Chapter 20
“Order for table 22,” Porter called out, sliding an order of scallops and salmon onto the counter. He turned back to the sauce he was working on for the chicken, and checked in with the other cooks to see how the crab cakes and filets were coming along.
He wiped his brow with the back of his hand. It had been a long night, and they were finally down to their last few tables. He hadn’t seen much of David, though he’d expected that. It would take a bit for him to come around.
He had seen Fiona as she picked up orders throughout the evening. He’d also seen her smile at Sergio and sit with him during her break, not that he was paying attention.
He also wasn’t paying attention when he heard Sergio make plans to go out with Jenna, another waitress, that night. Not that he cared. They could do whatever they wanted.
David had ducked out early that night, and he didn’t see Fiona before she left. Only a few members of the staff were around, each of them working to close up the restaurant.
Porter had nearly finished when he caught a glimpse of Sergio kissing Jenna in the hallway, before telling her he’d be right out.
Porter cleared his throat. It was none of his business. Truly. He shouldn’t get involved in his employees’ personal lives.
“Sergio–” he said, before he could stop himself.
Sergio walked around the corner. “What’s up, boss?”
Porter ran a hand through his hair. He already regretted what he was about to do.
“So, um…how are things?”
Sergio smiled, a confused expression on his face. “Pretty good. How are things with you?”
“Oh, fine.” Porter blew out a breath. “So you’re going out with Jenna tonight?”
Sergio narrowed his eyes. “Yeah,” he said, slowly. “Is that not allowed, or…?”
“No, no, it’s fine,” Porter said, trying his best to sound casual. “I just thought you were with Fiona, that’s all.”
Sergio crossed his arms, his dark eyes intent on Porter’s. Under his rolled sleeves, Porter could see the edge of a snake tattoo.
“Fiona and I are casual. We’ve been on a couple dates,” Sergio said, eyeing him closely. “She and I are on the same page.”
Porter thought through that, wondering if he could trust Sergio’s word.
“So she knows about you and Jenna?”
Porter was fairly certain he’d lost his damn mind. They were lucky Sergio had even accepted this job. He was taking a risk on a brand new restaurant, and Porter was prying into his social life? But it was too late now. The damage was done.
Realization flashed across Sergio’s face. “Why do you care so much?”
Porter didn’t answer.
Sergio nodded, and his expression softened into a knowing smile. “I didn’t know you were interested in Fiona. I’ll stop seeing her.”
“No, no,” Porter said, his voice frantic. “I’m not. Don’t stop seeing her on my account. Please.”
Sergio snorted. “You know your actions say otherwise, right?”
Porter crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, defeated.
“Do not say anything to her,” Porter asked, pleading. “It’s…complicated.”
Sergio raised an eyebrow. “How?”
“For starters, I’m her boss,” Porter told him.
“For now,” Sergio said. “She’s got what, two weeks left?”
Porter nodded silently.
“Listen,” Sergio said, hitting him lightly on the shoulder. “Whether you admit it or not, I won’t be going out with Fiona again. I can’t have you hating me because I’m with your girl.”
“She’s not my girl,” Porter said quickly, though he knew Sergio wasn’t buying it.
Porter blew out a breath. “Please. Don’t stop seeing her on my account.”
Sergio nodded. “Alright, how about this,” he suggested. “Fiona and I aren’t exclusive. Why don’t you ask her out? Let her decide what she wants to do.”
“No,” Porter said quickly. “That’s a terrible idea.”
“A worse idea than my boss watching my every move because I’m dating the woman he’s too scared to ask out?” Sergio asked, crossing his arms.
Porter ran a hand over his stubble, considering. Sergio wasn’t wrong.
“Fine,” Porter said. “I see your point.”
“Good luck, Port,” Sergio said, before heading out to meet Jenna.
“Night,” Porter said, suddenly exhausted. He was going to stay longer, but seeing as how he had agreed to an early brunch with his mother and aunt the next day, he decided to head home. He wondered what his mom’s take would be on this whole rental space situation. He was certain she would have plenty to say about it at brunch. For now, he would go home, try to rest, and hope that the next two weeks would pass quickly.
“You’re acting foolish.”
Martha sipped her mimosa as a gentle breeze rushed by. Porter was already regretting telling her and his aunt Mary about the rental space – and the women who were also interested in it.
“How is this foolish?” Porter asked, shielding his eyes from the blinding sun. It was nice enough to eat outside, but Porter could feel a migraine coming on.
“What are you thinking, expanding so soon? You’re busy enough as it is,” Martha told him.
“And don’t you worry about David,” Mary said. “He’s always got big ideas. He’ll be onto the next thing soon.”
Porter dropped his head in his hands. “You don’t think this would be a massive missed opportunity?”
“There will always be more opportunities,” Martha said, waving a hand.
“David’s not going to give up, I can tell you that much,” he said.
“What did you say the name of the girls’ new business was?” Martha asked, pulling out her phone.
“Savannah Glam, I think,” he said, and finished off the rest of his coffee.
“Ah,” she said. “I found their profile. Mary, you and I should book a session with them for your birthday.”
Porter frowned. “What?”
“Oh, it sounds fun!” Mary said gleefully.
Porter narrowed his eyes.
“What are you up to, mama?”
She smiled radiantly. “I feel like being pampered. And if I happen to get to know this Fiona a little better, then that’s the cherry on top.”
“Mama,” he said, as sternly as he could muster. “Don’t.”
“Oh, relax,” Martha said, chuckling. “I’m just curious, that’s all.”
Porter sighed.
“I can’t stop you, can I?”
“We are residents of this city, is it not our duty to help a new business thrive?”
Porter groaned. “Just don’t bring me up, alright? Things are weird enough.”
“We wouldn’t dream of it,” Aunt Mary said. “And don’t worry, when I visit David and Kim later, I’ll be sure to talk to him.”
“Great,” Porter said flatly. It seemed like every time he opened his mouth lately, he managed to make things worse.
“Another round of mimosas?” Martha asked, and Porter knew he was in for a long morning.