“No, you’re going to serve them. But I will need help plating.”
“What’s Tony doing while I’m playing busboy?”
“He’s taking care of the rest of the clientele.”
Parker’s hands carved through his hair and he held it back for a moment before releasing it. “Okay, I think I can handle this.”
“First, go wash your hands.” I didn’t need hair gel in my prepared food.
When the group arrived, Parker’s face paled. I had to reassure him numerous times that he would be fine. We both went out there togethe
r and I introduced myself to the group.
“All right, I’m going to work around the table and you let me know what you want to drink,” I said to the kids.
“I could use a whiskey,” Parker said more to himself.
I bumped him in the arm. “Take a breath. You’ll be fine.”
Parker had a rough start. After spilling two sodas on the way to the table, the kids booed him. I couldn’t help but laugh at his misfortune. I knew he wanted to give up, so I offered to clean the spill while he tried again. It wasn’t until two of the little girls started giving him goo-goo eyes and said he looked like Chris Hemsworth that he began to feel comfortable. Parker had a way with females of all ages, it seemed, and nothing could bring up his ego like a compliment on his looks.
His confidence grew, and by the time we were serving ice cream sundaes to the kids, Parker was a pro. He even handled four sundae cups at the same time without spilling so much as a drop.
When the kids left, Parker actually looked a little bummed.
While Tony took his break, I showed Parker how to form hamburger patties. Since he wasn’t mixing ingredients, I didn’t worry too much about his lack of skills in the kitchen. It was pretty hard to mess up a patty.
Watching Parker have a good time while helping me out made me really want to delve deeper into this whole Rachel thing. What was their deal lately, anyhow? I felt awful that we couldn’t talk about everything like we used to. Since there was a defined future for them, I didn’t want to say anything that would cause a rift, but I really wanted him to open up to me.
When Parker was serving a customer, I pulled Tony aside. “Ask Parker about him and Rachel.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Why don’t you ask him?”
“Because I can’t,” I said. “Please do this for me. I’ll talk to you about it later.”
“If you let me off early tonight, I’ll ask.”
“Seriously? You’re bartering with me?”
He shrugged. “I have a date tonight.”
Parker was already on his way back from the table. He’d be in the kitchen any second.
“Fine, fine,” I said to Tony.
Parker came into the kitchen. “All right, what’s next?”
“Take a load off; you have a few minutes,” Tony said and handed him an empty cup.
Parker thanked him and poured himself a glass of water. “This is a hell of a workout. No wonder you stay so thin, Sienna.”
“Speaking of thin girls,” Tony said, “how are you and Rachel doing?”
I glared at Tony. That was an odd segue, but I suspected with his little interest in Parker’s personal life, he didn’t care how he got his part of the deal handled.
Parker sat down at one of the stools we had stashed in the corner. “We’re fine. Why?”
“Just being friendly,” Tony said. “All right, boss. I’m off for the day. See you tomorrow.”