Chapter One

“It’s beautiful.” she gasped at her reflection. She slowly ran her fingers over the soft ivory material. The silky fabric clung loosely to her tanned skin. It wasn’t flashy or sparkly, rather, it was smooth, creamy cloth, draped over her body elegantly. Thin spaghetti straps held it, letting it fall gracefully to her ankles. Her wedding dress, the gown she would don on the happiest day of her life. She could still remember the first day she saw him all those years ago. Him...

*Flashback*
“Table 12 needs refills. Come on, hustle.” the manager barked at Gwen O’Brian as she expertly balanced four plates of steaming food in her two small arms. She quickly set the dishes in front of the respectful customers and babbled her ‘have a good meal’s’ and ‘My name is Gwen if you need anything’s’ before she darted towards the coffee machine to grab a fresh pot of coffee. She tiredly blew a few loosed strands of hair off her forehead as she heard more orders being shouted across the small, yet packed diner. It was a busy Saturday in July at Shelly’s Diner, in downtown Tampa, Florida.

“Refills?” she asked sweetly as she reached table 12. She poured two cups of steaming coffee and picked up the third mug.

“I hope that’s Decaff , dear.” the elderly woman commented. Gwen paused, the mug in her hands already half full.

“No, ma’am, I apologize, did you want decaff?” the old woman nodded. Gwen plastered a tight smile on her face as she excused herself to find the Decaff coffee. Of course, they were fresh out, so Gwen had to make a fresh pot. This action taking her and extra five minutes. By the time she returned to the table, she could tell the woman was a little peeved. Still, she thanked Gwen for the drink and took a sip, returning to her conversation with the others at her table.

“Gwendalyn! Table 3 is still waiting on their meals.” the manager bellowed. Gwen nodded quickly and dashed into the kitchen to check on the food. She delivered the food to table 3 and was heading to the restroom when she heard her name being called again. Heaving a sigh, she turned around and headed back into the bustling dining room.

“Yeah?” she asked tiredly.

“Table 8 needs to be bussed.” the robust man said pointing to the messy table.

“I thought that was the bus boy’s job.” Gwen said as politely as possible, through clenched teeth. The man raised an eyebrow...testing her.

“True, but our bus boy is a little in disposed at this particular moment, therefore, I take the next best thing. A waitress. Now, if you will...” he said, his hand still outstretched towards the table.

“Of course.” Gwen responded, pushing past the burly manager to tend to the table, piled with dirty dished and used napkins.

“At eighteen, this is the only worth while summer job I could find?!” she muttered to herself as she dragged a tub over to the table and began piling the dirty dishes in it. “Why couldn’t I get a job as some nursery, tending to roses, to save for college?” she asked herself as she wiped her forehead with her wrist. She finished clearing the table and made her way to the back to dispose of the dishes. She grabbed a wash cloth on her way back into the dining room and quickly wiped down the table. “Finally.” she said tossing the washcloth into a bucket of suds under the front desk. She leaned against it, taking a breather. Minutes passed quickly and she knew she had to get back to work. She straightened up, preparing to step back into the busy atmosphere, leaving her quite place behind the cash register. The bell chimed, signaling a new customer. She silently cursed as she turned towards the door. She froze. There he was. Something in side of her just knew...this was him. This was the enitre reason she had acquired this grueling job. She watched him intently as he spoke quietly to another waitress, and then followed her to a table in the corner. He moved with such grace, his movements slow and careful. She was mesmerized by this man. He sat down in his booth, smiled at the waitress and began leafing through his menu. He was gorgeous. That was the only word Gwen could find to describe him, yet that did him no justice. He was tall, but wasn’t particularly built. He looked...comfortable, like someone who she could cuddle up with and feel safe and warm. His hair was blond and spiked, giving him a youthful look. His eyes...she couldn’t see them well, but the sun shining in through the window next to him reflected brightly in them.

