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I can tell from the look on her face that she’s not looking forward to the task, though. I understand. Those who are turned away will surely be displeased, and some will put up a fuss. Still, sometimes, you just can’t please everyone no matter how hard you try. I’ve learned that after serving food for nearly seven years. As a manager, Cathy should learn it, too.
“You’re doing great, by the way.” I give her a pat on the shoulder to encourage her.
I know she’s tired. There are more than a few strands of hair out of place, and I’ve seen her sigh a few times. But all day long, she’s put a smile on her face and kept on going.
She puts on another smile for me now, and I, too, feel encouraged.
“Thanks. I admit I was a bit overwhelmed at the beginning, but I think I’ve got the hang of it now.”
I nod. “Sure looks like you do.”
Cathy shrugs. “It’s all thanks to Ken’s training.”
I shake my head. “Partly, but not all, I think.”
Yes, Ken’s training might have prepared her for the pressure and taught her the basics, but she’s the one pulling herself together, trying to keep her head above water. And she’s handled everything well so far.
“You were already amazing to begin with. That’s why Ken took you under her wing.”
Cathy lifts an eyebrow. “You think?”
I smile. “I know it.”
Just then, I hear a throat clearing. I turn my head and see Simon behind me.
“Hey.” I shake his hand and pull him closer to give him a pat on the shoulder. “I’m glad you could make it.”
“I almost didn’t,” he says. “Do you know that I had to park my car three blocks away and walk all the way here? I nearly turned around halfway.”
“I know. We’re working on it.”
“Then again, it’s no surprise there’s no parking given how long the line is outside.” Simon lets out a breath. “I sure am glad I don’t have to wait in it.”
“Yeah, I’ll have a table prepared for you,” I tell him. “It’s the least I can do for someone who helped me put up the restaurant.”
He snorts. “I only did some stuff for your computers.”
I pat his arm. “Come now. Don’t be modest. It’s not like you.”
He chuckles, then turns serious as he glances at Cathy.
“I’m sorry. I’m not interrupting something, am I?”
“Not at all,” I answer. “Though it’s my pleasure to introduce you to the manager of this restaurant and my…”
I pause. Cathy is my girlfriend for real, right? Even though I haven’t formally asked her to be, and she hasn’t actually told me she loves me.
“Fiancee,” I finish.
That’s what people think of her, anyway.
“Fiancee?” Simon’s eyebrows go up. “No wonder she’s got that big ring on her finger and that gleam in her eye.”
He nudges my arm with his elbow as he studies Cathy with his gaze. “You’re a lucky man, Jackson.”
I’d probably punch any other man ogling Cathy like that, but I decide to give Simon a pass.
“Yes, I am,” I agree.
“I’m Cathy.” Cathy offers Simon her hand. “Cathy Jeffries.”
He shakes it. “Cathy?”
“And this is Simon Hessler.” I place my hand on his shoulder. “He used to be my roommate in college, and he was the one who designed that brilliant program we’re using to track orders.”
“Really?” Cathy looks impressed.
Simon, on the other hand, looks worried.
“Cathy?” he asks again. “Surely not the same Cathy who was friends with Jackson’s sister?”
I throw him a puzzled look. Has he met Cathy before?
“Yes,” Cathy answers, her own eyebrows creased. “How…?”
“Oh, Trisha used to talk about you a lot,” Simon says.
Cathy’s eyes grow wide. “You knew Trisha?”
“Yeah. Not much, though. I just met her a few times when she came to visit her big brother.”
He pats my shoulder.
Right. I introduced Trisha to him when she came to visit me on campus. I didn’t know they talked that much, though. Then again, I remember Trisha sneaking into my dorm once. I opened the door to my room and there she was, sitting on my bed and chatting with Simon. She could have talked about Cathy then, and I know for a fact that once she started talking about Cathy, she couldn’t stop.
“So it is you, then?” Simon asks Cathy as he rubs his cleft chin.
Cathy spreads her arms. “In the flesh.”
Simon nods. “Fascinating.”
I notice him staring at Cathy again. This time, I clear my throat. Once is okay. Twice? Not so much.
“Cathy, why don’t you have a table prepared for our friend here?” I say.
She smiles. “Sure.”
I watch her as she walks off. Simon’s gaze seems to follow her as well.
“Something wrong?” I ask him.
“No,” he answers, but not convincingly. “She’s just… not what I expected, is all.”
My gaze narrows. “What do you mean?”
He turns to me. “I mean I always thought you’d marry someone… well, not someone who works for you.”
