Page 61 of Shark 2

“Oh, the first orders are here. Time to cook!” Reed said excitedly, as the little printer connected remotely to the computer at the waiter stand began printing.

Over the next five hours, there was no time to relax, as the tables stayed filled, and the orders kept coming. One table ordered every item on the menu, and to our surprise, ate it all. Jong-min and Jong-hyun sat in the now empty main room, eyes closed as they relaxed for the first time.

“So, how many pictures did you take tonight?” I asked with a smile.

“Hundreds,” Jong-min answered.

“How many times did you get your butt grabbed?” I teased.

“Only once,” Jong-hyun replied. “She was in her eighties.”

My head fell back as I laughed.

“The opening was definitely a success,” Grant said as he looked at the evening’s tally. “We just have to hope we can sustain even after the newness has worn off.”

“You’d be surprised how many fans are still out there,” I said. “There were some making plans to come a few months from now due to financial and personal obligations until then. I think it’s safe to say we’ll have business for a few months at least.”

“Yes, but it’s a year from now that I’m focused on,” Grant whispered.

“You all did great tonight,” I said. “And while I would love to be part of the permanent staff, I definitely prefer working at the pizza place. Much less stressful.”

All of them laughed except Jong-kyu.

“Why did you put Sunday and Monday as days to be closed?” Jong-kyu asked. “You will make more money the more days you are open.”

“Because we need a day to relax and a day to spend time with our mate,” Jong-min answered and winked at me.

Hearing him call me his mate sent a thrill through my body.

“I already confirmed with Gina that I’ll be off those days moving forward,” I said and leaned my head on Grant’s shoulder since he was nearest me. “She liked the idea of me being available consistently Tuesday through Saturday as those are her busiest days anyway.”

“Why two days? You could do that with one day?” Jong-kyu asked.

“You’ll understand when you find a mate,” Jong-min said. “It’s not enough to just be together one day, the same day we’re meant to relax. We need a full day to enjoy being in each other’s company. With this restaurant, we are going to be busy and likely stressed when we are home and we need to make sure we don’t neglect her.”

“You’re so thoughtful,” I said and made a kissy face at him.

“You’re different,” Jong-kyu whispered.

Jong-min shrugged. “That happens when you find your mate.”

“And she melts your cold heart,” I added with a wink.

He rolled his eyes, but didn’t argue.

The door to the restaurant opened and I said, “We’re closed for the day.”

When Zara stumbled in, blood streaming down her head and carrying an unconscious Zyra, we all leapt to our feet.

“Help,” she whispered. Her eyes rolled up into the back of her head and she fainted.

29

Reed called Silver while Jong-min and Jong-hyun inspected the troll sisters and tried to heal them.

I paced nervously, biting one of my nails. Zara and Zyra were my sworn sisters. We had no blood relation, but had made an oath to be sisters. They were part of my small, found family, and I couldn’t bear the thought of losing them. Whoever hurt them was going to pay.

“Silver isn’t answering,” Reed said and looked at me hesitantly.

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