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“I haven’t had a chance to clean everything out since it happened. Sorry about that.”
“Nothing to be sorry for, right?” I ask, my hands tightening into fists. “It’s not like you had anything to do with what happened.”
A woman walks into the station to join us before he can answer. She shakes her brunette hair free from its tie, combs her fingers through, and ties it back. I recognize her from Paige’s photos, and the marina this morning. It’s Mia.
“Where’s Giana? I double-sat her. She was the only one with open tables,” Mia says, glancing between Evan and I.
“Mia, this is Ivy,” Evan says. “She just started today. She’s shadowing Giana, who is…?”
I jab my thumb toward the back door.
“Out back, apparently. Let me grab her.” Evan turns to leave, and Mia steps quickly out of his way.
“Hey, new girl. I heard we hired a replacement for Paige already. Not wasting any time, is he?”
“Nope,” I say, shaking my head. “Out with the old, I guess.”
Mia nods. “I guess so.” She shrugs. “Anyway, I’m Mia. If you need any help, grab me. I’m working the upper bar today, but I’ll be in and out as my apps come up.”
“Thanks,” I say, studying her as she shuffles plates in the window.
“Katrina,” she shouts at the line. “Where’s my Scampi Dip for 212?”
“I’m waiting on bread,” Katrina yells back, casting a glance down the line. “Ryan?”
“You hear that beep? That’s the oven. You can grab it or dump these fry baskets in about fifteen seconds. Your choice,” Ryan replies.
Katrina rolls her eyes, and places her sauté pan on a back burner with low heat. She strides down the line and disappears into the back prep area.
“We’re down a cook right now,” Mia explains, turning around to lean back against the stainless steel expo table. “The kitchen doesn’t usually get weeded so fast. Plus, Natalie came and snagged my dip for one of her tables, so this one is on the fly. Otherwise, I wouldn’t hassle them.”
“Did someone quit?” I ask, watching the cooks work through the window.
Mia shakes her head. “No, he’ll be back. I think. Chrisusually works fry. Zaden spoke with him yesterday, and he said he’s taking some time to digest. Then he’ll be back.”
I narrow my eyes. “Digest?”
Her eyes meet mine. “After Rose,” she says, swallowing hard and looking away. “To make arrangements and everything.”
“He knew her?” I ask, and a flash of pain crosses her face. She nods.
“They were engaged.”
Fuck.
“She was on her way here to see him that night. She usually gets off work earlier than he does, then rides over here to wait for him.”
I grit my teeth and look down at the floor. “Jesus.”
She nods. “Chris will be back. But he’s a little fucked up right now. The guys are covering for him until then.” Her eyes follow Katrina as she rounds the corner with a fresh Lexan of croutons for the dip. “This may be a madhouse, but you’ll come to find that the madness keeps us close. We’re all family here.” Her gaze slides to the bar as Natalie walks up to Nick, laughing as she says something flirty to him under her breath, and grabs her two margaritas. Nick doesn’t play into it, though. “Well, almost all of us are family. Others have their head so far up Evan’s ass-”
“Ugh. Please, don’t say anything more about Evan’s ass,” Katrina says, shaking the ick off as she slides Mia’s appetizer toward her.
“Thank you, love,” Mia says sweetly. “Now, don’t let Natalie take any more of my shit.”
“What do I look like? Expo police? 219 Will be up inthirteen minutes.” She throws her hands up dramatically, and turns back toward her station. “May the odds be ever in your favor.”
Mia sighs.
