Soliciting his customers was a hard stop.
“Tara, he can’t be doing that here,” Teddy said.
“He’s just talking to them.”
Teddy shook his head. “No,” was all he said before he made his way through the restaurant, his eyes trained on his target.
As he approached the booth, the women jumped their gazes from Hollywood to him.
“You did come back!” squealed one of the women.
“We gotta get a pic with him,” said another.
The server returned with a round of drinks, and Teddy said to Hollywood, “Let’s go talk.”
“Sure, dude, no problem.”
Back at the bar, the guy slid onto his stool.
“Tara said you’re a recruiter,” Teddy began.
Hollywood pasted on a grin. “Yup, sure am. You’re a good-looking guy. You got a harem following you around?”
Ignoring the small talk, Teddy said, “Don’t solicit my customers.”
“Whaaaaa?” Hollywood whined. “Talking to people is what I do, my true calling. My company helps people make the big bucks. You wanna know how?”
“No.”
“I’ll tell ya,” Hollywood continued. “By serving others. My independent contractors can WFH—work from home. By setting their own hours, they control their income. I also?—”
“Leave. My. Customers. Alone,” Teddy said, cutting him off. “Inteso?”
“Huh?”
“It’s Italian,” Teddy said. “It means, ‘Got it?’”
“Sure, my man. No problem.”
“Enjoy your dinner.” Teddy eyed the front of house, but Tara had the situation well under control, so he took off toward his office. He did payroll, then checked next week’s schedule. When finished, he made his way toward the bar and ordered himself dinner.
Hollywood was gone, the women at the owner’s table were enjoying their entrees. One of them caught his gaze and forcedthe others out of the horseshoe-shaped booth. With her attention cemented on his, she beelined over.
“Hi,” she said, her cheeks flushing bright red.
“How’s the party?” he asked.
“It’s fun. I’d love to see you. Maybe coffee or a drink sometime?”
Sydney flashed in his mind. Two kisses, and she’d already started to take hold. Truth was, she’d worked her magic on him months ago.
“Helloooooo,” said the woman. “Drinks sometime?”
“Sorry, I can’t.”
“Lemme give you my number, in case you change your mind.”
“Yeah, so, now’s kinda crazy for me.”
