3. Chapter Three
Chapter Three
Jack barely noticed Henry arriving at the restaurant the next day. Saturday was his best day of the week, with everyone being off and wanting to visit the shop. He had plenty of stock, but he’d have to replenish before Tuesday. No matter how hard he worked, the line never died down.
He stole glances over at Henry. Having the extra help was a godsend, but Henry was easy on the eyes. Henry smiled a lot and was personable. He worked hard and no one complained. The shirt clung to Henry’s upper body and accentuated his thin frame as he handed a man change, then smiled at Jack.
The smile warmed Jack to his core. He wanted to say something, but business was too good.
Jack resumed making hot dogs, but he couldn’t forget Henry’s question the day before.
Henry wanted to get with him. With me! Although the idea seemed strange, he rather liked knowing Henry had asked.
But Henry had to know by now that Jack was married to the shop.
He might be open for only four and a half hours, five days a week, but the restaurant consumed his life.
But he wanted Henry to follow through and ask him out. It was nice to know someone was interested in him. Henry fit his desires in a man—handsome, clean, he had a job outside of the shop, a source of income…self-sufficient.
Could they have a chance together?
Hell if I know.
At the end of the day, the line finally died down. “Henry? Put up the closed and sold-out signs.” Jack dropped the spatula. “We’ve run out of everything.”
“Will do.” Henry turned the open placard to closed, then propped the sold-out notice in one of the windows. “I’ve never seen that one. I’m assuming you don’t use it much?”
“Only maybe once a month.” Jack removed his gloves. “You must be good luck.”
“Or you’ve got good product.” Henry grinned. “I filled two money bags.”
Anna locked up. “If you two want to count, I’ll clean up out here.”
“Deal.” Jack tossed his gloves in the trash, then collected the bags from Henry. “Bring the register tape and drawer.”
Henry did as told and joined Jack in the office. “There’s still money in the drawer and I pulled the startup out before I filled the second bag. Make sure I counted it right.”
“Will do.” He sat across from Henry. “Count this bag and I’ll count this one, then we switch.”
Henry nodded.
Jack sorted the bills, but didn’t have to do much since Henry had already arranged it according to denomination and all going the same way.
He counted the cash and wrote his figure down, then counted again.
When he came up with the same number, he placed the money in the bag and switched with Henry.
He did the exact routine with the second amount of money.
“Well?” Henry flattened his hands on the table. “Those are my numbers.”
Jack ran through the figures. “They match what I got.”
“Cool,” Henry said. “I already counted the drawer. See if you get the same and I’ll recount the kitty.”
He nodded and tallied the cash in the drawer. Once finished, he checked his math with Henry’s. “We’ve got a match.”
“Yay.” Henry sighed. “Looks like you’ve had a good day.”
“It’s the best one in a long time.” Jack zipped the bags, then tucked them both in the safe. He’d retrieve them before he left. “Why don’t we go out to the dining room? Just sit a while with Anna?”
“Sure.” Henry hesitated. “I meant what I said. I’d like to go out with you. Even if it’s just coffee somewhere. Doesn’t have to be in Cedarwood, but I hear the new Brews is pretty good. Beck makes good coffee.”
“You’ve been seeing another restaurateur in your spare time?” He wanted to sound angry, but he wasn’t. He knew Henry. The attraction was real.
“I like coffee and they make good coffee to go.” Henry blushed from his hairline to his collar. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be.” He winked. “I’m not upset. I’ve never been to Brews, so you’ll have to take me some time.”
“I will.”
Jack followed Henry out of the office. He liked watching the sway of Henry’s ass when he walked.
Anna rounded the counter and joined them at the largest table. “Boys, I don’t know about you, but I’m tired.”
“You should be,” Jack said. “We had our fourth best day ever.” He poured three sodas, then brought them to the table. “Congrats, everyone.”
“Are you kidding?” Anna’s eyes shimmered. “Damn.”
“It’s great. I’ll be busy tomorrow ordering for Tuesday,” Jack said. He leaned back in his seat. “I don’t mind. I like busy days over the dry ones. Makes the time go faster.”
“It did.” Anna finished her soda. “And since I’m tired, you’re pooped and we all should get out of here, I’m leaving.” She stood, then slapped Jack on the shoulder. “Honey, if you don’t take this boy out for dinner or at least drinks later, you’ll regret it.”
Henry’s eyes widened but he said nothing.
Jack laughed. “Understood.” He loved her like a sister, but Anna could push. “Night.”
“See you,” she called and left Jack alone with Henry.
“Well,” Henry folded his hands on the table. “Are you busy tonight? Doing that ordering, right?”
