Page 85 of Time for Change

“Don’t go. In fact, why don’t you join us?”

Just as I go to push the unwanted hand away, a much larger presence appears at the table. “I suggest you release my sister unless you want me to rearrange your face with my fist.”

The blond lets go of my leg, his wide eyes gazing up at Jameson. “Your sis-sister?” he sputters.

“Yep. Now, I’m going to tell you this once. Never touch one of our employees. Ever. And especially don’t touch my fucking sister. You got it?”

The guy looks like he’s about to piss his pants as he numbly nods. “Yeah. Got it. Sorry.”

“He didn’t mean anything by it, Tank,” the other guy adds, trying to defuse the situation and keep his friend from getting his ass kicked.

“I wonder if Leesa would feel the same?” Jameson asks, a knowing smirk on his face.

The guy who touched me goes ghost white. “No need to involve her. I was just playing around. It won’t happen again.”

“No, it won’t. Mostly because you won’t ever be back here. Time to go,” Jameson announces, pulling out the guy’s chair.

“What? Seriously? I was just—”

“You were just leaving,” Jameson interrupts. “Throw some cash on the table for a tip and then beat it. And make it a good one.”

The guy digs his wallet out, and while he and his friend both throw bills onto the table, I consider crawling under the table behind me and hiding. My brother doesn’t put his hands on either guy, but he follows them very closely as they scurry to the front door and exit the restaurant.

“Oh my God,” I mutter, looking around and finding all eyes on me. Fortunately, there weren’t many patrons left, but since it’s shift change, I find several pairs of fellow employees’ eyes staring back at me.

Cameron is the first one to practically run toward me and start cleaning up the table. “Why don’t you take a few minutes and go to the bathroom. I’ll get this,” she offers gently.

“No,” I quickly reply, reaching for the still-full beers that need to be dumped down the drain. “I’m okay.”

Another server joins us and grabs the rest of the dirty dishes and half-eaten food. By the time Jameson returns to the table, the only thing left on top is the tip. “That’s yours.”

I swipe at the bills and stuff them in my apron, ready to move from the center of the room. We take the dirty stuff and dump it, while Jameson goes to the computer and does something in the system.

“He’s cancelling out the order,” Cameron tells me with a small smile.

“Oh, but I have all of this to cover it,” I insist, pulling the wad of cash out.

“Not going to happen,” she informs me. “Anytime something like this happens, they cover the check. You get to keep all the cash for the pain and suffering of having to deal with assholes.”

I chuckle and glance at the other employees, all continuing to stare at me. Clearing my throat, I realize exactly what was said that has their attention. “Yes, I’m Jameson’s sister. Well, half sister,” I reply awkwardly.

“Sister,” Jameson states, printing out the updated check and turning to face us. “She’s my sister, no half about it.” Then, he turns and walks off, disappearing around the corner of the bar.

“Umm, okay, so sister.”

Cameron smiles. “Wow, wasn’t expecting that one.”

“It’s a recent development,” I assure her, shoving the cash back into my apron.

“And don’t feel bad about that. Like I said, it does happen, and when it does, the violator is escorted out of the building. No one takes too kindly to anyone putting their hands on any of us.”

I nod, feeling a little better about the fact it happened because I’m an employee, not because I’m related to one of the owners.

The rest of the changeover happens quickly, and before I know it, I’m clocking out and getting ready to go home. I’d love to head to Jack’s house, but he has a program at Gianna’s school to attend. So, I’ll be hanging out at my own place tonight, probably heading to the laundromat to do laundry and maybe stop at the store to grab a few groceries.

“Hey, girl,” Adrienne says as she meets me in the break room.

“Hi. How was your first day?”

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