CHAPTER 48: THAT’S ALL A TECHNICALITY

The front door chimes as a small group of people enter the restaurant. Ethan almost calls out a greeting as it became a habit, but when the girl at the front counter does it before him, he remembers that he’s not there to work. He presses his lips together and turns his gaze down to the textbook open in front of him. The words blur together, and no matter how many times he blinks to clear his vision, it doesn’t work.

"My brain hurts." Ethan groans. He drops his head on the open page of the study book he’s working on, his brown hair fanning out across it.

Sitting in the seat across from him, Leo has his phone in his hand as he texts someone with a wide grin on his face. The case on it glitters with every tilt, and the sticker on the bottom has worn out to a faded outline.

"Can you just hit me in the head so I pass out?" Ethan continues to complain. When Leo doesn’t reply right away, Ethan rolls his eyes and glances around the restaurant. It’s a busy morning, with people walking in and out in a constant stream. Standing at the front counter is one of the new hires. She got the hang of her duties quickly, and hardly makes mistakes from what Ethan has seen. Roxanne hired three people in total, all of which are just as hard working as the first.

Leo snorts,drawing the betas attention back to him. His blue eyes are still glued to the screen of his phone, "Better ask someone else. You know I don’t hit too hard."

Ethan blinks, then realizes he’s giving a late response to what he said earlier. He groans again, "You know what," He straightens his back and slams the textbook closed, the sound full in the loud atmosphere around them. "I think I’m done for today."

Leo finally drags his gaze away from his phone to look at Ethan. "You just started though." He arches a pale eyebrow at him. He glances down at the studious mess on the table and frowns. "Honestly, I don’t blame you. Business is a horrendous course."

"Sh," Ethan organizes his notes as he puts them away in the backpack beside him. "No one else has to know. I have two and a half months to do this. I’ll be fine."

Leo blinks at him. When his phone vibrates, he glances down at it and giggles.

"Okay," Ethan rolls his eyes and nudges the omega with his show from under the table. "What is all this?" Ethan waves at Leo’s giddy face, his lips curling in distaste. "You’ve been acting like a little school boy all morning."

Leo’s smile drops as he puts on a stoic face, "I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m always like this."

Ethan scoffs and leans back. He doesn’t say anything as one of the hires places a mug of steaming coffee in front of him. Ethan gives a smile and then when they walk away, he says, "It’s a little too late to act all unaffected." Ethan snorts as he brings the hot drink to his lips. "Come on, spill it."

Leo’s smile returns in full force, his cheeks flushing red. He leans forward, his phone gripped tight in his hands, and his blond hair brushing against his forehead. "Max and I are officially dating!" He gushes out.

Ethan’s jaw drops and he blinks. He gently puts his mug back down, "What? How in the world did that happen? You were just complaining about him stalking you a month ago. You were hiding underneath the front counter just to avoid him!"

"Sh!" Leo glances around to make sure no one overhears. "I mean, that’s all a technicality."

Ethan scoffs and he holds up his coffee, "Me drinking a caramel flavoured drink is a technicality. Stalking is a crime."

Leo scowls at him, "I don’t know," Leo grumbles. "He’s a man who doesn’t give up. And he’s such a gentleman." he sighs wistfully.

Ethan raises an eyebrow and then shrugs, "Well, then I’m happy for you, I guess. But don’t haunt me if he happens to murder you." .

"Come on, don’t say that!" Leo pouts. His phone vibrates on the table and the omega glances down at it. When it vibrates again, Ethan rolls his eyes.

"Just text him back already before he turns your phone into a vibrating dildo." Ethan sighs. He picks up his drink and sips at it.

A shadow falls over the table as someone pauses beside their table. When Ethan looks up at who it is, he’s surprised to see it’s Chris. The omega smiles and tucks a long strand of blond hair behind his ears. He smells of tropical lotion, a fruity tinge that reminds him of a cocktail.

"Hey!" Ethan exclaims. When was the last time he saw Chris? Now that he thinks about it, he has his number. He chews on his lower lip, he’s been so focused on the restaurant and getting things in order before going back to his college classes that he forgot about his new omega friend. Then again, if Chris wanted to chat he would have texted him. "It’s been a while, hasn’t it?"

"Yeah!" Chris grins, his pearly white teeth sparkling. He reaches up to rub the back of his neck, his hair swishing over his shoulders, "Is it okay if I sit with you? Everywhere else is taken." He points at the lobby behind him.

Ethan glances around in surprise to see that Chris is right. All the tables are occupied. Business is going well, then.

"Yeah, sit down." Leo answers as he scoots closer to the window and pats the spot beside him. Chris glances at Ethan and then takes the seat.

"You’re not working today?" He asks, resting his hands on the surface of the table.

"Ah, no." Ethan smiles. He lifts his drink and sips at it. "I’m going back to school soon, so I’m trying to focus on that."

"It’s going poorly." Leo snickers. His phone vibrates and he giggles at whatever Max has sent him.