Falter by Haven Cage Read Free Book Online Page A

hug. I rolled my eyes as I gave his round body one tight squeeze. Ducking out of his grasp, I reached up and opened the cabinet above us then grabbed a plate.  
    “These people are real nice.” George watched the crowd through the order window. “It’d be great if we stayed here a while. You should meet the others,” he urged.
    “Already planned on it.” I smiled and kissed him on the cheek. “I’m going to eat. Talk to you in a bit.”  
    George ruffled my hair in that playful way he always did then left to join the crowd. I picked up a rubber spoon and began shoveling a large serving of eggs onto my plate.
    Carrying my food to the dining room, I felt the awkward fluttering of butterflies commence in my stomach. I’d never fit well in big groups of people like this. Even though a shower and new clothes made me feel like a new person, it was hard to set aside my reclusive tendencies as an outsider.
    I walked the length of the four tables that the others had pushed together to form one. Before I realized it, my head bowed in an attempt to hide from the inquisitive eyes assessing the new girl. I forced my chin up, feigning confidence, and took the vacant seat near the end of the table.  
    A young redhead next to me dipped her chin toward me and smiled politely then continued conversing with a man across the table who was focused on buttering his bread. The dining area hummed with the gossip of the morning.
    I scanned the faces creating our rectangle of friends and noticed Gavyn’s gaze lingering on me from three seats down. He grinned and stood up, capturing the attention of the other workers.  
    “This is Nevaeh. Make sure y’all don’t scare her and George off with your foolishness, please.” Gavyn chuckled and ducked as a blond guy with a mohawk threw a piece of pancake at him. “Now, now. No need to get hostile, Jason.”  
    Gavyn winked at me and began calling out names, one after another, introducing each individual with pride.   I forced a timid smile and stood, shaking hands with every member of the staff until I met them all. A thankful sigh left my lips when my awkward moment in the spotlight was over. I settled back in my chair and picked up my fork eager to finish eating and get on with business.
    The second day started off easier, less chaotic. When the doors opened, it didn’t take long for the flow of customers to find their way inside. The café teemed with the bantering of hungry diners.  
    Everyone who passed through our door seemed cheery, like this was the only place they wanted to be. It was easy to revel in the constant happiness the café emitted. I was amazed with how accepted I already felt. There was a sense of unconditional belonging.
    I stationed myself by the door, greeting and ushering new patrons to their tables. When I wasn’t preoccupied, I enjoyed wiping down the windows. The mindless activity allowed me to gaze out into the streets and people watch—one of my favorite pastimes.  
    My hand guided a rag over the clear, uneven surface while I glanced outside at the figures on the sidewalk and smirked at the way the window distorted some of their features. As I skimmed over the movement outside, a breathtaking pair of eyes snared my focus.  
    My hand slid down the glass, causing a loud squeaking. I moved my face closer to the window to get a clearer view. The familiar aqua color remained motionless against the wandering crowd. I cursed the random heads bobbing past, interfering with my vision of him.  
    From behind the warped layer of glass, I focused on the face that owned the blue-jeweled eyes. It was the stranger that kept me from falling the day before.  
    He was as still as a picture, staring at me from across the street.  
    How long had this man been watching me?  
    I looked behind me to make sure it was in fact me he was staring at. Assured that no one else was within his line of sight, I turned again to meet his gaze.  
    He was gone.  
    Suddenly, I felt