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Yeah, that last one seems especially worth worrying about.
“Jeez, Jonesy, rough weekend?”Darryl elbows me, and I realize I’ve been staring at Liv in silence.
“Little bit, yeah.”Saturday night was as long as usual, and then Derek, Landon, and I did a private party last night in Rockford.I made it back to Beaucoeur a couple of hours before my shift, so I’m definitely not my sharpest this morning.
“Anyway,” I say after clearing my throat.“I’m the one who brought you Gochujang shrimp tacos last week.”
Her eyes flash.“Yes, I remember.”
And that’s when I realize that I know something about her too.She’s seen the inside of a Canadian jail.And what does it say that I perk right up when I remember that I can drop this into the conversation when she least expects it?She doesn’t know that she knows my secret, but she knows that I know hers.
She must notice the shift in my whole aura because her gaze locks on me and her mouth presses into a flat line.It’s a clear warning not to bring up the tiny bit of dirt that I have on her.
“Like I was telling Darryl, I worked as a hostess all the way through college, and since I’m between jobs”—her gaze flicks over to mine—“this situation is perfect.”
“And where was your last job?”I ask, all innocent smiles now that the shoe’s on the other foot.
Her eyes narrow.“Canada.”The word emerges slowly, as if she’s not sure what I’ll say next.I have no idea why she’s so worried.It’s not like she actually did anything wrong.But it clearly bothers her, and after the accidental scare she just gave me, I can’t help but let her twist just a little.
“Canada, huh?”I drawl, leaning forward so I can prop my chin on my fist.“I hear the Mounties are really good at protecting their borders.”
I grin at her, all easy charm, and she tilts her head down until her hair forms a curtain around her face.I don’t usually pay much attention to women’s hairstyles, but everything about Liv grabs me by the throat and forces me to notice her, which is why I know for a fact that her hair this morning’s as stick-straight as it was when she first came into Verdant, while on Saturday at the club, it fell around her shoulders in a fluffy, curly cloud that I wanted to grip and pull until she gasped my name.
Good thing I resisted the urge.Because that would’ve made this awkward.
Oh shit, I already made it awkward by pushing the joke too far because her head’s still tilted down to hide her expression.I’m opening my mouth for a hasty subject change when she turns her head the slightest bit toward me and I can see that her cheeks are curved as if she’s holding back a laugh.When she finally straightens, her expression is composed but her eyes are bright with amusement.
“Yeah, those Mounties mean business.”She slides me a look that says she’s trusting me to be cool about this.Then she’s back to Darryl.
“More relevant for you,” she says smoothly, like she didn’t just semi-threaten me with a look, “I’ve got almost five years of experience managing waitlists and seating charts and keeping guests happy.Plus, I can roll silverware faster than anybody on your staff, guaranteed.”
“Ooooh,” I singsong.“You think so, do you?”
“Bring it on.”There isn’t a trace of modesty in her voice, and I love it.
“You do understand this isn’t a permanent position,” Darryl says, completely oblivious to the conversational undercurrents happening around him.“Once Brita’s back, she’ll slide into her spot again.”
Liv nods.“I’m in the process of setting up interviews with marketing firms all over the country after the first of the year.I just wanted something to keep me busy while I’m in Beacoeur.”
Darryl slaps his hands on the table, rattling the rustic metal pail in the center that holds napkins and condiments.“You’re hired.You’re a lifesaver, frankly.Tomorrow okay to start?”At her nod, he stands.“Perfect.Jonesy’ll be the one showing you the ropes.”
“I will?”I blurt at the same time Liv says, “He will?”Our gazes clash.Hers is unreadable, and I don’t want to picture what she sees in mine.
Good old thick-as-a-brick Darryl beams at both of us.“He’s our best server.You’ll be in good hands.”
I want to laugh at the thought of being anybody’s best anything, particularly when Liv looks at me expectantly once Darryl’s off to his hidey-hole.
“So,” she says brightly, “you’re going to teach me everything you know.”
“Appears so.”I sling my arm over the back of my chair, slouching to hide the mix of lust and nerves and tiny bit of resentment this girl makes me feel.
“Mmm.”She tips her head to the side.“And after those ten minutes are up, what’ll we do with the rest of the day?”
After a startled beat, I give a roar of laughter that has every guest in the section looking our way.
“Oh, Livvie-Liv,” I say as she gives me the first real grin I’ve seen from her and lust takes the lead.“I think we’re gonna get along just fine.”
Five