“Blue.” she thought to herself. “They must be blue.” as smile formed on her pink lips as she watched him scratch his head, his brow furrowing as he weighed possible food selections. He slowly raised his arm and rubbed the back of his neck. A small movement, but it caused Gwen to smile even more. He looked so innocent, yet so mature. His face looked young and boyish, yet there was something about him that showed he had been through a lot. She looked him over, taking in his wardrobe. Black dress pants, black shoes, and a black T-shirt. He looked casual yet classy.

“Gwen! Don’t just stand there...let’s go! This is a restaurant...not a rest stop!” the manager screamed again. Gwen felt a blush creep into her cheeks. She glanced back at the man and found him looking at her. She crimsoned even more. He gave her a small, innocent smile before going back to his menu. Gwen watched for a few more seconds before darting back into the kitchen to grab more orders.

He read re-read the same line in his menu for the fifth time before he brought himself to look in her direction again. She was gone. He cursed silently, his eyes darting around the diner, looking for her beautiful face. He had been taken by complete surprise when his eye had caught hers moments before. It was an amazing and unfamiliar feeling... it seemed as though they had just melted into one another with one stray glance. Her waitressing uniform was wrinkled and splattered with stains, and her hair was falling out of her hair band, framing her face with wavy blond tendrells...she looked like an angel in disguise. He sighed, and returned his attention to his menu..hoping that she’d reappear soon.

Gwen delivered more orders and headed back to the kitchen when she was stopped by another waitress. “Gwen, I’ve gotta leave early, do you think you could take over my tables for a little while. The waitress for the next shift should be here soon. Please?” a middle aged brunette asked as she untied her apron. “Thanks, you’re a lifesaver. Keep any tips you get.” she finished tossing her apron behind the front desk as she grabbed her jacket. Gwen didn’t get a chance to decline.

“Damnit!” she scolded herself as she checked which tables she had to manage now. A smile formed on her face when she realized HE was sitting at one of her new tables. She grabbed an order pad and made her way over to the man.

“Welcome to Shelly’s Diner, what can I get you to drink?” she recited her usual greeting. He looked up at her, his eyes, wide with surprise, meeting hers. Blue.

“Ah...I’ll take a Mountain Dew.” he replied. Gwen smiled softly as she scribbled his order on her pad.

“Are you ready to order?”

“Hmmm...I think so.” he said smiling. She let out a deep breath at the sound of his voice. It was beautiful. Soft, sweet, smooth, with just a hint of gruffness.

“Alrighty, order away.” Gwen said, readying her pen.

“Well actually....I need a little advice.” Gwen raised an eyebrow but nodded. He glanced down at the menu and pointed out his selections. “See, I can’t decide between the Shelly’s Special, or the Deluxe Burger. Which would you recommend??” he asked, returning his gaze to her. She felt her face warm again, but brushed it off.

“Um...the Deluxe Burger is pretty good...it’s a hamburger and fries with coleslaw on the side. Shelly’s Special, though, is larger and has Shelly’s Sauce on it. Plus the side stuff, fries and coleslaw, again. I would recommend the Special.”

“Special it is.” he said laughing. What a wonderful sound. He handed her his menu and smiled. “Thank you.....Gwendalyn.” he said tilting his head to read her nametag. The angelic name fit her perfectly.

“No problem.” Gwen took the menu from his hands and made her way to the kitchen to place his order. She floated her way around the restaurant until his food was ready, and she delivered it to him.

“Thanks.” he said as she sat the plate piled with hot food in front of him. He smiled.

“Can I get you anything else?” she asked. His eyes met hers again, for what seemed to be the hundredth time that day. He smiled as he lost himself in the pools of green. “Sir?” she asked again, bringing him back to earth.

“What? Oh, sorry. Nope, I think I’m all set. But, one thing..”

“Yes?”

“I’m Nick.” he said extending his hand. Gwen heart fluttered a little but she extended her hand to his. His palm was warm and strong. His skin was callused, yet soft. His touch triggered a tingly feeling up her arm.

“You can call me Gwen then.”

“Gwen...I like Gwendalyn better, but alright.” Gwen smiled shyly, their hand still clasped over his food.

“No one has ever heard of my name before. Gwendalyn, I mean. My parents made it up. But anyways, I better leave you with your meal, I don’t want my manager to see me taking another break.” she said laughing nervously.

