First Meetings

Corporate promoted Cyrus to the position of manager for some reason, which left Shasta in charge of the kitchen. He enjoyed being able to finally organize the kitchen the way he preferred and making meals on time. Having someone to help would have been nice, but no help was better than a slothful Cyrus.

“And here’s the kitchen.”

Shasta heard Cyrus’ voice and marched to the entrance of the kitchen to block whoever he was showing around. The person had been about to enter but ran into Shasta’s chest instead. She looked up at him; her eyes were enormous and blue. Based on looks alone, she was attractive.

“And this is the head cook, Rainier. Rainier, this is our new waitress, Chouteau,” introduced Cyrus.

“Your first name is Rainier?” the girl asked.

“No, he calls everyone by their last names. Shasta Rainer.”

“Anita Chouteau.”

Shasta nodded, looking past her to Cyrus.

“I thought we were hiring a new cook?”

“I haven’t found one yet.”

Shasta sighed, feeling someone grab his hand. He looked down to see Anita examine his right hand in comparison to her own; her once bright eyes looking a little remorseful.

“No, you’re not the one,” she sighed, dropping his hand and walking away to follow after Cyrus.

“What do you mean? I am not the one? We just met,” he asked, almost offended. She turned back around and held up her hand so he could see her white scar.

“You don’t have a soulmate mark like mine. So you aren’t my soulmate.”

“You believe in that sort of thing?” he scoffed.

“You don’t?”

“Not particularly. Seems contrived having a destined person whose your perfect match.”

“That’s not it at all!”

Shasta’s eyes widened at her outburst.

“A soulmate is about finding the person who gets you. They aren’t perfect and neither are you. You might fight and think it’s all wrong, but at the end of the day, you know they are your person.”

She clutched her hand to her chest, rubbing the spot with her thumb where her mark was.

“I know someone is out there for me, and we may end up only friends. But even then, it will be a friend I care about and want the best for because they are my person.”

She looked to Shasta, who was frowning but remained silent. Count on Cyrus to hire some strange girl who was searching for soulmates. But the way she spoke with such passion about it was charming, in a fantasy sort of way. Like she had popped out of a fairy tale book and was the princess preaching about true love.

“Well, good luck with that.” Shasta dismissed her with a wave of his hand.

“Thank you. And don’t worry; I’m sure you’ll find your soulmate too.”

Something seemed to hit Shasta in the chest the moment she said that. He watched as Anita skipped after Cyrus, comparing hands with the other staff members. It was adorable in an innocent sort of way. An innocence that he felt the urge to protect.

He returned to his kitchen, hoping to clear his head, only to start organizing again.

“Shasta?”

He snapped at the sound of his name, turning to see Anita at the window.

“Please take care of me,” she wished with a smile.

Shasta nodded and returned to work. His chest tightened with a feeling he couldn’t place other than to protect this flower that had wandered into the diner. And he would continue to protect her when she learned that soulmates weren’t real.

---

“And I’ve liked her ever since,” Shasta explained to the other two boys working at Tormino’s that evening. For some odd reason, the girls had either a morning shift or the day off. It was a quiet evening, so Cyrus had come out from his closet to join the other workers at the bar.

“So, you’ve been in love with her for three years? And haven’t said anything?” asked Cyrus, who was learning about this.

“Once she realizes that soulmates aren’t real, then I can tell her.”

“But what if she never stops believing? And your crush remains unrequited forever?” asked Oliver. Shasta’s absent-minded organizing grew quicker.

“You’re a lot of fun.” Cyrus smacked Oliver upside the head, ruining his ponytail.

“Maybe you can help her realize that soulmates aren’t real so she can move on. Or suggest other ways to find a soulmate that would lead her to you,” suggested Miles, trying to be helpful.

“I have been.”

He has? The other men looked at each other.