“Thanks,” I replied.
“If any of them give you a hard time, let me know. I’m not opening this place with any slackers on board. There’s a pile of applications on my desk from people who would gladly take their places.”
I didn’t doubt that. Other than the Kerrington Country Club, this was the only place in town that would bring in big tips.
“OK,” I said, looking away from him and back down at my hands.
“Get to it,” he barked at the rest of the room, causing me to jump. Then he patted my shoulder and walked out of the dining room.
The grumbles and complaints started as whispers and grew louder quickly. I thought I caught Elle’s name a few times. No one seemed concerned with doing what he’d just ordered them to do.
“Hey, Rose, you good?” Brad asked, as he stepped into the dining room from the kitchen.
I held up a napkin in my hand and forced a smile. “I have to teach everyone how to roll flatware,” I explained.
He looked around at the others, noticing their lack of concern, then frowned. “Hey!” he called out, getting their attention. When all eyes were on him, he pointed to me. “Y’all need to learn how to roll the fucking flatware, and Rose doesn’t have all damn day. Pay attention.”
Several of the females smiled at Brad as if they’d do whatever he wanted them to do. He was single and attractive, so I didn’t blame them. They stopped gossiping about where Elle might be and listened as I started the first of many lessons that day.
• • •
The word was that Captain had broken things off with Elle, and she was at home, pouting. Whatever the case, I was relieved to have a break from her for the next few days. But it was too much to hope that she wouldn’t come back. Girls like her didn’t give up without a fight.
Once everyone was clued in about why Elle wasn’t at work, they seemed more willing to listen to the flatware lesson. Brad checked in on me every thirty minutes or so to be sure I had their attention. I liked that about him. He was helpful and seemed to care. Again, it was a nice feeling. One I hadn’t had in a very long time.
“Hey,” Brad said now. “I tried a new entrée today for the menu. You interested in helping me taste it? We could eat it here or go back to your place and share it with Franny. A kid’s opinion might be good.”
I lifted my eyes to meet his while I polished the tables. I hadn’t heard him come in, but there he was again, being nice. “Uh, yeah. That sounds good. I mean, going to my place. Franny will need dinner.”
A grin broke across his face, making him appear even more handsome. “Great. I’ll pack everything up and meet you back here in a few.” He hurried back to the kitchen.
With a pleased smile on my lips, I bent down to finish polishing the thick mahogany wood of the tabletop I was working on. Captain had said they needed to shine.
“You and Brad seeing each other?” Captain’s deep voice filled the room, making my heart flutter. Frustrated, I shoved the feeling away and stood up to look at him. His expression wasn’t friendly or curious but, rather, stern.
“We’re, uh, friends. I think,” I replied. Because honestly, I wasn’t sure what we were yet.
“You think?” He seemed annoyed by my answer.
Straightening my spine, I held his gaze and gave him back the same annoyed expression he was giving me. “I don’t see how this is your business.”
A smirk touched his lips, and he tilted his head slightly to the left, but his eyes were hard. Nothing like River’s. Not when he looked like that. “Brad’s the best chef in the Southeast. I won’t fire him. It’ll be you that’s gone if things don’t work out. Understood?”
The ache in my chest was back. I hated seeing this side of him. It was something I’d never experienced directed at me. Letting go of the past was hard, but he was making it easier with moments like these. I’d never be able to say goodbye to River—he’d always be a part of me—but I was preparing myself to let go of him.
“I understand,” I replied through clenched teeth.
“Hey, Rose . . .” Brad’s voice trailed off as he walked into the room. “Oh, hey, Captain. I tried out that entrée we discussed. Rose and I are going to her place to test it.” He held up the carryout boxes in his hands. “We’ll let you know our verdict.”
Captain gave a stiff nod and left the room without a word.
Captain
I was in a shitty mood. Eating dinner with my sister wasn’t something I wanted to do tonight, but canceling on her wasn’t an option, either. If I tried to back out of it, she’d pout, and her husband would show up at my house pissed. So to avoid the drama, I decided to go.
Pulling up outside their mansion on the beach, I did a quick scan of the cars in the driveway and was relieved to see that it was just us. She hadn’t invited the rest of her friends. Tonight I wasn’t in the mood for all the happy couples and their kids.
When I reached the door, I rang the bell and waited. I could hear small feet running inside just before a thump hit the door.
“I got it!” my nephew called out. He was three going on twenty.
The door swung open, and I looked down to see Nate Finlay smiling up at me with a big, toothy grin. His silver-gray eyes were his father’s. Heck, most of the kid was like his father. Blaire couldn’t claim much.
“Hey, Unca Cap,” he said, as he held out his fist for me to bump.
I reached down and bumped his fist, then made sure to “blow it up,” or he’d make me do it again until I got it right. I’d learned that lesson already. “Hey, kid,” I said.