Chp 15
Annabeth's POV
I sent a cheeky grin Liam's way as I walked into the diner the next day. Marly and Finn exchanged glances but didn't say anything. I hung up my jacket and put my bag in the locker before we all walked to the front. We grabbed cloths and went to tables.
Marly looked between us and glanced at Larry before asking in a hushed tone, "You two didn't, you know, do something last night, did you?" She asked, looking a little flushed.
We both protested. "No, I was with Percy and he was with my dorm mate Bree." I said. Liam blushed deeply and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Annabeth, I'm so sorry for, you know, us, um, walking-" he stuttered but I laughed. "I'm just happy I got my bed to sleep in and you two 'settled down for coffee' in the lounge." I teased.
Finn grinned. "You walked in on Liam and this Bree girl doing - whatever?" He asked, nudging his friend. He looked uncomfortable but replied.
"Technically she and Percy were there in the dorm room already. And I'm more interested in what we prevented happening." Liam said, trying to turn the attention to me.
Marly raised an eyebrow at me. "What were you and Percy up to Ann?" She asked, looking innocent. I threw my head back laughing and shook my head.
"That doesn't matter." I tried but Liam said, "No, I can't get embarrassed due to me preventing a possible inappropriate scene." I blushed and turned back to wiping down tables.
"I don't know what you mean. Of course you wouldn't know, you were too busy sucking faces with Bree and shrugging off your jacket." I said, smirking as his whole face went red in embarrassment.
"Liam's got game." Finn said, his jock side coming out as he playfully punched Liam in the shoulder. "Nothing was going to happen." He insisted. "Yeah, you two were just gonna strip down and scar me for life." I teased.
"I might be old, but I'm not deaf you know!" Larry called from the counter. Liam glared at us and Marly and I giggled as he stalked off to go place the tables in the middle.
"I'm just pulling your leg." I said, nudging his shoulder as I helped carry chairs to the tables. He just nodded and we carried on. After lunch rush hour, we all sat at the counter. We looked up as the front door bells announced a customer. I was only met by a smiling Percy. I could see he was slightly upset but decided to ask him in private.
"Hi." He said, walking towards us with a smile and his hands in his pockets. He smirked at Liam who just blushed. "Can we talk, in private?" He asked.
I nodded and we went out the front door. We stood in the cold, the winter month still biting. "Um, I'm leaving today. My plane leaves at five." He said.
I folded my arms, pulling them closer to my chest to keep warm. I could see the other four peeking at us from inside the diner. "Why didn't you tell me last night?" I asked, upset now.
"I was going to, but you were so happy. And I love it when you're happy. So I didn't want to tell you, but I have to now because I need to get to the airport." He said, his face said as he told me.
I looked down at the ground and let out a shaky sigh. "Yeah, okay. I hope you have a good flight." I said. He lifted my chin and kissed me, making it long but worthwhile. "You have my trust, and I have yours. I love you. I'll phone you when I get back." He said.
I nodded and he kissed my forehead, before placing something in my hand and closing my fingers around it, and rushing to his taxi that was waiting.
I watched it drive off and went inside. I opened my hand to look down at a gold chain necklace. A little round pendant was attached. Engraved on the pendant was our names and a message saying 'I love you'.
I leaned against the closed door and closed my fingers around it. "What did he say? Another dinner tonight?" Marly asked, dying to know. I wiped my nose and didn't answer, walking to the staff locker room.
I put the necklace in one of my pockets in my jacket and closed the door, staring at the metal vent to allow air into the locker. "Everything alright, my darling?" I heard Larry ask.
I turned and he stood at the door way, closing the door behind him. I wiped my eyes and nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine." I said, and attempted to walk past him but he put a hand gently on mine. I thought for a moment. "Did you ever wish there was something you could have told someone, that could only be said in person, but you don't know when you'll see them next?" I asked.
He smiled and urged me to take a seat. "Yes, my wife and I used to be good friends before we dated and I proposed. And she once met my friend and decided to accept a lunch with him. She asked me before hand if I thought she could go. I lied and said yes." He shook his head.
"I felt so heart broken as a month later she said he had proposed but she hadn't accepted yet. She asked if I thought she should marry him. And I told her no, that I loved her. She listened to me and we got married a few months later. Sometimes, saving words for a while could mean something in the future." He said.
I smiled and said, "This whole time he has kept saying he loved me. And I never once said it back. I know what it feels like to be lied to but I know he means it. And I wish we had another minute so I could tell him." I wiped at my eyes and he put his hand in mine.
"He's not going anywhere. And I think you know that." He said. I smiled and stood. I went to the front and took a seat at the counter.
"Everything alright?" Marly asked. "Yeah, he's, uh, going back today." I said, smiling at her. I gave Larry a little nod and he smiled back.
Later after work, I was sitting in the lounge, the rain pouring outside. I opened my hand and looked down at the little necklace. I smiled and put it on. I knew he did love me. And I love him too.