“Yeah, I’m good. So long as she doesn’t keep on about me getting married and popping out kids.”
“Hey, look, I’m sorry about yesterday, man,” Jordan said. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I was just giving you shit.”
“I know.”
“I really wouldn’t care if you stayed single the rest of your life. As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters,” he said.
“Thanks, bro,” I said. “I appreciate that.”
He slapped my shoulder in the way brothers did when they needed to break a moment where emotions might have come into play. Then he sighed and turned toward the kitchen door.
“Well, we need to get service started, and I need to find Hannah before that. If you need anything, I’ll be behind the bar,” he said.
I snapped off a salute, and he walked away. I went back to my spices and eventually just gave up. When the line cook came in, I presented him with the same menu as before. If it wasn’t broke, I guess I wasn’t going to be fixing it.
The bar opened up, and people started streaming in. Chloe was seated in a corner, in what I called the observatory seat. One could relax, have a beer and watch the bar, but also kind of blend into the wallpaper.
I couldn’t imagine her blending into anything, though. From the moment I saw her, I was struck by how beautiful she was. The family resemblance to Hannah was slight, so much so that I had to really strain to see it. But she was absolutely stunning to look at. She was also putting away everything I sent out to her table like she hadn’t eaten in a week.
When I finished up the second batch of onion rings, I decided I needed to know a bit more about her. Turning to the line cook, who was busy fiddling with his phone, I cleared my throat to get his attention. When that failed, I did it again, louder, and sounding a bit like I was gargling rocks.
“Yeah?” he asked, putting the phone away.
“You’re in charge for a bit,” I said. “I’ll be back in a little while. Just try not to Snapchat everything, okay?”
Grabbing the onion rings, I headed out, hearing the snickering of the young cook as I did. I knew I probably said something dumb, but I didn’t care. I had better things to think about. Like getting a good look at Chloe.
“Your onion rings,” I said as I sat them down on the table.
“Oh, thank you,” she said, her voice sing-songy and cute. “I don’t think I met you yet. I’m Chloe.”
She held out her hand, and I shook it gently.
“Matt. Jordan’s brother.”
“Oh, hi. Nice to meet you.” She paused like she was contemplating something and then seemed to make a decision. “Do you want to sit with me for a little bit? I’m kind of bored.”
“Sure. I have a break. As long as you don’t mind if I get some of those rings.”
“Not at all. I know I should stop, but they are just so good,” she said.
“I know,” I said. “I make them. My recipe for the breading.”
“No way. They are delicious.”
“I have to keep my cool, or else I’ll eat my weight in them while I’m working,” I teased. “I’ll be right back.”
Smiling, I headed back to the kitchen, my mind in a whirlwind. She wasn’t just beautiful; she was one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen in my life. Her eyes were bright and cheerful, and her smile had a hint of mischief to it that made her wildly attractive. And that body simply did not quit.
“Hey, I’m going to go on my break. You good?” I called into the kitchen.
“On it,” the cook said, raising his hand but not looking away from his phone. Considering I had done all the mise en place for him, it wasn’t like he had to do a whole lot. Tapping the doorframe, I turned and went back to the bar. Cris was working there with Jordan, and I snuck up to her without him seeing me.
“Hey, I need a soda and a beer,” I said.
“What table?” she asked.
“It’s for Hannah’s cousin, Chloe. I’m going to take a break and hang out with her for a minute.”
“You are, are you?” she asked, raising her eyebrow suggestively.
“Not like that,” I lied. “Welcoming Committee.”
“I bet.” She filled a soda for me and then grabbed one of the bottled beers. “Enjoy, be a good boy.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said, heading back to Chloe.
When I reached her, I realized that maybe the beer wasn’t the best idea. Despite the impressive set of trays she had put down, it looked like she was rather buzzed, and when I sat, she did the lazy, drifting smile I knew all too well.
“Well, hello again,” she said. “Is that for me?”