How he'd just wipe the sweat away like it was nothing and keep fumbling along, trying to learn how to fold a breakfast burrito with his clumsy hands.
How once, when my spatula accidentally grazed the back of his hand, he'd yanked it away like he'd been shocked. His ears flushed scarlet. He turned his head and couldn't look at me.
I'd laughed and called him sweet. Innocent. I thought he was being careful with me, that he treasured me.
Turns out it was just his excuse for being repulsed.
A cold numbness spread through my chest. I stood frozen in place.
A perky voice chirped behind me.
"Are you the waitress bringing drinks to this room? Why are you just standing there?"
The girl brushed past me, pushed the door open, let out a squeal, and threw herself into Reginald's arms.
She clung to him like a koala, legs wrapped around him.
"Long time no see! Did you miss me?"
Reginald's expression went stony, but she wasn't the least bit intimidated.
She leaned in and nuzzled the tip of his nose.
"Still acting like a little kid who can't hide his feelings. So grumpy all the time." She giggled. "How are you ever going to get a girlfriend like this?"
I stared, numb, at the same man who recoiled from the slightest touch of my skin.
Now his arms moved on instinct, years of habit taking over. He caught her effortlessly, his forearms flexing to support her full weight beneath her thighs.
His face darkened further. He let out a cold scoff but didn't let go.
"We broke up, Fiona. What I do is none of your business anymore."
"You're the one who likes older, mature men. Don't expect me to turn into one of them."
The light caught her face.
And I realized I'd seen it before.
One year ago. The night I caught her tangled in the sheets with my then-husband, Alvin James.
Every drop of warmth drained from my body. The room tilted, my vision swimming, and I nearly collapsed right there on the floor.
Only then did Reginald notice me. A flash of panic crossed his eyes before he forced his expression into something casual.
"What are you doing here? Don't you have the cart to run today?"
Before I could speak, Fiona slid off his lap.
She acted like she didn't recognize me, sticking out her tongue in a cutesy little apology.
"Sorry, ma'am. I didn't realize you knew Reggie. I thought you were a waitress."