“Sid’s lending me his place for the weekend and I thought I’d grab a quick bite on my way. I heard the food is good here. And the staff is hot.” He does a quick but overt head-to-toe scan of my uniform, making me flush.
His face breaks out in a wide grin.
“People are going to be talking.” At least we’re near a server station, away from prying ears as long as we keep our voices down.
“About what? Me, saying hello to you and then eating?” He mocks me, his face transforming with an innocent mask. I can only shake my head at him. And try not to let everyone see how enamored I am.
“What time does your shift end?”
“Two-ish. I have to get home in time to pick up Brenna from school. And then I’m back for a dinner shift.”
He frowns. “Any chance you can get out of it?”
“Of working? No, I can’t do that to Lou.” Even though all I want is to toss aside my apron and steal away with him right this moment.
“Do what to me?” Lou appears out of nowhere.
“Nothing. Lou, this is Brett Madden. Brett, this is my boss, Lou.”
She gives him a simple nod, as if he’s just another customer passing through, but I don’t miss the appraising look in her eyes. She has a tendency to dissect people on first impression and make a decision about them then and there. She’s rarely wrong.
“Hello, Lou. I was just asking if Cath had to work tonight.” Brett smiles.
“Well, funny thing. You wouldn’t believe it, but I messed up with the schedule and overstaffed tonight. Tomorrow morning, too.”
“What?”
“So you can take off for the day when your shift is done.”
“But, I need to make—”
Her glare makes my complaint drop off. With a nod Brett’s way, she marches off.
Leaving me with a grinning Brett. “Well, that worked out well. Now you and Brenna can come up to Sid’s place for the night. You’ll love it there.”
My stomach flutters with the thought of another night with Brett, even as my heart swells with the fact that he automatically included my daughter in our plans. I shake my head. “You sure about wanting her there?”
Those dimples appear. “I’ve fully accepted the reality of a lot of cold showers in my future, if that’s what you mean, yes.” His gaze flickers over the diner before coming back to me, dropping to my lips for just a second. “I’m starving. What do you think about letting me grab a table?”
I think that maybe it’s time I take advantage of my parents’ offer to take Brenna for a night.
“Of course.” I lead him to Wendy, the newest hostess—because Lou had to fire yet another one for missing too many shifts.
“Hey, Donovan. Wendy, can you put them at Table Ten.”
She frowns a little. “But I thought you were covering—”
“Table Ten.” I give her a knowing look.
She shrugs. “Okay!” Her starry eyes flash to Brett before smoothly divertin. “Follow me.”
I smile sweetly to him. “Enjoy your lunch.” I smile sweetly to him and then head for the swinging door into the kitchen.
“The rush comin’ in yet?” Leroy stands at the counter, peeling potatoes—menial work that his staff should be doing, but he finds it therapeutic.
“Not yet.”
He watches me pass him and peek out over the food service counter. “What’re you up to?”
“A peace offering.” I grin, watching Wendy lead Brett and Donovan to their table. “And cheap entertainment.”
Misty sees them sit down in her section—because her eyes haven’t left Brett since he walked through the door—and her face lights up. Scanning the restaurant, she finally catches my eye.
“Thank you!” she mouths.
Brett is still getting settled when Misty rushes over to greet them and her hands start flapping in that excited way that makes me think of a baby bird trying to fly. I can’t hear what she’s saying, but her voice is at least five octaves higher than normal borderline squealing.
Donovan, who hides his emotions better than anyone I’ve ever met, is struggling to maintain his composure.
I can’t keep my snort down.
“You are a cruel person, subjecting him to that,” Lou mutters, standing next to me to take in the show, her arms folded over her ample chest.
“He loves the attention.”
“About as much as a cattle prod up his behind, from the looks of it.”
Leroy takes my other side to find out what we’re gawking at. His deep chuckle warms my heart. “I don’t know many women who would willingly throw Misty at their man. The girl’ll be talking about him for the next week.”
“He’s not my man,” I correct him. And oddly, it never even fazed me for a second, the idea of a woman all over him. Perhaps it’s because it’s Misty, who I don’t feel threatened by. Or maybe it’s because somewhere along the line, I’ve decided that I can trust Brett not to hurt me like that.
“Uh-huh.” Leroy lets out a loud bark of laughter as Misty bends over to force Brett into a picture. Donovan is busy scanning their surroundings, pretending his client isn’t being half mauled by a big-breasted blonde waitress.
“Go on and save him before I have to fire Misty for harassing my customers,” Lou scolds, struggling to smother her own smile.
“Well, that would free up your overbooked schedule.” I don’t hide the sarcasm from my tone as I move away from the view of the kitchen window.
Her eyes flash to me once before shifting away.
“I’ve been here for six and a half years and you’ve never messed up a schedule.”
“What can I say? I guess I’m getting old and forgetful. Right, Leroy?”
“Yes, ma’am. She can’t remember my name half the time. Keeps callin’ me ‘fool.’ ”
“Fool is your name half the time, dear.”
Clanks sound as the dishwasher, Carl, sets a rack of freshly washed glasses on the table for me to take out front, throwing a wink before ambling back to his station.
“Tell me the truth, did Brett call here and make you give me tonight off?” Because it all seemed to work too smoothly, otherwise.
“When has anyone ever made me do anything?” She scoffs.
“Fine. Don’t tell me.” I head for the front with my arms loaded.
“Looks like I messed up tomorrow afternoon’s schedule, too, so you may as well take the whole weekend off.”
I sigh, knowing there’s no point arguing with her.
And the heady rush of anticipation begins to flow through my veins.
Chapter 27
I’m pleasantly surprised to find that Sid Durrand’s chalet in the Poconos is a rustic cabin trimmed in maroon detail, rather than the opulent mansion I had prepared myself for on the half-hour drive up. It’s also massive—two stories and sprawling—and surrounded by lush trees on a private property that must be several acres in size.
I pull up next to Donovan’s SUV, noting that it’s the only other vehicle parked here. Brett didn’t specify who else was coming tonight, but given he was okay with Brenna tagging along, I’m guessing there aren’t plans for a raging hockey team reunion.