SCOUT
“What took you so long?You’ve got tables waiting for you,” Deanna, my coworker, scolded.
I glanced back at the booth with the rowdy men. My heart sped up when I saw the one on the end with his head turned to look at me. He quickly turned back to his friends. His friend had to order for him apparently.
“Sorry, I’ve got a drunk table.” I ripped the slip off the pad and hooked it to the string for the cooks. “What table first?” I searched for the irritated customers. Deanna pointed to a few, and I hurried over to take their plates and cash them out.
They were immediately replaced with new patrons, and I sighed. Tonight was going to be a busy one. The first half of my shift had been relatively quiet. I made my rounds before heading back to the table of guys. I forced a smile as I looked around the table, making eye contact with each one. I needed to good tip tonight.
The men were all in their mid-twenties and looking all right. The one who called me pretty had long blond hair that hung over his eyes. Then there was one with short brown curls, one with long brown curls, and one with short, clipped dirty blond hair. I’d forget them as soon as they left.
All except the one on the end. He was incredibly good-looking. He almost looked out of place with his friends. While they were all dressed the same, in ripped jeans and faded band tees, he stood out.
“How are you guys doing? Can I get you any refills?” I said as cheerily as I could, picking up the two empty pitchers.
“Just keep the beer coming,” the short blond said. “We’re celebrating tonight.”
“Oh?” I raised my eyebrows as if I didn’t hear this every night at a dozen tables.
“It’s Desiderio’s birthday!” He smacked the man on the end on the back. I took the excuse to look at him.
Desiderio. What an interesting name.
“It is? Happy birthday!”
He blushed and averted his gaze. I caught a hint of a grin as his blue eyes dipped to the table. “Thanks.”
“He gets shy when he sees a pretty woman,” his friend teased, shaking him some. Desiderio elbowed him.
“Do you like pie? I’ve got apple and cherry in the back.”
“I wouldn’t mind eating your cherry,” the man who’d been harassing me said, getting a loud laugh from them. All but Desiderio. He glared at his friend…murderously.
I waved the empty pitchers in my hand. “I’ll get a refill and check on your food. Is there anything else you need right now?”
“Your name.”
The sound was so soft, I almost didn’t hear it.
But I did.
Because it came from the man on the end.
Desiderio.
For the third time tonight, my heart went insane.
“Scout.” Fleeing, I set the pitchers down in front of the beer tap and made another round for my other tables. I tried to distract myself from the thoughts of the handsome man, but I couldn’t stop thinking about him. His voice echoed in my brain, over and over again as I worked.
“Your name.”
I made it to the kitchen just in time as Donald, a line cook, put up that table’s food.
“You forgot their beer, but that’s okay. I brought it to them.” Deanna said from behind me. “I get why you’re all…” She waved at me and grinned. “Flustered.”
“Me?”
“Oh, come on. They’re all so cute. Especially the one on the end.”
