AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I should be embarrassed at my reaction, but I can’t help but be excited. I’ve seen dolphins before, mostly in aquariums or on television. I’ve never seen one in the wild. As we watch, a baby dolphin leaps out of the water, splashing a laughing fisherman on his boat.
We watch until they leave, and Beth returns with our beverages before taking our order. Before walking away, she assures me that the chef is aware of my allergy. Again, I’m surprised by the accommodation.
When we finally get our food, Hector points a fry at me. “So what happened with Alexis?”
I sigh. I’d hoped he would drop the subject, because thinking about it is painful for me at this point. “There isn’t much else to say. I found her to apologize, but she clearly didn’t want to speak to me.”
Hector laughs. “Could be that you ruined her morning, but it’s just as likely that she’s that type. I heard some of the girls talking, and one said that she’s kind of a strict Head Server.”
I take a bite of the burger, and the flavor explodes in my mouth. Hector was right in his recommendation. How can a plain cheeseburger be this delightful?
I also think about his Alexis comment. Is it possible that she isn’t really mad at me anymore?
I should drop it. I finished inspecting the restaurant before ruining her morning, and I should really move on to other aspects of the resort. My presidential suite is definitely up to snuff, but there’s so much more I should check. Based on my early findings, the resort needs a top-to-bottom evaluation before I can make any decisions as the owner.
Still, I can’t help but consider the idea of acting like a spy. I could see how the lowest employees are treated, get an inside view, dig deep. At least, I tell myself that’s why. It couldn’t possibly be to make sure Alexis doesn’t hate me.
I’ll speak with the manager of Chéri again in the morning, ensuring that my position remains secret. That way, I can keep an eye on things and learn everything I need to know about the resort I inherited.
It has nothing to do with one server, I tell myself.
Chapter Four
Alexis
I honestly barely noticed that the dish guy was talking to me until he was already walking away. My brain was on autopilot, as the end of my shift is always when I’m running low on the ability to function as a person. I took a moment to watch him leave before shaking my head and getting back to work.
Now, I’m walking home in the pouring rain. Losing my umbrella the other day was really not the best move, but I tell myself I can buy a new one with my tips. I count them in my head, adding up the bills I’ll need to pay before getting anything frivolous. If I make another four hundred by the end of the week, I can probably afford all my utilities and a new umbrella.
At least the appetizer plates won’t come out of my meager paycheck. The last restaurant where I worked would have done that, and they would have been malicious about it. Even though I hate working at Chéri instead of following my dreams, I’m glad they don’t treat us horribly. With my slum of a studio apartment, the decent tippers, and the health benefits, I can sort of afford to survive here.
As I walk, I pass a small restaurant on the water. I have to do a double-take when I spot both the new dish guys walking out, and I duck my head and walk faster to avoid them. I hate small-talk, and I just want to get home, dry off, and lie down.
“Alexis!” one of them calls. I flinch before turning, putting on my bestI don’t hate everything about todaysmile.
I meet them halfway, drenched and desperate to get home. I can’t help but be jealous that they both have umbrellas, but I don’t say anything, and I straighten up to seem like I meant to be walking in the torrential downpour, and it’s not an inconvenience.
“Here,” the tall one who broke all my plates says, passing me his umbrella before I can argue.
“Thanks…” I say. I have no idea what his name is. It was a long day, and I can’t recall if we were ever properly introduced. I’m already drenched, but at least this will keep the extra rain from dousing me even more during what’s sure to be a painful conversation.
“James,” he says, giving a timid smile.
“James,” I repeat. Now that I can get a good look at him without the sheen of rage from this morning, I realize that he’s actually quite good-looking. He’s a good head taller than me, his nearly black hair cut short and stylish, and his short beard is trimmed to perfection. His nose is long and straight, and his eyes are a shade of hazel that entrances me. The name suits him, and the other guy who quickly introduces himself as Hector moves to share his umbrella with James.
Nobody just gives me things, but I can’t help but revel in the moment as rain patters on the umbrella instead of me.
We stand there awkwardly for a moment, and just as I’m about to pass the umbrella back, James says, “It was great getting to work with you today.” I don’t point out that we didn’t really work together, or that the time we did spend was pretty awful. He continues, “I mean, not a lot, but still. I’m sure I’ll learn a lot for as long as I’m at the resort.”
He seems to be rambling. Could he be…nervous?
All of my friends back home and in college told me that my resting face seems angry, so I try to put a faint smile on my lips. Neither of these guys reacts to it, though, so maybe I should practice more in the mirror. “Yeah,” I say, uncomfortable with so much attention. There’s something about the way James is looking at me, really looking at me, that makes me uncomfortable. It’s like he’s seeing into my soul, reading my mind and finding out all my secrets. Or maybe it’s just the color of his eyes and the fact that I’m exhausted and delusional. “I was just headed home. Is, uh, this place good?” I gesture at the restaurant.
James hesitates, so Hector cuts in. “It’s great. I used to work here. You should try the surf n’ turf burger if you ever come.”
“I’m allergic to shellfish,” I say.
James lets out a short laugh, and I narrow my eyes at him. Is he making fun of my allergy? Seriously? When I look back to Hector, he’s got a matching expression.
