45 The Most He Can Give Her

Once more, Jade picked herself up, putting up the cheery front that her customers expected.

The cafe was quiet, so she dragged over a stool and sat behind the counter until the next customer arrived.

Ting ding!

When a customer eventually arrived, Jade had started to doze off.

"Waa!"

The sound of the door's little bell woke Jade from her half-sleep, and she jumped up in a panic, almost forgetting where she was.

"Ahem." Jade lightly cleared her throat in an effort to calm herself and regain her composure.

Looking up, she saw the customer walking up to the counter.

Against the backlight of the afternoon winter sun, his chiseled features were even more pronounced.

Jade openly stared at the man, forgetting herself and her role as the server.

With what seemed like a halo behind him, he asked, "Good afternoon, how are you doing? I heard about what happened."

Jade shook her head, partly to wake herself up and partly to reassure the man. "Thank you for your concern, Liam, but I'm absolutely fine."

"That's good to hear. I heard there was blood at the scene though…"

"A small cut on my leg. Really, I'm fine."

Internally, Jade was thinking, 'I'll be even more fine if people stopped asking me the same questions!'

Naturally, she did not voice or show her annoyance since she knew this was only polite concern. Besides, she had already vented with Harriet earlier.

After a silence lingered between them for about ten seconds, realizing that he had nothing else to say, Jade asked, "What can I get you?"

Liam's brows furrowed into a frown as if he was thinking. "Which coffees are easiest for you to make? I wouldn't want you to strain yourself…"

Similarly, a frown also appeared Jade's face. "I am perfectly capable of…"

Seeing this reaction, Liam started laughing. "Ha ha ha. I'm joking, just joking."

After a slight pause, he said, "I'll have an Americano to go, please."

Jade did not react to his order instantly,still dazed, lost in his mellifluous laughter.

Fortunately, Liam remembered Parker, who was waiting outside for him. "Also, a latte as well."

For the third time in such a short period, Jade came to. "Right away, sir."

With a polite smile, she turned around to begin preparing his ordered.

'What is wrong with me today? I need to get a grip.'

She stifled a yawn.

'Yes, that's probably it. I'm just tired. Maybe I'll close a little early today.'

When the coffees were finished, Jade quickly put the caps on and handed them to Liam in a cardboard cup holder.

"Will that be all, sir?"

"Yes, thank you."

"That'll be $3.80, please."

"Here."

Liam put his wallet down on the counter and passed over a $5 bill. Then he left without waiting for the change.

That was the biggest tip he could leave her. If he gave a $10 bill without asking for change, she would probably think that something was up.

'Oh, a tip! That's about 25%—quite generous.'

With a smile she called out, "Thank you, Liam. Have a good day!'