Chapter Twenty-Four
Right before a group of seven of my teammates and I walk into Boots, I receive a text from Ellie.
I read it surreptitiously as we’re led by a hostess back to a large round table near the rear of the establishment.
Ellie informs me that though she can’t cut her shift short, like I asked if she could, she’s going to stay in the employee break room while Sammie covers her tables.
It’s not ideal, as I’d rather she head out of here and make her way home, but this is better than having her out in the actual dining area, waiting on tables.
As I take a seat between Arden and Finn, I text back, Okay, sounds good. I’ll keep things under control out here.
Since I have a view of where the employee lounge is located, and I’m next to Arden, keeping things “under control” should be easy.
I also have Finn to help out. He knows the general situation, and I’ll clue him in when I can on this new update, so he can make sure Arden doesn’t go wandering around and happen upon his sister.
Not that he would, but we have to be ready for anything at this point.
As it turns out, Sammie is our server, which means Ellie would have been had her friend not covered for her.
I blow out a relieved breath.
Already, we’ve avoided a disaster.
Sammie takes our orders quickly and efficiently, giving me a sly wink before she walks away, like she and I are in on something.
Fuck, we are. Our combined mission is to keep Arden and Ellie apart.
I’m antsy and on edge initially, but as time wears on and our drinks and dinners arrive, I’m put at ease.
My teammates and I are having a fun time. Everyone is laughing and enjoying good food and great company.
One thing about Boots—their dinners are top-notch. Most of us ordered the surf and turf—filet mignon and lobster tail. A couple of the guys, however, opted for grilled chicken instead.
In any case, we all agree that the food is fantastic.
Since usually one of us picks up the tab for everyone, and I haven’t done so in a long while, I inform my teammates that tonight’s on me.
Among a chorus of “Thank you, man,” I raise my hand and get Sammie’s attention.
When she comes over to our table, I let her know to put everything on one check and give it to me.
“Okay.” She nods. “I can do that.”
She stops by another table before I see her slipping into the employee lounge. She’s only back there a minute or so, and then she’s heading into the kitchen to pick up food for other tables.
Damn, just knowing Ellie is in that lounge—so close, and yet so far away—makes me want to jump up and fucking run to her.
Of course, I don’t. I just sit and make small talk with my teammates, counting down the minutes until we can all just leave.
But then some of the guys want to order dessert, including Arden.
Great, we’re stuck here a while longer.
Sammie finishes taking the dessert orders. But, before she walks off, she looks around to make sure no one is paying attention.
Since the guys are engaged in a lively conversation, she leans down and asks me, “Can I speak with you alone for a second? I have a question about the check.”
I’m kind of surprised, as I have no idea what the issue could be, but I nod and, as I stand up, say, “Sure.”
I follow her over to one of the computers where the servers key in their orders. Once we’re stopped, she prints out something.
“What’s up?” I ask.
She shows me the printout and taps on it, but I quickly realize this is just a cover. The check isn’t even ours. It’s like some mock-tab, probably for training purposes.
Pretending to show me something on the faux tab, she says, “Hey, Ellie wanted me to ask you if you’re, as she put it, feeling adventurous?”
Chuckling, but studying the printout in case any of the guys are watching, I ask, “And just what does that mean?”
Softly, she says, “Ellie said to tell you that she thinks you should sneak back and say ‘hi’ to her before you leave. I think she mentioned something about a kiss too.”
Damn, this is just too tempting.
So I say to Sammie, “Tell her I’ll find a way to sneak back while the guys are eating their desserts.”
Crumpling the phony check, she tosses it into a wastebasket next to the station.
“Great,” she says loudly. “I’m glad we got that all straightened out, Mr. Sten. I’ll re-key in your entrees.”
Playing along as I prepare to walk away, I say, “Yeah, me too. Thanks for pointing out that error and fixing it.”
On my way back to the table, it’s all I can do not to break into a huge grin.
Sneaky little Ellie. She’s so bad, tempting fate this way.
But that’s one reason why I love her.
I’m right there with her.
I wish I could tell Finn what’s going on, so he’d know that when I announce that I have to hit the men’s room, which is going to be my cover to go see Ellie, he needs to keep Arden occupied.
Hopefully, though, the dessert will do the trick.
When I sit back down at the table, the sweet confections are starting to arrive.
Good.
When Arden’s cheesecake is placed in front of him, I push out my chair and say, “Hey, I’ll be back. I’m going to hit the men’s room.”
No one pays me much heed, which is what I expected. I only made the announcement for Arden’s sake, so he’s not wondering where I went.
I try to get Finn’s attention so I can shoot him a meaningful glance or some shit, but he’s busy talking to Hayden.
Oh well, I’ll only be a minute or so.
Then we’ll all be out of here and on our way to our homes, no harm, no foul.
One little pit stop to give my girl a kiss?
Hell, it’s worth taking a chance.
Besides, I’m sure everything will be fine.