When I arrived, the parking lot was packed, and there was a long line out the door. For a Sunday night, the place was hopping. I parked in the back like I always did and sat in my car a couple of minutes longer than necessary, screwing up my courage to actually go inside. And then, I opened the car door and got out.
Inside, the place was a madhouse. Weaving through the crowd, I clocked in and ducked into the waitress station.
"Thank God you're here," Josie said. "Three girls called in sick, and we're totally slammed."
I looked around. "Where's Keith?"
She rolled her eyes. "Hiding in his office. Where else? Hey, help me with these salads, will ya?" She thrust five empty bowls in my direction. "Four ranch, one blue cheese. Next table's yours, by the way."
I started flinging lettuce into the bowls while she assembled a tray of soft drinks. I lowered my voice. "I thought I was fired."
"I thought so too. We all did." She turned and grinned at me. "Keith was so pissed. You know that vein in his forehead? It was totally ready to pop, swear to God. The guys in the back were taking bets."
"So why'd he call me back?" I asked.
Josie glanced around. "Like I mentioned, three girls called in sick, two of the chefs too. Some kind of volcanic flu, if you know what I mean. Then Carmen's in Florida, and Keisha eloped with some football player. Anyway, I don't think Keith knew what else to do."
"So I wasn't still on the schedule?"
"Hell no," she said. "He scratched your name off the second you stormed out the other night." She lowered her voice. "Did you really tell him to fuck off?"
I nodded. "Yeah, but it wasn't half as fun as it sounds."
"I seriously doubt that," she said. "My bet? As soon as the flu thing passes, he'll find some reason to let you go. I'd give it a week. Two tops. I sure hope you're looking for another job."
"Not really," I said. "Long story."
"And he says you owe him money."
"Technically, I owe the restaurant money," I said. That reminded me, I still didn't know how I'd finally settle the incident with Brittney, but knowing Keith, that had to be in the mix somewhere. "He's probably gonna dock my last paycheck."
"Yeah. That sounds like him."
"Well, I'm here now," I said, passing her the tray of assembled salads and wading out to catch the next table. "I guess I'd better make it count."
Business was absolutely crazy. Even with my unscheduled arrival, we were still two girls short. But it wasn't all bad. Sure, more tables meant more stress, but it also meant more tips.
I barely saw Keith, mostly because he spent most of the night hiding out in his office. Probably, it had nothing to do with me, and everything to do with the fact there was actual work to be done. He finally surfaced a little after midnight when Julia, the hostess on duty, threw up in the ladies room and had to be sent home.
With no one to take her place, Keith reluctantly assumed host duty, seating customers and assigning tables. Things were going as smooth as could be expected until I glanced out at my next table, only to see Brittney and Amber sitting there, dressed to kill with facial expressions to match.
Chapter 33
I rushed over to Keith, who'd just returned to the hostess station. "I can't wait on those girls," I said.
He crossed his arms. "And why not?"
"You can't be serious," I said. "You know why not. After the other night, you honestly think that's a good idea?"
He flicked his gaze in their direction. "They seem to think so."
I stared at him. "What?"
"Yeah. They requested you personally. Got a problem with that?"
"Hell yeah, I got a problem with that. They're just messing with me. You know it, and I know it."
Keith lowered his voice. "All I know is that unless you're planning to curse me out again, you'll get your ass out there." He gave a nasty smile. "Unless you don't think you can handle it?"
