“I’m positive,” I say, trying to make my smile more convincing. “What can I start you off with today?”
Burt shifts his attention to Sheila. “Your usual, baby doll?”
She nods. “Yes, please.”
“Same for me,” Burt says, not sparing me another glance.
I can’t help but grin at their interaction. “I’ll get that in for you.”
I turn on my heel and head into the kitchen. Luca’s leaning against the counter, scrolling on his phone. “Burt and Sheila’s usual,” I call out.
He startles, his chest rising sharply before he relaxes again, and a smile takes over his face. “Predictable.”
I shrug. “I guess when you find something you like.”
Luca nods. “You’re right.”
When he turns to prepare their food, I get their drinks together.
I’ve just dropped their drinks off at their table when the door opens and Jasper walks in.
It doesn’t matter how many times he comes in here. It doesn’t even matter that my body is still sore from the way he fucked me last night; every single time he walks through the doors, my heart jumps a little.
I feel a bit like a teenager with a crush. Only now I’m a grown man with a crush. I’m actually a grown man, head over heels in love, but I’ve gotten really good at ignoring that, and I’m going to continue to do so.
“Have a seat, and I’ll grab Theo for you,” I say, gesturing.
He nearly stops in his tracks. “Theo? You can’t take care of me today?”
I shrug, apologetic. “It’s his table. You shoulda been quicker.” Shooting him a wink, I go into the kitchen to grab Theo. “Table for you.”
He nods, jumping off the stool where he was talking to Luca, and I follow him into the dining room. Narrowing his eyes at me, he scoffs. “Funny. Why are you trying to give me Jasper?”
That makes me laugh. “It’s only fair. I got the last table.”
“And I got the whole breakfast rush by myself. Take the table. Best believe if Hunter comes in here, I’m not giving a shit about fair. I’m gonna wait on my man.”
Well, that’s a fair point, only Jasperisn’tmy man… And why does Theo think he is?
At any rate, I’m not gonna turn down the table. Not that it matters, really. Jasper and I made a deal months ago that he would never tip me. Something about being tipped and then showing up at his house in the middle of the night to get my guts rearranged just never sat right with me.
Jasper’s sitting in his normal booth, looking out the window. Approaching the table, I let out a put-upon sigh. “I guess you’re stuck with me after all.”
Jasper’s head whips around, a big smile spreading across his face. “What a shame.”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, you look like you’re real torn up about it. What can I get you to drink, sir?”
Heat flashes in his eyes. “Careful, baby boy. You don’t wanna give me any ideas.”
He’s lowered his voice enough that no one around us can hear, but I still take a look around to make sure.
When I look back at him, some of the brightness in his eyes has dulled. “Can I just get a sweet tea and the fried catfish, please?”
“Sure thing.”
I turn away from the table, calling out Jasper’s order when I get back in the kitchen.
Luca nods, then hands me Burt and Sheila’s food, and when I’ve dropped it off to them and brought Jasper his tea, I go back into the kitchen to wait on his food.
