“No offense, sweetheart. We will open it ourselves.”
I shrug. “Suit yourself. Are you guys ready to order?”
I actively avoid Bastiano’s eyes.
He must not like that because he says my name.
“Sofia.”
“Yeah?”
I say without turning to him.
He reaches out and touches my hand which sends a shock through it. I gasp and look up.
“Why don’t you go and tend to your other tables and come back and check on us in a bit?”
He squeezes my hand once as he gives me a tender look.
“Okay. I will be back to check on you. If you need anything, flag me down.”
He nods and gives me a smile. I turn and walk away from him as fast as I can. I head straight for the kitchen and stop to take a couple deep breaths. Something about that man rattles me. I’d like to say it’s the whole mafia king thing, but its deeper than that. I have already proved I don’t care who he is. So why do I find him so distracting?
“Sofia! You are getting behind. I have three of your tables ready here.”
Eddie starts to scold me.
“Sorry. Let me get those.”
I grab a tray and start loading up some food. Mia comes in behind me.
“Here, let me help. I didn’t realize you had special guests at your table. I was wondering why you were in my section.”
I groan as Eddie speaks up.
“Special guests?”
“Catalini and a couple of his boys.”
Eddie gives me an understanding look.
“Do what you need to, Sof. If I need to, I will deliver food myself.” He nods me out of the kitchen.
“No. Its ok. He told me he needed time. He said he would flag me down when he needed me. See. So, I am good. Now let me get these to my table.”
I head out with an order for one table as Mia loads up the second order. I get the third order then go and check on all my other tables. After I cash 4 tables out, I realize no one has been seated in my section and that there was a wait at the door. I go up to Izzy to check in.
“I am about to bus 4 tables and I have a fifth open.”
“No can do. As long as they are here, you need to focus on them. I will bus your tables and take over anyone I seat there.”
“You can’t do that. Seriously, it’s fine. Seat someone at 10 and I will bus the others.”
“But..”
I cut her off. “No buts. I can do my job and take care of them. Seat my tables damn it.”
I fume at her before I turn and go to bus my tables. Once they are bussed I see that she has sat a couple at table 10. After I bring their drinks and submit their food order, twenty minutes has gone by. I do one last check on my tables before I go and check on my “special party.”
