AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You don’t know what she needs.” Cal’s voice cracked again, and the high octave would make a teenage girl jealous. “She needs to stay with me.” He sucked in a ragged breath. “She needs to be with her family, not you.”
Cal’s inner turmoil was heartbreaking. Finn knew exactly how it felt to walk on eggshells your whole life, wondering when the bottom would drop out from under you—or be pulled. But that was no excuse to act like a jerk. Especially to those who loved you.
“Maybe this isn’t the right job for me.” Cal shoved his hands in his pockets and kicked at the carpet with his foot. “I obviously don’t fit in here.”
“Hold on. You fit just fine.” Finn came closer but kept a safe distance. He didn’t want to scare him away. “Do you think Scott would have asked for your help today if you didn’t fit in?”
The kid shrugged.
“We’re a team, and the team is only as good as its weakest member. Don’t be that member. I know you’re pissed about Veronica and me being together, but you know me, kid. Do you think I would ever in a million years do anything to hurt her?” He reached out through the space between them and rested his hand on Cal’s shoulder. “Or you, for that matter?”
He didn’t respond, but Cal knew the truth.
“You don’t have a say in what we do, but I will try my best not to rub it in your face. Deal?”
Cal reluctantly nodded. “Can I go back to work?”
Finn was happy Cal had taken such an interest in his job. The fact that he wanted to get back to the kitchen meant he enjoyed what he was doing, what he was learning. But he needed some time to think about things. And he wouldn’t be a benefit to anyone if he wasn’t 100 percent focused on his duties.
“No. Go home. Come back tomorrow. I think the pots and pans have had enough manhandling for the day.”
Cal straightened and took three steps toward him. “Finn, I’m—”
“I know, buddy.” He held out his hand and gestured to the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Finn hated having to turn him away, but he needed to straddle the line between friendship and employment. Cal’s job at Carmel was the real world, and his actions needed to be treated as such. But that didn’t mean Finn would ever forget the look of devastation on the kid’s face when he realized he wasn’t going back to the kitchen.
…
Despite being one man short, the evening dinner service went off without a hitch. When the last customer had been served and the last staff member had left for the evening, Finn sat in his favorite booth with a glass of his favorite whiskey and reviewed the evening’s receipts.
This was his favorite time of the night. The quiet after the storm. There was no better validation than the final tally for the evening. But for Finn, it wasn’t about the money. It was all about the meaning behind the number. The more money people spent, the more they enjoyed themselves at his restaurant. The atmosphere, the food and drink, the service. And that’s what this business was all about. Offering a place where women could enjoy an evening out with the girls. Providing a romantic atmosphere where a man could take a woman on a first date. Welcoming families as his own. Offering a place to celebrate those special occasions. And he satisfied all those needs with a welcoming ambiance and amazing food.
His head snapped up when a shadowy figure at the front window caught his attention. The person peered inside, placing a hand on the glass to reduce the glare.
Was that…Veronica?
He jumped out of the booth with an excitement only she could elicit, and raced to the front door. It wasn’t their usual night to spend together, but he would take any time he could get. He pulled out his keys and unlocked it, swinging open the door. The unusually warm autumn air washed over him.
“Finn.” Her whispered voice sent a shiver down his spine. “Where’s my brother?”
/> Wait. What?
Not the question he had expected her to ask.
How about another round of hot sex? Why don’t you find another kitchen utensil to use on my ass? Those were the questions he’d wanted to hear. Not to talk about her damn brother.
“Your brother went home hours ago. I sent him home early, actually.”
Panic washed over her face. “You sent him home? But he didn’t come home. I was supposed to pick him up after his shift and I’ve been waiting in the car for twenty minutes. He’s not returning my texts or picking up his phone. I saw your car was still here, so I thought you were just busy.”
She’d seen his car but didn’t come inside? She had known she was always welcome. Which begged the question, again, why was she distancing herself?
“He must have forgotten to call and let you know he didn’t need a ride.”
“What if he didn’t forget? What if he—” She peered up into Finn’s eyes and his breath caught. He’d never seen her so worried, so scared.
He pulled her close, her body shaking in his arms. “I’m sure he’s fine. Come on, have a seat with me.”
