21
Nothing Unusual
Kuch flexed his neck from left to right, then rolled his shoulders. “Man it was crazy tonight. I’m beat.”
He’d just finished wiping down the bar. It had been particularly busy and there were a few customers still lingering over coffee. Dani, Kuch, Nicole and Rosa were the only restaurant staff left, the kitchen had closed nearly an hour ago.
Jerome looked at his watch. It was eleven forty. “You can go, Kuch.”
“Thanks, but that’s okay, I’m taking Nicole and Rosa home and she’s still got two tables.”
“I’ll take care of them. Mine have just finished dessert so they’ll just want coffee. I can manage,” Dani offered. She’d had the afternoon hours off today and she was feeling for Rosa and Kuch. It had been their turn to work through.
Jerome turned to look at the four tables left. Rosa’s would be leaving anytime soon and the two tables in Dani’s section would take thirty minutes tops. He sucked on his top teeth. If Kuch left he’d be alone with Dani. The thought both thrilled and worried him.
“You guys get off, Dani and I can manage these last few tables.”
“Are you sure?” Rosa asked as one of her tables asked for the bill.
“See, we’ll be out of here in twenty minutes” Jerome jerked his head towards the table. He smiled tightly at Rosa, feeling decidedly unsettled.
Within ten minutes Kuch, Rosa and Nicole had left, along with one of Dani’s tables, leaving Dani and Jerome alone with the two remaining tables of six and four.
Both groups were in good spirits and seemed oblivious to the time.
Dani cleared the vacated tables and started to reset them ready for tomorrow, while Jerome took the coffee order for Dani and headed back to the bar.
“What do they need?” she asked slipping behind the counter.
“Four cappuccinos and two decaf espressos.”
Dani huffed, why did they bother with decaf? She thought. The whole point of coffee was the caffeine.
“Pour them some shots of grappa too, on the house.”
Dani nodded, quickly putting the drinks on the tray, then Jerome took over the order.
She watched as he continued to charm the customers even though she knew he must be tired and needed to head off to Sky.
He assured them they weren’t in any hurry and made some joke that they all laughed at.
Then the table of four asked for the bill and Dani quickly prepared it and took it over.
“Looks like these will be here for a little longer than twenty minutes.” Jerome raised his brows apologetically.
“That’s okay, I’ll reset the table.” Dani smiled up at him.
Jerome narrowed his eyes at her and suddenly she blushed at his intensity.
She looked away quickly, acutely aware that they were the only staff members left.
Determined to keep the conversation on a professional level Dani signalled to the reservations book. “What’s it like tomorrow?”
“I’ll have a look and maybe we can sort out the lunch and evening reservations while we’re stuck here. I’m not entirely sure if Peter’s going to be in tomorrow.”
Dani let herself look at him and smiled. “Sure. I’ll give you a hand.”
“Can you manage for a moment?” Jerome signalled to the table and Dani nodded.
Stepping into the cold night air Jerome felt the damp on his face.
He pulled out his cigarettes and lit one, dragging hard.
He’d hardly had time to smoke tonight. He looked down at the glowing tip of his cigarette thinking he really should try and quit.
He remembered he only used to smoke four or five a day, socially mainly, but over the past year or so he’d begun to smoke much more and in the last month he was sure he’d smoked over a packet a day.
He frowned, then took another drag. What with all the stress, he was surprised he wasn’t a chain smoker.
He opened the packet and saw he’d only smoked half of them today.
He glanced back at the entrance hearing Dani’s laugh.
He smiled to himself. She must have gone over to the table again.
He leaned over to the ashtray and stubbed out his half-smoked cigarette.
Who was he kidding? He hadn’t really wanted a smoke, the time had literally flown by today and he’d hardly missed his nicotine fix.
He’d just needed the distance from Dani.
Dani was standing by the bar looking over the reservations book when Jerome re-entered the restaurant.
He took a moment to drink in her profile.
The past few days, working closely with her, had been a welcome distraction from the troubles he was facing at home.
But he knew he was playing with fire if he let this go further than just harmless flirting.
He huffed to himself, harmless was probably not the right word.
If Liz was making an effort, then the least he could do was at least try and forgive her.
He took in a deep breath and headed in to the bar.
“So, have you managed to sort out all the reservations, then?” he joked.
Dani looked up at him and smirked at the playful mocking of his tone, then held up one finger.
