“Good choice.”She nodded, all the while feeling like Brett was watching her every move. Which was silly.
“And I think I’ll have a vanilla malt to go with it.”Austin glanced over at Emily and Brett’s table as he handed her the menu.
“I’ll have your order out to you soon.”She turned and headed to the kitchen.
Heather looked up as she entered.“You okay?”
“Yes, it’s just…Austin came in. And we’re crazy busy, so I can’t really talk to him. And…Emily and Brett are here eating dinner, too. And Brett is…watching me. Or maybe I’m imagining that.”
“If Emily has told him about Austin, maybe he’s jealous?”
“Why would he be jealous?”
“Because Brett didn’t want to be married to you or have the responsibility of raising Emily…but then, I’m not sure he’s ever gotten over you.”
“That makes no sense.”She shook her head.
“Okay, but I still think he has a thing for you.”
“That’s crazy.”
“Whatever you say…”Heather rolled her eyes, then handed her another order.“Table Six.”
She went back out into the dining room and delivered the order, then made the malt for Austin and brought it to his table.
“I guess you’re too busy to sit down for a bit?”he asked.
“Yes, I’m sorry. We’re just crazy busy tonight.”
“But being busy is good, right?”
“Right.”She glanced over and caught Brett staring at her. She ignored it. Mostly.“I’ll go check on your order.”
She headed back to the kitchen, grabbed Austin’s order, and dropped it off at his table.
“Thanks.”He smiled at her and her heart did that little flip again.
She was tempted to sit down with him if only for a minute…
“Mom.”Emily waved and motioned her over to their table.
“Better go see what she wants.”Austin tilted his head toward Emily.
She nodded and headed over to Emily and Brett’s table.“Hi, honey. Enjoying your dinner?”
“Evelyn’s meatloaf is like the best ever,”Emily said.
“Have to agree with our daughter on that one,”Brett added.“Can you sit down and join us for a bit?”
“Can you, Mom?”
She looked around the room.“I wish I could. But all the tables are full and we’re so busy.”
“Just for a minute. I have something to tell you.”Emily pulled out the chair beside her.
Okay, if Emily needed to tell her something, then the customers would have to wait just a minute. She sank into the chair.
“So…Dad and I have been talking. When school is out, he’s talking about taking me to Paris. Paris! Can you imagine?”
