continued talking to Ethan while the rest of the guys seemed content just listening to the exchange, never actually joining in on the conversation. All were tall, pale, and rivaled any of the male models I’d seen in magazines. None of them compared to Ethan, however. His animal magnetism was enough to make me forget everything else.
“It’s getting late,” said Rosie, coming up to the counter. “Why don’t you let me finish waiting on these guys and you can take off?”
I nodded, not quite trusting myself to talk.
Without another glance towards Ethan, I hurried to the break room, removed my apron, and grabbed my purse. When I turned around, I was staring into Ethan’s sultry eyes.
“Oh,” I gasped.
“Leaving so soon?” he asked me, stepping closer. I moved backwards until my back hit the wall.
“I really have to go,” I squeaked.
He touched my face and his eyes searched mine. “I’ve been searching for so long. I can’t believe that I’ve finally found you.”
My eyes widened. “Excuse me? I don’t understand what you mean.”
“You will.” He closed his eyes and inhaled. “You smell so sweet.”
I was so confused; my head was spinning and my stomach whirled. “I… what’s happening?”
Ethan opened his eyes again and smiled. “You’ll understand… in time.”
Suddenly his mouth was on mine again, and as before, I couldn’t resist his kisses. Our lips moved hungrily together and I moaned in pleasure, wanting him closer. I ran my hands up his back and into his hair, pulling his mouth harder against mine. But then he stopped abruptly and pulled away.
“I… I have to go and take care of something,” he said thickly.
“Your eyes…” I whispered. They were still blue but glowed brightly with something that reminded me of fire.
He backed away from me, breathing heavily. “Leave your balcony door open tonight.”
Then in a flash he was gone and I was left feeling frustrated and more alone then I’d ever felt before.
Chapter Seventeen
Dark Dreams Page 57