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They were both hot and sweaty, but seemingly in a better mood than they had been earlier. I didn’t really have a lot of time to chat, because half the football team showed up along with more kids from the school, including Maria and Sharon, both of whom wedged in at the table with Jake and Ian when I returned with their food.
“There you are,” Maria said. “Can we get a big and thick each, strawberry for me and vanilla for Sharon?”
“Yep,” I said as I put the burgers and fries in front of Jake. He tried to catch my eye, but all I asked was, “Do you guys need anything else?”
“Thanks, and sorry about the girls. We didn’t invite them,” Ian told me firmly, and Sharon shifted on the seat next to him.
“Damn, Bubba, that’s cold.”
“He’s not wrong,” Jake said flatly. “We didn’t ask you to sit down, but you’re here now.”
“And all the other tables are full,” Maria said, nudging Jake with her arm. “Don’t be a dick.”
“I’ll get your shakes. It’ll be a couple for the burgers.”
“You’re busy,” Sharon said with a quick smile. “It’s fine.”
I was busy, and Rachel Manning sailed in the doors with a couple of her friends. My life was about to be complete. The tables were full, so Rachel headed for the counter. I glanced over my shoulder and told her it would be a minute as I slid the check in to get the burgers ready for Maria and Sharon, then picked up more food to run out.
I still had shakes to make. I paused to greet them and get their orders and Rachel eyed me. “So, you and the French guy?”
“Not on the menu,” I answered. “Shakes and burgers, pretty much what we serve every day.”
“Really?” She leaned forward, elbows on the counter. “Are you really that oblivious? That guy is crazy about you.”
She was a customer. I had to keep it upbeat. “He’s a nice guy. What would you like?”
“You make me so sad, Frankie. Big and Thick, chocolate shake.” Her girls ordered the same things and I smiled.
“It’ll be a few minutes, but I’ll get your shakes out soon.”
Then I was digging out the ice cream and getting the shakes started. Sharon and Maria had gotten Ian and Jake to talk to them. Jake was even laughing when I brought the shakes over to deliver them.
He sobered up like he’d been doing something wrong when I swung by. “Burgers should be up in a couple. You guys need anything else?”
“No, we’re fine…wish you were getting a break,” Ian said, eyeing the door. We had customers waiting.
“It happens,” I said. “Sometimes it’s just better to be busy.” I left their tallied check for them and got moving.
Except for bringing the girls their food, I really didn’t get back over there before they finally gave up the table and headed out. Jake lurked by the register, but my boss was out giving us a hand so I wouldn’t get anywhere near it.
The next time I got a chance to look, he was gone.
Instead of nine, it was a quarter to ten when I finally had time to finish rolling my silver and getting out of there. It had been a good night. I’d made decent tips, at least from those who didn’t stiff me.
When I came out of Mason’s, Jake leaned against his SUV, which was parked next to my car even though I hadn’t texted him yet.
“Hey,” he said at my approach. “You look tired.”
“I am tired,” I admitted. “I was going to text when I got in the car.”
“Yeah, I kind of wondered if you hadn’t because of Maria.”
I lifted my shoulders. “You and Maria aren’t dating anymore, right?” Not that I really had a leg to stand on. I was dating other guys, even if Jake and I hadn’t made it on a date yet.
“Right,” he said. “We didn’t expect them to just sit down and thennotleave.”
“Well, it took a while to get them their food,” I said almost as an apology.
