Chapter Seventy-Two
Joesph had been right, Jamie begrudgingly admitted.
In the past two weeks that the diner had been reopened, it had been as busy as the first day of the grand reopening.
He’d been able to hire two more waitresses on a part-time basis and a full-time dishwasher, and a part-time one for nights.
Finding another cook, however, was proving to be a lot more difficult.
He’d gotten one lead from the vocational school, and he hoped it would work out. He’d like to have another one, too.
“Hey, Jamie,” Walter said, leaning on the doorframe to the office. “Have you placed an order yet?”
“Not yet.” Jamie turned in his chair. “I’m waiting for Christine to tell me what she needs. Why?”
“I was showing Ian and Robbie how to do inventory and temp checks and saw that we were already running low on a few other things.”
“Okay. Can you just write them down, and I’ll get them put on the order. Thanks, Walter. How are the boys doing?”
“Ian is going to be just like you. A powerhouse. He’s quiet. Almost too quiet. Robbie is going to work out just fine. He could fill in for Dexter or Timmy already. And I think Ian could fill in for me, too. He just needs the confidence to do it.”
Jamie nodded. “He was bullied in school. I know how that affects you. Just encourage him is the best advice I can give.” Jamie paused for a moment. “That young man has a lot of potential.”
“Yeah, he does. Okay, that’s all for now.” Walter said, turning back into the kitchen.
Jamie sat for another moment before writing in the daily ledger, which he started as soon as he’d returned to Columbus.
Every place he’d ever worked kept one. He was training Salzy to do it too, along with all the other managerial duties.
It would help free up a lot of time for him, concentrating more on managing the kitchen.
“Hey, Jamie, I’ve got the list of things to order for the dining room,” Salzy said as he came into the tiny office and took the other chair. “These people sure do like their sugar.”
Jamie chuckled. “Yeah. I remember Papaw complaining about how many sugar packets we went through.”
“I... uh... think I need to say something to Julie. I saw her flirting with one of the customers. I mean, I know they have to be friendly and all, but it was over the top, even for me.”
“You want me to say something?” Jamie asked. “We do not want to get that kind of reputation here.”
“No, I think it would be better coming from me for the time being. I just wanted to let you know, is all.”
“Okay. Let me know if you need any help.” Jamie smiled at Salzy. “You’ve been doing a good job, by the way. Everyone seems to be happy that you’ve stepped into your new role.”
“Yeah, I’m kind of surprised by that. I thought Flo might have a hard time with me being her boss.”
“I had wondered about that, too. I’m glad she’s okay with it.” Jamie looked at Salzy’s order list. “Um, didn’t we just order napkins?”
“Yeah, we did, and we need to order them again. Maybe order more than you did last time. I looked at the covers, and comparing the two, it adds up. I’m gonna suggest we order some new dishes and silverware. We’re running out faster than the dishwasher can get washed up.”
Jamie pointed at Salzy. “See. That right there is why I knew you were right for this job. I didn’t tell you to do that, and you knew to do it anyway. I’ll see if I can’t find out where we buy all the other stuff.” Jamie quickly made a note on the legal pad he was using for notes to himself.
Salzy blushed. “It just made sense.”
“Hey, good-looking,” Mike said, coming in and kissing Jamie.
Jamie looked at the pink kitty-cat wall clock that his grandmother had loved. “What are you doing here so early? It’s not even four o’clock.”
“You’re not glad to see me?” Mike teased. “I got off early. There wasn’t anything for me to do, which is a miracle in itself. Not even paperwork.”
“Wow, look at you go. I’m just about done here. I need to place some orders, which shouldn’t take too long.”
“Can I take you to dinner?”
“I’d like that,” Jamie answered with a big smile on his face. “I could use a night away from this place.”
“What I thought. I’m going to grab a shower.” Mike kissed Jamie again.
“I’ll see you up there. A shower is definitely in order for me.”
Salzy sat there smiling during the brief exchange. “Have you set a date yet?”
“No, we’ve only talked about it in passing.” Jamie let out a long breath. “I’m sure it is going to come up tonight.”
“Any hesitations?” Salzy asked, leaning in.
“No. It just... seems so fast.” Jamie leaned back in his chair.
“I... I did have a lot of reservations, but...” Jamie slumped slightly.
“I can tell he’s genuine, and I’ve really come to the realization that I’d fallen for the big lug before I even knew it.
” He looked at Salzy and smiled. “I fell in love with him.” He shrugged.
