I Ran From My Psycho Step-brother Straight Into The Alpha's Lap novel Chapter 109

**When Night Grows Softer Hope Returns To Lead Us by Asa Rowan Finn**

Chapter 109

Talya felt a wave of relief wash over her as she stepped into the bustling diner. The clatter of dishes and the hum of conversations surrounded her, creating a comforting cocoon that allowed her to momentarily forget about her own life. Instead of dwelling on her worries, she could immerse herself in her work, focusing on delivering excellent service.

“Hey Talya, someone just sat in your section!” called out Jenny, one of the other waitresses, her voice laced with playful enthusiasm. “And I must say, he is quite the catch!”

Talya chuckled softly, shaking her head. Jenny had a knack for noticing the good-looking patrons, and it was no secret that she loved to flirt. With a light-hearted roll of her eyes, Talya made her way to her assigned table. As she approached, Liam looked up from his seat, a warm smile spreading across his face. A flutter of excitement ignited in her stomach, and she fought to suppress it.

“Liam, what brings you here today?” she inquired, pausing at his table, her curiosity piqued.

“Just grabbing a bite to eat,” he replied, his grin widening.

Talya couldn’t help but mirror his smile. “What can I get started for you?”

“I’ll have a coffee, a glass of water, and I’d like a double portion of meatloaf, a baked potato, and some broccoli,” he said, his eyes glinting with mischief.

Talya blinked in surprise, her eyebrows arching slightly. “You want two portions of meatloaf? Just so you know, one serving is pretty generous,” she remarked, trying to wrap her head around his order.

“Absolutely, yes,” he confirmed with a playful smirk.

Talya shrugged, jotting down his order with a sense of resignation. “Alright then, I’ll put that in and fetch your drinks.” She turned on her heel and headed to the kitchen. After placing his order, she returned with his coffee and water, setting them down on the table with a flourish.

“Here you go! Coffee and water. Would you like any cream or sweetener?” she asked, her tone light and friendly.

“Just cream, please. Thanks!” he replied, his eyes sparkling with appreciation.

“Sure thing! Just let me know if you need anything else,” Talya said as she moved away, making her rounds to check on the other tables. Although she felt a twinge of guilt for not spending more time with Liam, the diner was swamped with customers, and she had to prioritize her duties.

After a flurry of activity, Talya returned to Liam’s table, presenting his receipt with a bright smile. She glanced at the two empty plates before him and quipped, “I’d ask how your meal was, but I think the answer is pretty evident!”

His laughter rang out, rich and infectious, causing Talya’s heart to flutter. “It was fantastic! I don’t get many home-cooked meals these days, and this meatloaf reminded me so much of my mom’s cooking,” he said, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.

“Do you not cook at all?” Talya asked, genuinely intrigued.

He chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Nope, cooking isn’t my strong suit.”

Curiosity piqued, she pressed on, “So, do you live alone?”

He hesitated for a moment, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. “You don’t have to answer that if you don’t want to,” she quickly added, realizing she might have overstepped.

“Not at all,” he replied, his smile easing her worry. “I don’t mind answering. Yes, I live by myself at the moment.”

His response was somewhat cryptic, but Talya decided to let it slide. “If you’re ever interested, my grandma loves cooking for people. You should come over sometime; she makes amazing homemade meals,” she suggested, her voice hopeful.

Liam regarded her for a moment, and a wave of panic washed over Talya. “I mean, you don’t have to if you don’t want to,” she stammered, feeling flustered.

“I’d love to,” he interrupted, his voice steady and sincere.

“It’s a date then!” Talya blurted out, immediately regretting her choice of words. “I mean, not a date! It’s not a date, it’s just a… um…”

Liam stood up, his tall frame casting a shadow over her. “It’s a date,” he affirmed with a grin before heading towards the front to settle his bill.

Talya watched him walk away, her heart racing as she struggled to catch her breath. She glanced down at the table and her eyes widened in disbelief as she spotted a hundred-dollar bill lying there. Without thinking, she snatched it up and dashed after him.

“Liam!” she called out, her voice cutting through the din of the parking lot. He turned, his expression shifting to one of concern as he approached her.

As she walked back into the bustling diner, Talya felt a renewed sense of energy. The rest of her shift flew by in a blur of activity, and she welcomed the distraction. Finally, when she clocked out for the night, she felt a wave of fatigue but also a hint of exhilaration. “Goodnight, Joe!” she called out to her boss as she left the diner.

Stepping out into the cool night air, Talya began her walk towards the bus stop. As she approached, she noticed a man already waiting there. She paid him little mind, opting instead to pop in her headphones and take a seat on the bench. Just as she settled in, she felt the presence of the man shift in front of her. Looking up, she realized he was addressing her.

“Excuse me, I’m sorry. What did you say?” she asked, pulling her headphones out.

“I was just wondering what time it is,” he said, his tone casual.

“Oh, it’s 11:15,” Talya replied, moving to put her headphones back in, but he continued speaking.

“What’s a pretty young thing like you doing out here all alone so late?” he asked, his voice dripping with a disconcerting familiarity.

Talya looked up at him, trying to gauge his intentions. The question seemed innocent, yet there was an underlying tone that made her uneasy. “I just wrapped up my shift at work,” she said, forcing a smile.

“Got it. Where do you work?” he probed further, his interest seemingly piqued.

“Not too far from here,” she replied vaguely, feeling the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.

“Are you heading home now?” he continued, his gaze unwavering.

Talya nodded, glancing around for the bus, willing it to arrive sooner rather than later.

As she reached for her headphones again, he stopped her once more. “I’ve seen you here before waiting for the bus. You ride it often late at night,” he remarked, an unsettling familiarity in his tone.

Talya’s heart raced, and she chose not to respond this time, feeling the hairs on her arms prickle. “You know, I have my car not far from here. I could give you a ride home; you wouldn’t have to wait for the bus,” he offered, his smile widening unnaturally.

The air around her thickened with tension, and she felt a chill run down her spine.