I folded my arms across my chest and fought off a yawn.
“I’ve been wondering that too.” I rolled my shoulders to stretch them out. “I had half a mind to ask people if something was going on, but I was too busy seating everyone and taking orders to get around to it. It was like a madhouse.”
“I saw.” Joe’s lips twitched, and that was as much as a smile as anyone could ever get out of him. “You were like a headless chicken running back and forth, Deena too. Best entertainment I’ve had in a while so thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I snorted. “I’m just glad we made it through it.”
“I know,” he agreed. “The one day we’re overwhelmed with customers and only three of us are working.”
“I’m still pissed about that,” I scowled. “And not for a second do I believe it wasn’t done on purpose by the twins.”
The two other waitresses at Mary Well’s were Anna and Hannah Porter. They were twin sisters and where there was one, there was the other. When they weren’t working, and sometimes when they were working, they had their phones glued to their hands so for the pair of them to have their phones switched off was suspicious. I had known both girls for years, I was a year ahead of them in school. Since phones and social media became a massive thing, I had never known either sister to have a blackout from both.
They disconnected their phones on purpose, I was sure of it.
“The upside is,” Joe winked, “you get to keep the rest of the tips since Deena already got her cut before she left for the day.”
The tip jar had had to be emptied into the collection bag two times after Deena left, and one of those times was because I couldn’t stuff any more notes into the jar. As crazy as the day had been for service, it had been incredible for tips. There was no doubt about that. I never expected tips, but when I got them, it put a smile on my face. Today’s tip load would have me grinning from ear to ear for the next week.
“Me?” I questioned. “You’re here, too.”
“Tips are for the waiting staff, you know that.”
“Yeah,” I began, “but you’ve been cooking up a storm in here all day. You deserve half.”
“You’re a sweetie, Frankie, but those tips are yours. You’ve worked hard today, I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
I felt heat stain my cheeks.
“Thanks, Joe, I appreciate it.”
“And I appreciate you, kid.”
I smiled as he turned and got back to work cleaning his workspace. Joe could hold a steady conversation, but he preferred to be alone in the kitchen with his thoughts for company as he cooked. I never felt brushed off by him. In fact, whenever I managed to get his attention and talk to him, he had a way of making me feel like a well-loved and appreciated little kid. I loved that about him.
I looked from Joe and focused my gaze through the hatch. I was glad to see no new customers had come into the diner. I leaned forward, relaxing when I saw my only table were smiling and chatting away as they ate their meal.
I studied the pair, wondering if they were friends, relatives or a couple on a date. From the way the girl kept stealing glances at the lad, and the way he kept licking his lips when he looked at her, I was edging more towards them being a couple on a date. Maybe even their very first date. Thinking of that made me think of my very first date, and funnily enough, it took place in Mary Well’s diner, too, in that exact booth.
I was a few days away from turning fifteen and I had been asked out by my long-time crush . . . Risk Keller.
“Aren’t we supposed to share a milkshake?” I quizzed, trying to downplay the fact that I was so nervous that my palms were sweating. “All the romance movies I’ve seen will have been for nothing if we don’t drink a large strawberry milkshake with two straws while we stare deeply into each other’s eyes.”
Risk stared at me, unblinking. His bruised right eye making him look rugged, dangerous, and a hell of a lot more handsome than he already was. I didn’t ask how he’d gotten it because I knew it was his foster father’s fault. I didn’t want to bring it up and upset him so I kept my mouth shut.
“For that sentence alone,” he began, “I’m considering walking out of this diner and never contacting you ever again.”
“Considering the way you’ve stalked me lately, I find that hard to believe.”
“I can dodge you easily.”
“How easily?” I leaned forward. “How easy would it be to stay away from me?”