“Hey, you can always do a long engagement.”
Jamie laughed. “Have you met Mike?”
“Okay, point taken.” Salzy chuckled. “But that doesn’t mean you have to agree to something you’re not ready for.”
“True.”
“Sorry, Jamie, I know you’ve been waiting for this,” Christine said as she handed Jamie a sheet of paper with things that needed to be ordered. “I got tied up with the last cake. I had to stick that buttercream into the freezer to firm it up a bit.”
“Yeah, trying to do that in a hot kitchen is a pain,” Jamie said, looking at her order. “You’ve got berries on here, from Johnson’s berry and tomato farm?”
“Yeah, they’re part of the slow food project. I thought I’d go out there and see what they have. I think they are doing heirloom tomatoes as well. I’ll have a look for you if you want.”
“Sounds good. You going out there now?” Jamie asked. “If so, I’ll get you some money out of petty cash.”
“Cool.” Christine frowned slightly at Jamie. “What's going on... there?” she asked, waving her hand around the front of Jamie. “You’ve got something on your mind.”
“He’s concerned that things were moving too fast for Mike and him. Reluctant to set a date,” Salzy answered for Jamie.
“I see,” Christine said, leaning into the room and putting her hand on Jamie’s shoulder.
“Don’t do anything that you’re not comfortable with.
But... you don’t have to worry, Jamie. When it’s right, it’s right.
And you’re right where you need to be with who you need to be with.
Don’t let fear hold you back from being your happy self. ”
* * * * *
Mike took his hand across the table. “Jamie, are you having second thoughts about marrying me?”
“What?” Jamie shook his head. “No, not at all.”
“You’re sure about this?” Mike rubbed his thumb across the top of Jamie’s hand. “I hope you know I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. Here, with you.”
Jamie smiled at Mike. “I believe you. And yes, I do want to marry you.”
“Can we talk about a date, please?”
“I don’t want... anything big. Nothing flashy.” Jamie wrinkled his nose.
“How about just close friends and family?” Mike asked.
“Yeah, that’s more what I was thinking. And nothing too religious.” Jamie shook his head before taking a big sip of his margarita.
“That’s fine with me.” Mike chuckled and had a drink of his own margarita. “My parents weren’t all that religious anyway,” Mike said after he’d swallowed.
“My Mamaw will be rolling in her grave.” Jamie barked out a short laugh. “And I say that while drinking alcohol. She is definitely rolling for sure.”
“I’d like to plan it where there is enough time for my parents to be here.”
“And I’d like for my father to come, which won’t be easy. He’d need time to plan it all.” Jamie munched on a chip with salsa heaped on it.
“How about October. When it won’t be hot and the fall leaves around here are pretty.”
Jamie thought for a minute. “Five months from now.” He looked at Mike, who was watching him closely. “Okay.” Jamie reached for his phone and pulled up a calendar. “Will your parents be able to get off then?”
“I’m sure they could.” Mike released Jamie’s hand so he could pull out his own phone. “I told them I was getting married. My father can since he’s the big boss. My Mom probably has more sick leave built up that she could retire a full year early and use it up that way.”
Jamie looked up, surprised. “Whoa. You told them? Really? And to a guy?”
Mike smiled brightly. “Yeah. I think my father was shocked, but they’re happy for me.”
“I told my father last week when we did our weekly video call. He was thrilled. Of course, he was over the moon when I told him that you’d spent time in France and loved it.” Jamie laughed quietly. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he offered up a trip to France as a honeymoon present.”
Mike paused, a chip halfway to his mouth. “Seriously?”
“Yeah.” Jamie laughed. “He wanted me to move to France after the first time I met him. Wanted me to live with him and his family. Said he’d pay for me to go to any school I wanted. Ended up, he paid for most of my culinary education anyway.”
“You’d say yes, wouldn’t you?” Mike asked, his mouth full of chip.
“What, to go to France for a honeymoon?”
“Well, yeah.” Mike wiped his mouth with the paper napkin.
“I doubt I could.” Jamie frowned. “I mean, with the diner and all.”
“Jamie, that diner can practically run itself now, especially with Salzy. You deserve to have some time off for a honeymoon.” Mike took his hand again. “I’d like to take you somewhere. Anywhere. It’s just the two of us.”
“I’ll have to do some serious thinking on that.” Just then, their food arrived.
“Yum,” Mike said and took a bite. “I do love Mexican.”