Chapter 16:

Going into work with Tommy was a little bit more awkward than you anticipated, you're both stealing glances at each other from your workstations - you're just thankful Luda has the day off since you know for a fact you won't be able to look her in the eyes without turning a colourful shade of red, the memory of her standing at your doorway as you defiled her son will probably be seared in your brain for the rest of your life and probably carry on into the next one.

You're lost in your thoughts when you feel a gentle tap on your shoulder, you shake out of your thoughts and look over to Tommy standing over your shoulder with questioning eyes as he points at the pastry dough that's as thin as a piece of paper

"Oh dear gosh I wasn't paying any attention, this poor pastry"

You say while patting your apology to the abused dough

"I'm just thinking about emotionally scarring your very sweet mother"

You manage a giggle when Tommy puts his head in his hands and tries to shake the image out of his brain, you go to tease him for it when out of the corner of your eye you see one of your regulars Eric walking up to your till, before you can excuse yourself Tommy's already noticed and heading back to his bloody station

"Hey, buttercup!"

He cheerfully greets you with that god awful nickname, he's always been a charmer and you understand why Karen calls him 'the most eligible bachelor under the Texas sun'

"Hello hun, I'm just butchering some poor dough at the moment so you might want to come back tomorrow for some treats unless you're looking for fresh buns I finished this morning"

He leaned on the counter and chuckled

"I thought the butcher's block was on the others side?"

You couldn't help but laugh at that as he continued

"That reminds me! I've been meaning to ask you something buttercup"

You're already rolling your eyes

"For the last time stop calling me that"

He just chuckled and continued

"Are you dating Tommy?"

You're grateful you aren't drinking anything because you would've done a full spit take, you can see everyone around you look to see your response from the stock boy to Tommy himself slightly slowing his cutting- you're remembering Luda's warning to keep it down low so finally manage to spit out

"Whaaaaat?? Me and Tommy? We're just friends"

You try to ignore a collision on Tommy's side of the kitchen

"We we we are More than friends! We are best friends! Full besties! Right?!"

You look over to Tommy for some backup and he's just staring at you with wide eyes like you're the stupidest person he's ever seen and you're starting the think that's justified. Jesus Christ, you're a terrible liar.

You just hope this is enough to convince Eric and everyone else looking at you

"That's good to hear because I wanted to know if you wanted to go to dinner tonight ?"

Eric is asking you out in a very nice way but all you can hear is yourself high pitch screaming in your head as you say

"I...I literally cannot think of a reason to say no"

He gives you that charming smile

"I'll pick you up at 8, buttercup"

As he walks away you slowly turn towards Tommy who's staring at you like you have three heads, you take a step closer and try to whisper

"Okay, yes this looks bad but I didn't know what to say, everyone was looking at me and you know I hat-"

You don't get a chance to finish your rambling when he closes the distance between you two awhile gently grabbing your hand to lead you into the break room, you're trying not to focus on the blood-soaked hand and focus on breathing, as soon as you two are alone he puts his hands on his hips and turns his head in a silent question

"Don't look at me like that!"

You put your hands up in mock defence just causing him to tilt his head more dramatically

"Yes okay I panicked, I'll be the first one to admit it went downhill extremely quickly - I said yes out of obligation, not interest! You heard Luda Mae when she told us to be down low- everyone already thinks we're together so maybe if I go on this one date they'll ease up on the stares are whispers"

You stomp your foot lightly as you finished ranting and Tommy relaxed the more you talked and even began to slowly nod along, he walked away from you only to turn around while rubbing his hands together like a mad man and giggling

"Oh, what is soooo funny about this mister?"

You say returning his giggle, he just simply wrapped his big arms around you for a quick bear hug before clapping his hands together and walking back to his station leaving you significantly more confused but it's better than him being upset with you - oh god his hug got blood on your shirt damn him, stupid sexy bloody Tommy.