Chapter 2
“Do you care if I leave early? In like an hour?” I ask my coworker, Kenzie, in the back as we roll silverware.
“Sure. It’s not very busy. Need to pick up Jessica?”
“Yep. I dropped her off at my dad’s since I had to cover this shift last minute. I’d rather not keep her out super late on a school night. We’re still adjusting from our summer schedule as it is.”
Kenzie is younger than me and has no kids, but she’s always understanding if I have parental responsibilities.
“No problem, girl. I just got a new table, anyway. Dex brought in some hot silver fox.”
“Oh? I thought Liam was his only friend,” I laugh.
“Me too. But Liam is also with them, so it doesn’t count.”
We both laugh, and I pause cleaning so I can go say hi.
Dex treats me way too well here, paying me much more than I probably deserve and giving me the kind of flexibility that’s irreplaceable when you’re a single mom.
It’s hard to come by. He wants me to manage the place, but I’ve never accepted.
I don’t want all that responsibility at the moment, even though I do half the manager tasks already.
I think it’s mainly because he trusts me and appreciates my loyalty. I’ve worked here a long time.
As I turn the corner, I freeze. Recognition hits the second I see him. It’s the old grump from Liam’s wedding, Jameson. What’s he doing back in town so soon?
I turn back around, deciding I don’t want to talk to them. Better to busy myself with other tasks and check on my tables.
A few minutes later, I’m opening a bottle of wine at a table near theirs.
As I twist the corkscrew, I feel that tingling feeling.
I glance up and lock eyes with Jameson across the room.
He was watching me, and he doesn’t look away when I catch him.
He doesn’t smile either…just keeps staring.
I force my attention back to my guests, pour their glasses, and try to slip toward the back again.
“Carly!”
Dang it. Dex calls me just as I’m almost to freedom. I spin, plastering a smile on my face.
“Hey, what are you guys doing in tonight?”
“You know I’m always hungry.”
“Yep. I do know that,” I laugh, then turn to Liam. “No Layla tonight?”
“She wasn’t feeling well. Stayed home with Jackson.”
“Oh, no. Is he sick too?”
“No, just her,” he says. “So, you remember my friend Jameson from the wedding, right?”
I glance at Jameson, offering him a smile. He stares back, barely returning it. Just a ghost of a smile touches his lips.
“I do. Good to see you again,” I say.
“You too,” His eyes stay fixed on me as he twirls his glass, the smile still refusing to grow.
“Okay, well, I’m actually going to head out soon, so I need to go finish a few things in the back.”
“Have a good night,” Dex says with his giant, bright smile.
“You guys enjoy,” I add, already turning away. My eyes flick back to Jameson once more. He’s still watching me. I hurry through the dining room without looking back.
“You talk to Dex?” Kenzie asks as I pass by the soda machines.
“Yep.”
“Did he need something?”
“Nope. Just saying hi.”
“That guy is kind of a grump, huh?”
“Seems like it.” I’m surprised to hear her say that, since she’s young, gorgeous, with black hair, blue eyes, and a body to match.
I wait in the back for my last table’s food.
When it’s ready, I scoop it up and carry it out, and I can’t help the curiosity as my gaze flicks to Dex’s table again.
Jameson is laughing with them. So, he’s not a total grump.
And his smile is actually…nice. Really nice.
I look away before he catches me staring.
I’m in and out of the dining room a few more times, careful not to glance his way again.
But as I say goodbye to my last table and turn to leave, my eyes betray me.
Kenzie is there chatting with them, but Jameson’s gaze is locked on me once more.
He twirls his wine glass again with an odd expression.
It’s almost a smirk…like he knows something I don’t
Strange.
I clean up, gather my things, and head out to pick up my child.