“Nothing,” Paul interjected. “She just got some news recently that still has her all worked up.”
“Oh,” Amy replied. “Should I come back?”
“I’m fine,” Nikki replied instantly. She didn’t want her to leave. “I’ll have some lemon water.”
“I’ll have a Long Island iced tea,” Paul said.
“I’ll be right back.” Amy hurried away.
“Oh God, I think I scared her off,” Nikki said as guilt gripped her.
“Nah.” Paul waved her off. “I’m sure she’s seen worse customers.” He grinned.
Nikki laughed. “Is that your way of making me feel better?”
“Depends if it’s working or not.”
“It’s not,” she groaned. “I feel like I’m about to sit for a bar exam.”
“Whatever that feels like.” Paul shrugged. “Just pull yourself together. Here she comes again.”
Nikki sucked in a deep breath. She had every intention of not being weird, but she couldn’t help but stare as Amy set the glasses down. “You’re so beautiful,” she blurted out.
Amy paused and stepped back a little. “What’s the matter with you?” Paul hissed under his breath. “Forgive her,” he told Amy, who seemed to be maintaining a safe distance. “I think we’re ready to order. We’ll just have the endless wings if you don’t mind.”
“I’ll be right back with your order,” Amy replied, scurrying off.
“Why are you trying to spook her off? You’ll be lucky if she even comes back to this table,” Paul accosted Nikki, though gently.
“I couldn’t help it. It just slipped out,” Nikki replied.
“If she does return, you need to keep a lid on it. You don’t want to give her a bad impression of you only to turn around and tell her you’re her long-lost aunt.”
“You’re right,” Nikki replied, and then her eyes widened. “What if I’ve already ruined my chances?”
“Just try to relax,” Paul implored her. “Let’s just focus on what we came here to do and don’t overthink it.”
Nikki inhaled deeply. “I’ll try.” But it was easier said than done. Her eyes found Amy as she waited tables, and she forcibly kept quiet when she returned with their order. She wasn’t hungry, so the wings tasted like paste in her mouth. She gave up after a while, but her roaming eyes kept searching for Amy.
Paul tried to distract her. “You do know we have to wait until the end of her shift to talk to her, right?”
“I know, but it’s taking so long,” she moaned, just as she noticed something off about Amy. She was waiting on a table at the back, but the guest seemed rude. She could see Amy’s face visibly upset, and as soon as the man reached for her, she flinched and backed away. Other guests had begun to turn their heads to the man’s raised voice, and a feeling of doom descended upon Nikki. She started to move.
Paul placed his hand on hers to keep her seated. “Are you crazy? You don’t even know what’s going on.”
“It’s not good,” Nikki replied without taking her eyes off Amy. “He seems aggressive.”
“It’s not your place,” Paul reminded her.
“She’s my niece!” Nikki said louder than she had anticipated.
“She doesn’t know that,” he reminded her. “Here she comes again. Do nothing!”
Nikki ignored his warning. “Is everything alright?” Nikki asked her as soon as she got to the table.
Amy seemed dazed, and her color had faded. “Yeah, I’m fine,” she said, immediately plastering a smile onto her face.
“I noticed that,” Nikki said and thumbed toward the man.
