“Yeah, let’s go sneak some popcorn,” I replied, standing up and reaching my hand out to her. She slipped hers into mine, and I squeezed it tightly.
The smile on her face was better than any popcorn could ever be.
Rose
It was finally the night of the restaurant’s grand opening, and the place was booked solid. For the last week, we had all worked until midnight every night, getting the place ready for the big event. Brad hadn’t come over again, but he had made sure to sneak me things he was trying out for the menu during my break. He even sent me home with a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich and homemade potato chips for Franny a couple of nights. She’d charmed him, which wasn’t surprising. She had that effect on people.
Captain had avoided me. Between all the work and staying away from me and keeping his distance from Elle, he had to be exhausted. Elle had returned, determined to act as if she was fine. We all got to hear about her dates, because she told the girls who cared so loudly that everyone else got all the details, too. If she was hoping to make Captain jealous, she was failing. He was ignoring her.
I almost felt sorry for her. Almost.
“You think Elle would kill me if I tried to make a move on Captain?” one of the other servers, Patricia, asked me, as she cut her eyes over my shoulder and gave a saucy grin in his direction. I glanced back over my shoulder to see Captain surveying the room while he talked to Brad.
“Probably, but do you really want to date the boss? Look at where that left Elle,” I said honestly. It took a strong-minded female to come back after being shaken off by the man in charge, and everyone knew it.
Patricia pouted, and her very pink painted lips looked even bigger than usual. “The only other hottie here is Brad, and everyone knows he has a thing for you.” She turned her attention back to me. “You do like him, right?”
Did I like him? Yes, I did, but we were friends. He was flirty at times, but mostly we just talked and laughed. “Um, well, he’s a nice guy. I like spending time with him, but we aren’t in a relationship or anything. We’re just friends.”
Her dark brown eyes lit up, and she batted her lashes before turning back to the two men. This time, her eyes were locked on Brad. “Great. Thanks!” she said, before heading toward them with a sway to her hips and a determined gleam in her eyes.
I could have stood there and watched, or I could have finished setting the tables and lighting the candles. I chose the latter and got to work. If Brad was interested in her, then good for him. It wouldn’t hurt my friendship with him. At least, I didn’t think it would.
• • •
We were each given three tables to cover. Captain wanted to make sure every guest was given the most attention possible. I had two four-tops and a two-top, so I wasn’t overloaded, but the pressure was on to be perfect.
Brad was getting high praise from the diners, and everyone was enjoying the food. It went pretty smoothly, considering it was opening night.
I glanced around to see Captain talking to an older, obviously wealthy and important man who had a beautiful younger woman at his side. I’d have guessed it was his daughter if his hand wasn’t settled on her waist possessively.
The man was smiling and seemed pleased to be chatting with Captain.
“That’s Arthur Stout,” Patricia said, whispering beside me. “The owner of this place.”
Well, then, that made sense. I nodded and headed into the kitchen. Table seven’s order was nearly up.
I walked back to the serving line and saw Brad organizing orders and laying out steaming plates. He had a bandanna tied around his head to hold back his shaggy hair. He looked up and shot me a grin.
“Hey,” he said, before focusing on the dish he was plating.
“Seven is up,” Henry, one of the other cooks, called out to me.
“Great. Thanks,” I replied, turning to one of the food servers waiting to the side. “Take it to seven. Left to right. I’ll follow behind.”
One of the things Captain insisted on was that the main server of the table shouldn’t bring the food. They were to follow behind, ready to address anything that was wrong or get the guests anything they requested.
I had turned to leave when Brad called out, “Hey, friend.”
Unsure if that greeting was meant for me, I stopped and looked back at him.
He winked and shook his head. “I need to step up my game.” Then he went back to work, still grinning.
Was he talking about what I had said to Patricia? Had she told him?
“Flirt on your own time. You have people to serve, and he has food to cook. No distractions, Rose.” Captain’s hard voice startled me, and I jerked my gaze up to see him glowering at me from the doorway of the kitchen.
I’d been working to be beyond good tonight, but to be excellent and get this treatment from him? I haven’t been flirting, thank you very much—I’ve been working! Why wasn’t he correcting Brad? Biting my tongue, I met his angry glare with one of my own before walking out past him without a word.
“Rose,” Captain called out, in a clipped voice.
I wanted to keep walking and ignore him, but I’d draw attention from the others in the hallway who were watching us. I sucked it up and stopped to look back at my boss. “Yes, sir?” I bit out.
His eyes flared a moment, and I wondered what I’d done to make him so pissed. “Acknowledge me when I give you instructions.” His voice was low, and the warning tone in it only made me angrier.
“You should direct your instructions to those who need them. I did nothing wrong.” I tried to keep the acid out of my voice, but it was difficult.