The Waiter by Bradleigh Collins (bill gates books recommendations .txt) 📕

My flight landed at La Guardia at ten. I landed in Manhattan around noon. I checked into the hotel and immediately headed to Big Nick’s for a slice of pesto pizza, which I planned on eating in Central Park. I was so happy to be back in what was starting to feel like “my neighborhood.”

I got the pizza to go. Then I took a walk down 77th Street. I walked past Fishs Eddy. Past the firehouse with its big red arched doors, one of which was open, exposing the big red fire engine inside. A firefighter waved. I smiled and waved back. Soon I was on Amsterdam, right at the very spot where The Waiter kissed me. I wanted to hug the one-way sign he was leaning against but, thankfully, I didn’t. Instead I continued walking, passing the brownstones I wanted to live in one day. Then on to the GreenFlea. It was only open on Sundays, so the gates were locked. But I couldn’t help gliding my hand along the fence where The Waiter was standing when I first saw him that day.

I continued on until I was in Central Park and sitting on the bench where we’d had our conversation. I couldn’t believe I was going to be seeing him again tonight. Once again, I was giddy. But then it hit me. This was exactly the same way I felt about Dalton when I first met him. And look how that turned out.

It only took one bite of my pesto pizza to determine that my stomach wasn’t having it. My self-doubt had officially kicked in. Worst-case scenarios began playing out in my head, and in a matter of seconds, I had already ruined my entire weekend. The Waiter wasn’t going to show up. I would be humiliated in front of Josh and his super-chic New York friends. I would probably blow my job interview on Monday. And I would head back to Atlanta demoralized and depressed. Bitchy Brenda was right. Maybe I wasn’t cut out for New York.

I threw my pizza in the garbage and started back to the hotel. As I crossed Central Park West, I wasn’t thinking, “this is the spot where he held my hand for the first time.” Instead, I was thinking, “what if he doesn’t show up tonight?”

Nothing that The Waiter had said or done had given me any inclination that he would do something like that. In fact, the last thing he said in our chat last night was, “I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.” But yet, somehow, doubt and fear had already cemented themselves deep inside my brain.

Josh had made dinner reservations for all of us at seven-thirty at Blue Water Grill. It was right across the street from where we were meeting The Waiter. I figured I would just go to the hotel, unpack, take a nap, and give myself plenty of time to get ready.

When I woke up around five, I was feeling a little better. I couldn’t wait to see Josh, Katie, Lucy and Kyle. Lucy and I already had plans to get together for brunch tomorrow to discuss the job interview. I decided I would just try to change my focus from The Waiter to The Job. I was here in the city for an interview, and to hang out with some truly amazing people. If The Waiter showed up tonight, that would just be a bonus.

I had told everyone what The Waiter said about dressing casually. Josh hinted that he knew where we were going but wouldn’t tell me anything specific. After agonizing for days over what to wear, I settled on a pair of light-washed Levi’s, a black tank-top, a pearl choker necklace, and a comfortable pair of ankle boots. I also wore a black light-weight cardigan to dress up the look enough for dinner and drinks. The makeup was flawless, and I piled my hair into what was quickly becoming my signature look - the messy bun. I was ready.

Josh and Katie met me in front of the hotel. Soon we were all in a cab headed down the West Side Highway. It was so great to see both of them. I could tell that Josh really liked Katie, and I already knew she was smitten with him.

“I can’t believe you’re already back,” Katie said. “It’s like you never left.”

“I know. I can’t wait to give Lucy a big hug. She’s the reason I’m back so soon.”

“Well, that and your new boy toy,” Josh laughed. I immediately thought about Dalton and how I had lied to him about The Waiter. I didn’t want Dalton coming to New York with me this weekend, yet here he was, seated comfortably in my head.

When we arrived at the restaurant, Lucy and Kyle were already at the bar. I hugged both of them while Josh checked us in, and then we all followed the hostess back to our table.

“Josh thinks he knows what show we’re going to tonight, but he won’t tell me.”

“Oh, we all know,” Kyle said. “Josh told us not to tell you so it would be a surprise.”

“How do you guys know?”

“By the way you told us to dress.”

“Yeah,” Josh chimed in. “We’ve all heard about this show, but none of us have seen it yet. It sounds really cool.”

“It was so nice of your friend to get us tickets,” Katie said. “I can’t wait to meet him.”

Yeah, if he shows up. “I’m just so happy to be back in the city. It’s been an interesting couple of weeks.”

“We need drinks,” Josh said. And god, did I.

After dinner, we headed over to Luna Park. It was a restaurant and bar located in an open-air pavilion at the north end of Union Square. I’d already had a martini and was feeling a bit more relaxed, but I was still nervous about seeing - or not seeing - The Waiter.

As we were walking down the steps into the bar, I looked at the multiple strands of