Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 72059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Galvin repeated the orders and then made her way back to the counter where she went over the items listed on her order pad, added the order to the wheel for the cook, and went to her next table. After serving other customers, she came back to the Carter table with four fresh drinks, taking their empty glasses away.
“Your meals should be up any minute now,” she said, trying to treat them like any other customers versus the men who could get her fired from her job. At the thought, a pit formed in her stomach. She quickly backed away from the table and made her way into the kitchen where she went right to the prep line to see where her order was.
“How much longer on my four top?”
“Plating right now,” Andy said as he moved plates around. “Give me a minute.”
“Is there anything I can help with?”
“Fill the sauce cups.”
She did and doubled checked her ticket to make sure everything was perfect.
“What’s the deal?” Andy asked. “Is there a food critic out there or something?”
“No, Jack and Pearl’s sons are and they’re in my section.”
Andy started laughing. He keeled over and heaved in big gusts of air. When he righted, he wiped fake tears from his eyes.
“What’s so funny?”
“You, going to the extra mile for them.”
“Uh . . . they could complain to Jack or Penny, and I’d lose my job.”
Another bout of laughter rolled through him. “You would need to physically harm one of the boys for them to complain. They’re literally the nicest guys in town.”
“Still.”
“Stop worrying your pretty little head over them.”
It was easy for Andy to think. He was a local and had been working for the Carter’s for some time. Galvin shook her head and picked up the first two plates and set them on her arm. She reached for the next one, but Andy took it and the last one.
“What are you doing?”
“Showing you that you have nothing to worry about.”
It took her a minute to gain her composure and while she had, Andy walked out of the kitchen and into the dining area. “Shit,” she muttered, and she tried to catch up. Galvin reached the table just as Andy started talking. She cringed when she overheard him say, “Sail, you mother fucker. I didn’t know you were home.”
Well, there goes my tip.
Galvin set the plates she held down in front of Dune and Crew, and then took the two Andy had. Putting Tidal’s in front of him first, not realizing she left Sail’s for last. Not that he’d notice because he was deep in conversation with Andy. Or so she thought.
She used this opportunity to look at him, just this once, while he was occupied. Except Sail glanced at her right when she gave him an appraising look. He licked his lips and winked. Galvin held his gaze until something crashed in the kitchen. She cleared her throat and turned her attention to Dune.
“If you guys need anything else, let me know.”
As far as she was concerned, they had everything. She hadn’t missed anything in their order, drinks were full, and she had filled the condiment bottles earlier. She excused herself and walked to the back to collect her thoughts.
In the bathroom, she gripped the porcelain sink and stared at her reflection in the mirror. Pink cheeks, sweat pooling at her hairline, and a rapidly beating heart. Sail had gotten to her. The problem, with the exception to the obvious, was she wasn’t sure she even liked him. Yes, he was nice to look at, but he was a bit too cocky for her liking, and she had a feeling he had plenty of women falling at his feet.
All but her.
She would never.
Galvin washed her hands and wetted a paper towel to dab at her face. Her shift was almost over and then she’d head upstairs, heat up some leftovers and watch one of the streaming apps her father graciously paid for.
Back in the diner, she served her other tables, refilled drinks, and cleared tables as people finished their meals. Some ordered dessert, while most paid their check and left.
The Carter boys did not leave.
Even after they ate dessert.
The four of them sat there, chatting like they hadn’t seen each other in years. From what Sail told her, he’d been away at college, but certainly he came home to visit.
“Sorry to interrupt,” she said when she approached their table. “My shift is over and wanted to let you know Rhianna will get you gentlemen whatever you need.”
“Can you get us our check?” Sail asked.
She must’ve looked at him like he had three heads because he repeated himself and then said, “You know the paper thing we use to pay our bill.”
“Oh. I . . . uh . . .”
Dune shook his head. “No, ma’am. We pay for our food here.”