AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I winked at her to show her my thanks and was truly smiling when I looked back at Jacob, but that smile wavered when I saw through the wide-open front glass that Mason, Justin, and Ben were heading into the diner. Without another thought, I dropped into a squat behind the counter and swore at myself in my head as my thighs instantly burned. I wasn’t a squat girl.
Jacob leaned over the counter and his eyes lit up like a cartoon, nearly popping out of his head like one, too, when he saw me. “What are you doing?”
I held my dress to my chest so he’d stop looking down it and pretended to look for something on the shelves under the bar. “Just looking for something. I’ll take your order in just a second.”
“I’ll just take my usual. You were right. Smart and beautiful. That’s a deadly combination.” He kept staring down at me. “How are you liking Lilyfield?”
I yanked out my order pad and scribbled his usual on it. I didn’t know how I was going to get it to Aaron, the chef, but I’d done part of my job. I crab walked over a few feet, my thighs on fire the entire time, and glanced up at the small window to the kitchen where we hung the order sheets. Maybe if I hopped up really fast, the guys wouldn’t see me? If Joanie came back, I could have her put it on the wheel for Aaron to see.
“Violet?” Jacob said my name too loud and he was following me down the bar, still hanging over it to see me. “I asked how you’re liking Lilyfield.”
I looked up, ready to strangle him, and watched as Jacob’s face was replaced by Mason’s. I heard Jacob grunt and start to complain before going silent. Mason’s expression was too amused as he leaned his elbows on the bar and rested his chin on his hands. My heart pounded and the burn in my thighs faded slightly as a different burn started between them.
“Whatcha doing?” Mason’s grin was painfully handsome and caused my brain to conjure up images of strawberry lube and PumpMaster 2000s.
Since my cover was blown, I cleared my throat and stood up, only stumbling a bit when my sore thighs revolted. I spun around to clip Jacob’s order to the wheel for Aaron and when I turned back around, all three men were standing in front of me, their eyes obviously on my ass. I clutched my notepad in my hands. “Just looking for something.”
Justin nodded like he believed me. “That’s definitely more likely than what we thought. Which was that you saw us coming and ducked down behind this bar to hide.”
I forced a laugh. “Of course, not. Why would I hide?”
Ben turned a glare on Jacob who was abnormally silent in his seat. “I can think of one reason a woman in your position might hide.”
Joanie came out, spotted the guys, and grinned so wide twin dimples appeared deep in her cheeks. “Well, well, well. Look who’s back in town and gracing us with their presence. I would ask what we did to deserve an in-person visit, but I think I already know.”
Mason straightened and grinned at me. “I never understood the uniforms before. Good pick, Joanie.”
My mouth parted in shock. I couldn’t believe his boldness, to openly hint at enjoying my body.
“Mason Parker! Don’t harass my employees. Especially Violet. She’s everyone’s new favorite. I swear, twice as many men from the training facility have been coming in since she started.” Joanie grabbed my hand under the bar and squeezed it when she saw I was about to open my mouth and correct her. “Maybe it’s even more than twice as many.”
I got what she was doing but I was so embarrassed. The guys didn’t care about that. She was trying to make them jealous, but I only wanted to cringe and run away.
“Are any of them bothering you, Violet?” Ben’s voice was serious as he watched me.
Joanie squeezed my hand harder and then let go and moved away. “Vi can handle a little innocent male attention. Isn’t that right, Vi? Now, I need to get to work on the budget. If you need me, just shout.”
CHAPTER 9
Violet
Sweat beaded in the center of my back. I wasn’t built for lying, in any capacity. Aaron tapped the bell to let me know an order was ready and I jumped at the chance to recover. I grabbed the plate and saw it was Jacob’s. I moved and set it down in front of him. Pouring him a cup of coffee, I paused. “Need anything else, Jacob?”
He looked down at the guys and then up at me. His voice was barely above a whisper when he spoke. “Why didn’t you tell me you were dating those three?”
I put his coffee down and stared straight at him, not daring to look down the bar at the guys. “I’m not.”
He seemed confused, but it didn’t seem to matter what I said. “Whatever. Just keep it professional with me from now on.”
For the second time in so few minutes, my mouth dropped open. I shook my head, knowing there was nothing I could say that would make me want to throat punch Jacob less. Moving back down the bar, I looked up at the guys and narrowed my eyes at them. “Are you three going to sit and order food?”
Ben shot Jacob another glare. “If he bothers you again, let me know. I’ll handle it.”
Justin patted Ben’s shoulder and nodded to me. “We’re taking that booth over there. Can you take a break soon to talk to us about Forrest?”
“Maybe.”
He grinned. “I guess we could just ask questions while you take our order and bring us food. That feels a little hectic, though.”
