Page 74 of Time for Change

“We’ll be here,” he replies casually, but there’s no missing the burning desire swirling in his eyes.

I clear my throat again, suddenly hot and a little bothered, and practically scurry off to put in their drink order. I fill one glass with ice water and the other with Sprite before heading over to the bar to get Gianna’s drink. Another server is there,getting drinks, but between Walker and Kellen it doesn’t take long to finish her order.

Stepping up to the bar, I request, “One kiddie cocktail, please.”

Kellen chuckles. “If I had a dollar for every Arnold Palmer I’ve made,” he says, winking as he gets started on the drink. My phone vibrates in my pocket, and since I have a hot second, I pull it out and take a quick peek at the screen.

Jack:Hearing you call me sir put all sorts of ideas in my head. We’ll have to explore that. Soon. When we’re alone.

I feel the blush take over my face as I slip the device back into my pocket and reach for the completed drink.

“Here ya are, Stevie.”

“Thanks, Kellen.” I take the drink and place it on my tray.

He gives me a gorgeous smile that could probably make a nun blush and sends me on my way. And while I know he’s incredibly flirty, I know he doesn’t mean anything by it. He’s completely committed to his live-in girlfriend, who’s also a server here.

I return to Jack’s table, where I find Christian coloring on the white place mat with crayons and Gianna typing away on a phone. “Here we are,” I say, placing the drinks on the table. Just as I move to set Jack’s ice water down, he reaches for it, our fingers brushing together.

Swiping the hair hanging at the side of my face and pushing it behind my ear, I can feel Jack’s gaze, still feel the slide of his fingers against mine. “Are you ready to order?”

“Yes!” Christian bellows, excitedly. “Cheeseburger.”

I grin and nod. “Good choice. What would you like on it?”

“Cheese.”

“Got it,” I tell him. “Are fries okay?”

“Yeah,” he replies, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

“And for you?” I ask Gianna, turning my attention her way.

The smile falls from my lips when I take in her gaze. Her eyes are slightly narrowed and she’s watching me very intently. There’s something in the serious look on her face that tells me she’s skeptical of me.

“Gianna?” Jack asks, trying to move ordering along.

“Cheeseburger with ketchup and pickles.” She turns her attention back to the phone in front of her.

“Fries are okay?” I ask.

When she doesn’t reply, Jack says, “Fries are great for her, thanks. And I’ll have the Bangin’ Bacon Burger with fries.”

“Coming right up,” I reply, taking their menus off the table. Before I turn to walk away, I can’t help but steal a few extra seconds of Jack. He’s casual in a fitted long-sleeved T-shirt that hugs his arms and chest, jeans, and a pair of nice boots. His hair is combed and styled, most likely after taking a shower after work, and his eyes bright and following my every move.

But it’s not just his eyes I feel on me. Glancing to my left, I find Gianna staring at me, her eyes narrowed into little slits of curiosity. I quickly stand up straight and hurry away from the table, feeling oddly unsettled and embarrassed.

I stop by one of my tables to offer refills while they wait for their food, and then check another to see how their meal is going. A third table is ready for the check, so I hurry off to the servers’ station to prepare their final bill. Even though I’m mostly hidden behind a short wall, I feel his eyes on me. When I look toward their table, he’s watching me, the hint of a smile on his lips. It instantly brings a grin to my own, and suddenly, the bill I was finalizing is completely forgotten.

Until a little head spins around and a pair of blue eyes pins me to the wall.

No, not literally, but being caught by a nine-year-old making googly eyes at her father hits me like a punch to the gut.

I quickly look away, finishing my task, and return to the table with their check. I keep myself busy, checking on drink refills, delivering food, and collecting payments. When I see Garreth delivering food for Jack and his kids, I make my way toward them. “Can I grab you more drinks with your meals?” I ask, noting Jack’s water is low, as is Gianna’s kiddie cocktail. Christian’s drink is in a kid’s cup, and even though I can’t see the content level, the condensation line is still near the top, telling me he hasn’t drank much.

“Please,” Jack replies, reaching for his glass at the same time I do. Our fingers touch again, this time sending shivers through my body.

I turn to Gianna and give her a pleasant smile. “Another for you?”

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