“Yeah, I heard him before. Tough guy, huh?” Nick commented as he released his hand from hers, mentally ignoring the chills her touch gave him.

“You’re not kidding.” Gwen said rolling her eyes.

“Why do you work here if he’s like that?” Nick asked honestly.

“I was thinking the same thing about five minutes before you walked in. Saving for college...but still. I don’t know why I picked this place.”

“Well, it is a nice place..the management is just a little...hard.” Nick said looking over his plate.

“You all set?”

“Looks that way.”

“Alright, enjoy your meal. If you need anything my name is-”

“Gwen, I know.” Nick said cracking a smile. Gwen blushed.

“Habit I guess. I have to say it every time I deliver a meal. Sorry.” Gwen said looking anywhere but at Nick. He smiled at her shyness.

“Sokay..I understand.” he replied reaching for the ketchup.

“Yeah, so..um...enjoy.” Gwen finished quickly, retreating back to the cash register. She breathed deeply for a few moments. Whenever she was around him..all logic and reason flew out the window. She froze up, made a fool of herself. She mentally scolded herself for making a mistake in front of him. She saw the manager making his way over to her, so she quickly darted back into the kitchen to keep busy until Nick was finished.

Twenty minutes later Gwen ducked out of the kitchen to check on her tables. Nick sat, looking out the window, an empty plate in front of him. He would raise his cup every so often, taking another straw full of soda, oblivious to anything around him. He was off in his own little world. Gwen smiled, stopping in front of him. He didn’t notice.

“Nick?” she asked softly. He looked up at her.

“Sorry, I was just thinking.”

“Quite alright. Can I take your plate?”

“Course.” he said lifting his arms up so she could remove the dirty plate from his table. “It was good. Thanks for the advice.” he smiled.

“Not a problem. Can I get you anything else?” she asked him politely.

“Nope, I’m all set.” He said shifting in his seat. She nodded and tore his check from her order pad, handing it to him. “If you’re ready to go, I can check you out at the register.” she offered. He nodded and stood up to follow her. She dropped his plate in the tub on her way to the front desk. He handed her his credit card and watched her type in his totals and subtotals. She waited patiently as the receipt slowly slipped out of the machine. She handed him a pen and watched him sign it. She looked down at his full name. Nickolas Carter. It sounded familiar. She shrugged it off as she gave him a copy of the receipt.

“You’re all set.”

“Thank you.” He said smiling. He turned towards the door preparing to leave. Gwen held her breath. She was sure he was going to be the one....maybe she was wrong. He placed his hand on the door, but stopped, and returned to the front desk.

“Forget something?” Gwen asked him smiling.

“Yeah, you’re phone number.” Nick said laughing. Gwen exhaled the breath she had been holding.

“My number?” she asked.

“Yeah...I was wondering if you’d like to go out sometime...” Nick drifted off.

“Yeah, that’d be nice. Here.” Gwen said finding a scrap piece of paper. Scribbling her phone number down, she handed it to Nick. “Call me anytime after three...that’s when my shift ends.”

“Great, I will. It was nice meeting you, Gwendalyn.” he said nodding his head at her. She smiled back as he left the restaurant. That was him...
*End Flashback*

“Gwendalyn, that’s it.” Gwen’s mother, Anne, commented as she slowly circled her daughter, analyzing every stitch and seam.

“I know, isn’t it just exquisite?”

“Indeed, it is. Imagine the look on Nick's face when he sees you in this.”

“He’ll be gorgeous, as always.” Gwen sighed.

“So, you want this one?”

“Mmm hmmm.” Gwen mumbles as she turned in a slow circle to see the back view, the side view. It was just...perfect.

“Wonderful, dress is bought!” Anne said clasping her hands to her chest as she admired her daughter. “It’s amazing. My beautiful daughter is twenty-three and getting married to a wonderful man.” she said brushing a strand of hair behind Gwens’ ear.

“Very wonderful man.” Gwen said smiling at her reflection in the mirror again. “My very wonderful man.”


Chapter Two
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