The truth was the arrangement was going really well. I worked for Max eight to five on Monday through Thursday and then six to ten at the diner, and I worked all day Friday and Saturday. The extra money was amazing. I was a total go-getter, like Laura had called me. I loved watching Sadie, and I was keeping up with everything at the diner just fine. I was completely exhausted, but it would be worth it when I had the down payment and owned the diner outright.
Maybe my exhaustion was why I’d started tearing up in Max’s kitchen. I was overworked and exhausted and my silly crush had backed up on me when I was still half asleep from an unplanned nap. It was nothing more than that. By the time I drove back to my apartment, I’d convinced myself I made a big deal over nothing. I didn’t have real feelings for the man. He was just attractive and emotionally unavailable, which was woman catnip, like I’d told him before. It was only human to get a little crush on him. I’d be over it in no time.
I went home, had a long bath and went to bed early. The next day, I was full of energy and baked two extra pies at the diner. When the dinner shift rolled around, I was surprised to see Max and Sadie in their booth since it wasn’t a Tuesday. I went back and got the crayons for her and said hi.
“We’re busy right now. I may have to have Taylor wait on you. Is that okay?” I asked Sadie. She barreled out of the booth and threw her arms around my waist.
“I missed you!”
“You were sacked out yesterday when I left. Did you have fun making pizzas with your dad?”
“We did a frozen pizza,” she said. “He said he was tired. Then he let me watch TV.”
Avoiding Max’s eyes, I nodded. “I’ll come back over if I can,” I said, and headed back to work. I checked out some carryout orders and sliced up a lemon pie. I delivered an order to a large group and refilled some iced tea. It was busy even for a Friday night. By the time I got back to them, they’d already ordered.
“Taylor didn’t know I need ranch,” Sadie confided. “So I had to tell her.”
“That’s what we do when people need to know things,” I said. “I’m glad you spoke up.”
“What she said was, ‘I have to have ranch, or I won’t eat the carrots plus I really just want Rachel can you get her?’” Max put in. Sadie glowered at him.
“I know she has to help other people too. I just want her to help me first.”
“Makes sense to me, Sadie Lady,” I said, kissing the top of her head. “What brings you guys in on a Friday?”
“I wanted to see if you were okay. I could’ve texted you but that seemed like overstepping.”
“So you came to my job?” I asked.
“Yes. There wasn’t a really good way to stay within bounds and still check on you. You were really tired last night.”
“I was. Sometimes I get emotional when I’m tired or hangry. It happens. But I’m fine.”
“I wished you’d texted when you got home.”
“Okay, dad,” I laughed. “I’ve been driving a long time. Don’t worry.”
“He worries a lot,” Sadie informed me.
“Well, he has a sweet little kiddo to keep safe. Of course, he worries,” I said.
“I watched Fancy Nancy and Puppy Dog Pals. Two of them.”
“Were they good ones?”
“I saw the Nancy one already, but the puppies were new ones,” she said.
“I better get back to work. You two have a fun night.”
“Can I just?” he said, standing up. I nodded, looking around at the crowd.
We stepped over just a little, and he leaned in to whisper, “I’m really sorry for how I acted. I nearly called you last night.”
“Don’t,” I said, careful not to look anything but normal because we were surrounded by people and his kid was watching us.
“I won’t overstep again.”
“Really? Cause it seems like you’re here,” I said, more annoyed than I meant to, “and you’re making it weird.”
“No, trust me, it’s weird on its own,” he said ruefully with a half-smile that disarmed me.
“I’m going to be really professional and just get back to work. I won’t make this a drama if you don’t.”
“Is that what I’m doing?” he asked.
“That is what you’re doing.”
“I’m out of practice. The only woman I’ve talked to with any regularity in the last five years is Denise and it’s, let’s say, a different dynamic. She’s grandmotherly.”
“I’ve got to get back to work. Quit stalking me and I’ll call you after work.” I laughed.
“Do that,” he said, leveling me with a look.
I sailed through the rest of my shift and closed like I was floating. Laura came in with Brody and Brenna and I got to snuggle her and give her crackers and juice. I raved about my new job and how well it was going, and Laura kept asking if I’d closed the deal with Max.