Even though doing so went against every instinct in her body.
At the entrance, one hand on the door handle, she turned to face Colton, trying again to send him packing. For some reason, this was a spectacle she didn’t want him to see. “Thanks for the ride.”
He nodded. “No problem. I’ll bring you home, too. What time do you get off work?”
She blew her breath out. “I don’t know. Could I call you when I need you to pick me up? Or, maybe I could get a ride. I’m thinking I’ll be working late, until whatever time this place closes.”
“That would be 2:00 a.m.” Expression implacable, he stopped her with a touch on her arm. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
Though every instinct screamed no, she nodded. “I have to. You’ve done more than enough to help me out. I couldn’t possibly accept any more.”
“All right, then.” He pulled open the door. “After you.”
Staring up at him with a sinking heart, she realized he meant to stay. The thought crossed her mind that his presence would make her role playing more difficult, though she wasn’t sure why. This felt all wrong.
Yet, he wasn’t her mate.
She lifted her chin. Her emotions made no sense. Colton wasn’t her other half. Neither was Leo. Maybe she was one of those shifters destined to spend her life alone, watching from the sidelines. She had no mate, nor would she. Ever. She was no longer Pack. Right now, she was only Jewel Smith, a mostly human woman made destitute by a fire, needing to work so she could escape and stay alive.
She stepped through the door, keeping her head high.
Instantly, the noise level died from a steady roar to a low hum as everyone turned to stare.
“Hey, baby,” one man called out. Someone else whistled.
From her side, Colton glared. “You’d think you’d never seen a new waitress before.” His tone contained a warning.
“Not one that good-looking.” The man who’d whistled stood. Two of his buddies instantly dragged him back down.
Her new boss, Big Al, materialized from the back. “I don’t want any fights in here,” he warned Colton.
“And I need this job,” she seconded. Taking a deep breath, she headed toward the kitchen.
After a brief conversation with Colton, Big Al followed.
“Everyone, gather around,” he hollered. “Cooks, waitresses, barkeeps, all of you.” Then, one by one, he introduced her to her new co-workers.
After the fifth name, Jewel knew she’d never remember. She focused on the names of the three other waitresses. Sarah, a dark haired woman, was about Jewel’s age, while Jolene and Carrie Ann were much older. The two bartenders on duty that night seemed pleasant enough, as did the cooks and dishwashers and busboys. Once Al showed her how to punch the time clock and explained what was expected of her, she was handed a pad and pencil and put to work.
The rest of the night passed in a blur. But always, though he wasn’t in her section, she was conscious of Colton sitting at a table in the back, nursing a beer and watching her.
Somehow, he made her feel protected. Foolish, she knew, and even more unwise to enjoy the feeling.
While running trays of drinks out to the crowded, mostly male tables wasn’t difficult, it was exhausting. A few hours into the evening, Jewel’s back ached and her thighs and calves felt swollen.
Carrying a tray loaded with beers to a rowdy group of city workers, Jewel spotted a familiar face. The man who reminded her of Leo’s friends, the man Colton had met for lunch. Sitting alone at a table. Watching her.
Prickles of alarm skittered down her spine.
Jolene brought him a beer and Jewel managed to turn away. What was he doing here? Did Colton know?
The next time she was able to glance his way, she got her answer. Colton had joined him. Heads bent, the two men talked earnestly.
A customer called her name and she spent the next several minutes filling orders and carrying drinks. When she looked up again, Colton sat alone.
By the time last call was announced, her feet were swollen, too. Her entire body ached.
“So what’d you think?” Sarah asked, handing her a container of salt so she could began refilling the shakers.