“Just give me two more minutes,” she joked back and Jerome laughed softly at her.
He was getting used to her sharp wit. She’d surprised him on a few occasions but now he’d grown comfortably familiar with her unguarded responses.
In fact he looked forward to them. Their conversations seemed to be peppered with some sort of joke or play on words and Dani’s quick comebacks kept him on his toes.
He perched on one of the stools and leaned over closer. Dani took in a deep breath enjoying the familiar fresh scent of his chosen cologne and the hint of smoke.
“You weren’t kidding,” he scoffed, clearly impressed.
Dani twisted her mouth, stifling a grin, then trained her focus on the book, avoiding looking at him directly. “Well, I’ve managed the lunches and most of the evening reservations. But this one here, look.” Dani pointed to an entry with her pen. “I can’t make out if it’s three people or eight.”
Jerome leaned in closer to get a better look at Peter’s bad handwriting, his shoulder brushed against Dani’s arm causing her to step away from him.
“Oh sorry.”
“That’s okay,” she replied quickly, though she was anything but. Even his accidental brushing had her senses reeling.
“Hmm, if it’s an eight we’ll need to put them on table fifteen.” He swivelled around to view the restaurant. “But if it’s a three… table five,” he mulled.
“I was thinking table nineteen and if it ends up being eight we can join up table twenty.”
Jerome turned back to the bar and pulled at his bottom lip as he thought for a moment, then looked up at Dani who was waiting for a response, “I think you’re right.”
Dani’s lips curled into a smile, then she wrote the table number next to the reservation. She could feel Jerome still looking at her and instinctively she turned to return his gaze. Her heart raced at his close proximity but she was determined to keep her head. Keep professional, she told herself.
Dani managed to squeeze out of her throat. “That leaves us five tables free for any more reservations that may come in after nine thirty tomorrow.”
“Hmm.” Jerome’s brow furrowed for a moment. “You’ve been a great help over the past two days.”
Dani shrugged indicating it was nothing.
“You’re making us rely on you,” he smirked. “I know Peter does and Mama.”
“I’m happy to help. As I’ve said before, I really like working here.” Dani felt a rush at the idea of being valued by him.
“Good. I know that you’re over qualified for this job. We wouldn’t want to lose you.”
Dani swallowed the lump in her throat, acutely aware that they were a foot apart and his magnificent eyes were fixed on her. “I’m not going anywhere,” she answered quietly.
Jerome licked his lips slowly and nodded, he then turned to look at the table of six who were laughing at something one of them had said.
“Looks like they’re enjoying themselves.”
Dani turned to look at the table. “Yes, I should go and ask them if they want more coffee.”
“Hmm. I think I’m going to need one too.”
“Okay, I’ll just check on them and I’ll make you one.”
“No, it’s okay. I’ll go.”
The table of six ordered a couple more coffees and some more drinks. After Dani prepared them she pushed an espresso over to Jerome but decided to stay on the inside of the bar, ensuring some distance.
Jerome looked at his watch it was ten past midnight. “You should go, Dani. It’s going to be busy tomorrow. They’ll be going soon, I can finish up here. I really don’t need you to stay on.”
“That’s alright I’ll stay.” She hated the idea of him sitting here all alone but she couldn’t admit to that.
“You’ve a long drive home.” Jerome picked up his coffee and took a sip.
“It’s only about twenty minutes at this time. It winds me down after here.” She shrugged.
“Yes, I know what you mean. I find it hard to relax after here.” He placed his cup down and toyed with the teaspoon. “How’s the house hunting going?”
Dani huffed. “Not so good.”
“You’re not happy at your sisters?”
“I love being there. But I need to be closer to here and I need my independence.”
Jerome nodded thoughtfully. There were so many questions he wanted to ask her but he wasn’t sure if it was entirely appropriate for him to open up that door with Dani.
Not yet anyway. It would change their dynamic, bring them closer together and he knew that could make things complicated for him.
His troubled thoughts were interrupted by the urgent ringing of his phone.
He pulled it out of his inside pocket and looked at the screen.
It was Paul, his head of security at Sky.
“Hi, Paul, what’s up?”
“Just checking that you’re okay. You’re normally in by eleven thirty. Is everything alright?”
Jerome smiled, thankful he had such a good friend, always watching his back. “Yeah, I’m fine. Still at La Casa. How’s everything?”
“We’re full already. It’s going to be a long night,” he joked.