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As I take a seat between Arden and Finn, I text back, Okay, sounds good. I’ll keep things under control out here.
Since I have a view of where the employee lounge is located, and I’m next to Arden, keeping things “under control” should be easy.
I also have Finn to help out. He knows the general situation, and I’ll clue him in when I can on this new update, so he can make sure Arden doesn’t go wandering around and happen upon his sister.
Not that he would, but we have to be ready for anything at this point.
As it turns out, Sammie is our server, which means Ellie would have been had her friend not covered for her.
I blow out a relieved breath.
Already, we’ve avoided a disaster.
Sammie takes our orders quickly and efficiently, giving me a sly wink before she walks away, like she and I are in on something.
Fuck, we are. Our combined mission is to keep Arden and Ellie apart.
I’m antsy and on edge initially, but as time wears on and our drinks and dinners arrive, I’m put at ease.
My teammates and I are having a fun time. Everyone is laughing and enjoying good food and great company.
One thing about Boots—their dinners are top-notch. Most of us ordered the surf and turf—filet mignon and lobster tail. A couple of the guys, however, opted for grilled chicken instead.
In any case, we all agree that the food is fantastic.
Since usually one of us picks up the tab for everyone, and I haven’t done so in a long while, I inform my teammates that tonight’s on me.
Among a chorus of “Thank you, man,” I raise my hand and get Sammie’s attention.
When she comes over to our table, I let her know to put everything on one check and give it to me.
“Okay.” She nods. “I can do that.”
She stops by another table before I see her slipping into the employee lounge. She’s only back there a minute or so, and then she’s heading into the kitchen to pick up food for other tables.
Damn, just knowing Ellie is in that lounge—so close, and yet so far away—makes me want to jump up and fucking run to her.
Of course, I don’t. I just sit and make small talk with my teammates, counting down the minutes until we can all just leave.
But then some of the guys want to order dessert, including Arden.
Great, we’re stuck here a while longer.
Sammie finishes taking the dessert orders. But, before she walks off, she looks around to make sure no one is paying attention.
Since the guys are engaged in a lively conversation, she leans down and asks me, “Can I speak with you alone for a second? I have a question about the check.”
I’m kind of surprised, as I have no idea what the issue could be, but I nod and, as I stand up, say, “Sure.”
I follow her over to one of the computers where the servers key in their orders. Once we’re stopped, she prints out something.
“What’s up?” I ask.
She shows me the printout and taps on it, but I quickly realize this is just a cover. The check isn’t even ours. It’s like some mock-tab, probably for training purposes.
Pretending to show me something on the faux tab, she says, “Hey, Ellie wanted me to ask you if you’re, as she put it, feeling adventurous?”
Chuckling, but studying the printout in case any of the guys are watching, I ask, “And just what does that mean?”