“I’ll place the orders tomorrow.” Jack sipped the drink. “Do you have a thought on what I might be doing later?”
“I can cook. Why don’t we have dinner together.” Henry’s hands trembled. “I’ll cook for you since you’ve done it for me all these times.”
“I didn’t know you were a culinary wizard.” He’d overdone the compliment, but so what?
“I wouldn’t say wizard, but I’m decent. I can make fish and salad well.” He shrugged. “I took some cooking classes last summer when I got bored.” He paused. “Would you rather get drinks somewhere? I don’t mind.”
“How about a beer somewhere?” They should go somewhere public for an actual first date.
“Sure. What time?”
“Six.”
“Where?” Henry asked.
Good question. Shit. Where could they go that was public but not a skeevy bar? “How about the diner? Colt runs it and he’s good people. We can order a beer.”
“I’ll be there.” Henry held on to the soda cup. “I’ve been there a couple times. You’re right—Colt is good people. I like his work with the LGBTQ support group.”
“Then there we go.” Jack stood. “Why don’t we leave together? I’ve got to take that money out and I’d rather have another person there just in case.”
He’d forgotten all about the support group. He’d been invited to join and never found the time. “Sure.” Henry collected his phone and wallet from the office, then waited for Jack.
Once he’d locked up the front door and tucked the bags in his briefcase bag, Jack switched off the lights and tapped the pad to engage the security system. He locked the back door, then nodded toward the parking lot. He walked with Henry in silence to the car.
“Good?” Henry asked. “I’ll wait for you to drive off, then I will.”
“Thanks.” Courteous and concerned? He couldn’t wait for their meet-up that night. “See you later?”
“See you.” Henry dipped his head and stood by his car.
Jack settled behind the wheel and locked the doors. He hated carrying out so much money, but he had someone with him this time. He waved, then drove off. Henry’s smile warmed him to his core. He had a date tonight. A real one. And he hadn’t said no.
Crazy.
Late that afternoon, Henry arrived at the diner at half-past five. He wanted to be early. Colt, the owner of the diner, met him at the door.
“Henry, nice to see you.” Colt withdrew a menu. “One? Or are you with someone?”
“I’m meeting someone.” He rocked on his heels. He liked being able to say he wasn’t there alone.
“Nice. A date?” Colt gestured to one of the empty booths. “How about here? It’s quiet.” He directed him to the table. “I’m glad you’re seeing someone. You need a partner.”
“I’d like to think so, but that doesn’t mean anyone is interested.” Henry settled on the bench seat. “Are you going to be our waiter tonight?”
“I am, since it’s slow. What’ll you have?” Colt asked.
“How about some waters? We’ll have a beer, but I want to wait until he gets here.” Henry nodded. “Thanks. Were you slow today?”
“A little more than normal, but it’s nice out and people want to eat in the fresh air. Kind of hard when I don’t open the windows.” Colt left long enough to bring back waters. “We were rocking yesterday, so it was kind of nice to have a slower day. Gave everyone the chance to regroup.”
“I’ll bet.” He waited for Jack and his excitement grew. It’d been so long since he’d dated last—five years. God, he was out of the loop. Was he old? He was lonely.
“Hey, I’ll be right back.” Colt left again. When he returned, he ushered Jack to the table. “I’m going to assume this is your guy. I’ve heard you two have been chatting a lot lately. Gossip.” He shrugged. “It’s not my place.”
“Thanks and don’t sweat it.” Jack sat across from Henry. “How about two beers?”
“Very good.” Colt walked away.
Jack folded his hands around the water glass. “You’re early.”
“I like being early.” The tips of his ears burned. He wasn’t sure what to say. He’d been at the restaurant with Jack all day. Shit. He’d screw this up.
“Don’t apologize.” Jack reached across the table and held Henry’s hand. “Don’t be scared.”
“You can tell?” He sighed to settle his nerves. “I haven’t dated in a while.”
“It’s hard, but I haven’t either.” Jack nodded to him. “Where all have you traveled to? Have you seen Europe?”
“Every country.” This he could discuss. He toyed with the condensation on his glass.
“Britain was my favorite. I could travel all over eating fish and chips and not get tired of it.” He chuckled.
“London was fun. Lots of nightclubs and shopping. But I enjoyed Scotland, too. Ireland was good. Green like everyone says. Portugal was colorful, too. I could’ve eaten my way across Italy and Spain.
France…what can you say? It’s a romantic country.
” He caught himself. Romantic? What the hell?
He’d broken up with Paul right before he’d gone to Paris.
“I liked France, but it’s not as much fun to visit Paris when you’ve just been dumped. ”
“I bet not.” Jack rubbed the top of Henry’s hand. “Right before?”