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“You know what I like?” Maggie asks as we watch Rachel smile and talk with the family she just seated. “That she’s grateful. I mean, she has to know that her dad is wealthy. But she’s not a spoiled brat.”
“She’s not,” I agree. “But I will say that she also doesn’t really look at price tags or worry about how much things cost. She just picks stuff out. So, while it’s true that she’s grateful and excited, it’s also clear that she’s never had to worry about a budget.”
“That makes sense, though,” Maggie reminds me.
“It’s none of my business, but I wonder if she’ll ever have to worry about a budget.”
“She might not,” Maggie says. “She’s not afraid of hard work. She’s shown us that much since Keegan hired her. But she may be lucky enough to work because she likes to, not because she has to. And there’s nothing wrong with that.”
I nod in agreement and then pick up my tray and make my rounds, checking in on my tables. I take a few drink refill orders and then wave at Shawn and Lexi when they walk in, ready to get started on prepping for the dinner crowd.
Since Ma and Da have been here, Ma’s covered lunch. Then Shawn and Lexi take over for dinner.
I love having my parents here. When Ma’s in the kitchen and Da’s behind the bar, it feels like old times.
But I know they miss Ireland and will likely return there in the next couple of weeks.
Hunter pushes through the front door and blinks as his eyes adjust, then grins at me. He points to the bar and takes a seat, already chatting with Keegan.
He’s started coming in every day that Rachel and I are on shift to say hello and grab a bite to eat.
We’ve settled into a nice little routine.
“Well, hey there, handsome.” I kiss his cheek and set my tray on the bar as I turn to Keegan. “I need three Cokes, one diet, and a pitcher of water.”
“How’s your day so far?” Hunter asks.
“Great. It’s been steady but not crazy, and everyone is happy and tipping well. We can’t complain.”
“Do you have a minute?” he asks.
“Sure.” I flag down Maggie. “I’ll be right back.”
“No problem, I’ve got this.” She winks at Hunter. “Hey there.”
“Hey, back to you,” he replies and walks behind me as I lead him to the storeroom.
“What’s up?”
“First, this is in order.” He frames my face and kisses me, long and deep. “It’s been a while since I was alone with you when we weren’t both exhausted.”
“We had a busy weekend,” I agree with a laugh and brush my fingers through his hair. “How are you?”
“I’m great.” He kisses my nose. “I got a call from my agent today. ESPN wants me to come be a guest commentator at a fight that’s happening in Vegas in a few days.”
“Wow, that’s cool. Did you accept?”
“Well, I wanted to check with you first.”
“You don’t need my permission to work.”
His lips twitch. “I know that. But I didn’t want to leave Rachel. At least not until I talked to you about it. I can ask my parents to come over and stay with her if you’d rather. I know she’ll have work, and she enjoys it here on the island. I don’t want to shuttle her back and forth to the city if I don’t have to. But I can if you’d rather.”
“You should absolutely go. Rachel and I will be fine,” I assure him. “Honest. If your parents want to come, they’re welcome, but I don’t think they need to. How long will you be gone?”
“Just one night. I’ll leave here that morning and be back the following afternoon.”
“Oh, we’ll be fine,” I repeat.
He leans in and kisses my forehead. “Thanks.”
“We’ll have ice cream and talk about boys while you’re gone. You know, like girls do.”
“There’d better not be any boys to talk about,” he says.
I just laugh and pat him on the shoulder. “You’re painfully unprepared for your daughter to have a boyfriend.”
“Has someone been sniffing around her?”
“Not that I’m aware of. I’m just saying, in general. It’s going to happen, Hunter. She’s adorable and sweet. Some nice kid is going to be smitten.”
“I’ll smash his face in.”
I cup his cheek. “No, you won’t.”
“How did we go from Vegas to my daughter having a boyfriend?”
I laugh and lead him back out to the bar. “I have to get back to work. What are you up to this afternoon?”
“I’m going to meet with some contractors. I’m having a gym built. I need more private space than I have in the house.”
“You have plenty of property for it,” I agree, knowing that he bought the land next to his. “That’ll be great.”
“What I have in mind will be better than great.” He winks at me and sits back on what I’ve come to think of as his stool, and I see that one of our regulars, Freddie, is sitting next to him.
