Chapter Text
Bridgette was never really sure when all of it began. The more she thought about it, the more it just made her feel almost numb. Looking back she could recall quite a few moments like the uncertain pang of jealousy she felt when Trick passed a flirty comment towards Amber but then she swore he looked at her for a little longer than normal. And as much as she tried desperately to be oblivious, Trick's stares were burning an intense fiery red hole through her pounding heart and every minute of it was savourable to her as much as tried to hide it. What was a flirty busser slowly turned into a good friend and maybe a little after, the silly idea of more than just that popped into her head.
As much as she tried to push those thoughts away, Trick's undenying attention to her and how the rest of the Bistro seemed to notice their interactions a little more than usual. But even she knew the attention from everyone else was completely unsupportive of them together and it was quite obvious with the way Nicole would raise her eyebrows when she spotted Bridgette eyeing Trick from across the restaurant or when Joey would pipe up about how it was important to know the difference between people who would treat her right rather than some thieving fboy.
But deep down, the usually peace-making and kind Bridgette felt a deep sense of anger brim inside her with each comment about how Trick was just a succubus and how Bridgette should stay far away from a 'man like him.'
For starters, even though she'd have spent her entire 15-minutes yapping off about how the customer slapped her hand away when she tried to take the near empty plate away, Trick would sit next to her and act like every word she said was the most interesting and valuable piece of information the world could ever hold. He wouldn't just stay quiet, he'd pass dramatic comments about how he'd 'deal' with such a thing if that ever happened to her again and then pass another ridiculously heart-stopping comment to her but even through all that, Bridgette truly felt seen.
The rest of Bistro Huddy just couldn't get it like she did and even though thinking such a thing made her feel silly, it was a comforting truth to her.
Trick cleared his throat as he stared at her, "You good? Whatcha thinking about?" Bridgette widened her eyes as she snapped back to reality. She hadn't realised she completely zoned out while Trick was still asking her if this chaos was usual at Bistro Huddy holiday staff parties and as she shook her head, completely flustered, she grabbed the red wine in front of her and took a large gulp before setting it back down on the table. Trick stared at her unfazed before smirking. "Is it that good Bridgey?"
Bridgette shrugged as she flitted her fingers around the edge of twisting auburn curl but she watched as Trick reached for her wine glass and *very purposefully* set his lips against where her holiday red shade of lipstick had left a smear. He stared at her as he took a sip before setting it back down and with a daunting smirk he looked away and muttered about how particularly sweet it was. Bridgette took a moment to process his words and in a slightly nervous and tipsy gauze she gently smacked his arm. "Oh...stop it you."
Trick looked back at her and gave her a stare that made her heart pound as it usually did when he was in her radius. It was hard to ignore him really, and it wasn't just because of how ridiculously hot he was, it was more like how looking at him made her feel warm and fuzzy inside like it was some high school crush. She watched as he turned to look at the chaos ensuing in the background, with the entirety of the staff (excluding Terry and Clint) completely hammered as some (Nicole and Brad) were seen quietly retreating into the walk-in refrigator, Aaron and Nico singing their hearts out to karaoke with makeshift bottles of tequila as microphones and the others guzzling down way more alchohol than Terry had planned for.
Bridgette's stare began to wander as she observed the cold metal piercing placed perfectly on his lip, his tattoos and the way his eyes were taking in what was going on. But before she could look away, there was a sudden piercing crash of glasses before Terry's perfect cut in yelling began to happen and even then, you could still Aaron and Nico singing like there was no tommorow. Bridgette peeked her head outside the booth and before she could gasp, Trick got up and grabbed her arm.
"I'd say this is the perfect time for us to get out of here? Whaddya say?" He waited for an answer and watched as she stammered for a moment.
Bridgette's mouth immediately moved to say yes but she stopped herself. She knew very well Pete was waiting at home and she felt dread for the first time in forever. Lately Pete had grew more cold and truly proved himself to be THE number one man child according to Nicole but even though Bridgette couldn't help but agree, she couldn't bring herself to upset her boyfriend of 3 years. I mean sure he could definitely do better; like not chewing her out for not making him breakfast on time or choosing to be more patient to Bridgette when she had to work her shifts late but yet, Bridgette felt a sense of responsibility.
I mean the main issue was Trick. Pete always had an issue with Bridgette choosing to work more shifts, especially because she couldn't stay home to make him food whenever he asked or drive him around to some gaming tournament but Bridgette felt like it was that one day. She managed to convince Pete to come along to a special event at the restaurant but the moment he laid eyes on Trick, it seemed like he had realised something was off. Even coming to the holiday staff party was about a 2 hour worth of fighting because according to Pete, she'd only come to look all dressed up and cute in front of Trick and even explaining herself to Pete felt like she couldn't choke the words out because the fear of disappointing him ached her.
Trick had guessed it. The way she stammered and fidgeted as she thought of what to say and he knew very well what was coming. Sure it was a punch to the gut but in all honesty he wanted to punch himself right in the gut too for asking her. He knew she had a boyfriend and even though ''Mr Bad boy'' of Bistro Huddy was reputable for his insatious flirting, he couldn't deny it. He had fallen for Bridgette.
He didn't bother asking himself when but he knew exactly why. At first, she was pretty to look at. Her deep blue eyes and her short curls of auburn that she'd often twist around her fingers when she was in deep thought, her unconscious pout she'd have when the restaurant was flooded with orders and the gorgeous smile she'd have on like it was clockwork, even when it was in the middle of damn rush hour. Trick didn't like to admit but the way she'd look away all flustered when he'd tease her and the way she'd look at him when he'd say her name sent shivers down his spine.
But even when he'd fallen head over heels for Bridgette, there was only one thing that made him never want to cross the line (just yet). Trick had first found out about Pete when Nicole was groaning about it to Joey about how, "Bridgey-boo invited that absolute incel of a boyfriend'' and hearing that made Trick feel something inside. He wasn't exactly sure what it was but he knew from then on, he didn't want to cross the boundary he dreamed of doing.