Page 30 of Seductive Nights

"I don't. Didn't. I mean it was all Jace."

He grinned and shook his head. "You don't give yourself enough credit."

A server rushed toward Jace at that moment. "Jace. We have an issue in the kitchen."

He turned to her and nodded once. "Later. Gotta go."

17

Jace rushed into the kitchen as the chef, Marco, growled.

"What's going on?"

"Stove stopped working. I've got orders coming out of my ass and no stove."

"Good lord, I hope they aren't flying out of your ass. Let me take a look."

He reached behind and turned the gas off. He then turned it back on and tried the igniter. He messed with a few things and finally got the stove to light. "Let's get through tonight. I'll call in the morning for repair. It seems like a burp in the gas line."

Marco immediately turned to one of the prep assistants. "Back up. Start plating." And things returned to the hurried normal of the day.

Jace strode around the tables, ensuring everyone had drinks, picked up dirty dishes, and generally chatted with customers. His eyes never strayed far from the table in the corner with the gorgeous blue-eyed realtor.

He shook his head to dislodge the thoughts. He hadn't truly been enamored with a particular woman in...what was it? Years. He'd been kicking around, dealing with PTSD and what to do with his life. He'd grown a beard and let his hair grow, then shaved it all off. Found a job and quit said job. Then he came here. While he enjoyed looking at beautiful women, what man didn't? It had stayed just that way...great to look at. But Margo, he found himself wanting to be near her. Talk to her. Stare into her eyes.

He replaced a few drinks, checked with Marco to make sure the stove was still working, and he wasn't losing his cool, then sauntered toward Margo.

"Do you ladies need a refill?"

Carley giggled, and he made a mental note to check on how they'd get home. All the women were giggling and showing signs they'd drank too much to drive.

Carley looked up at him. "Do you have Uber here?"

He chuckled. "Yeah, we have Uber."

She smiled. She and Margo looked similar, but Margo, in his opinion, was prettier.

"I want another drink. This one's on me." Carley giggled.

Grace nodded. "I'll take one on Carley."

Hanna held up her glass. "Me, too."

He turned his head to Margo and saw her watching him. He lifted his brows, and she smiled a soft, mesmerizing smile. "I'll take one more. Then I'm done."

"Coming up."

Sid and Quinn strode toward the table. The grins on their faces caused him to grin. Quinn leaned down and kissed the top of Hanna's head. "Got your hands full here, Jace?"

Jace chuckled. "Nah. It's all good. You guys want a drink? The ladies just ordered another one."

Sid nodded. "Yep, not gonna sit here without one."

Jace chuckled. "I'll be right back."

He hustled off to order up the drinks and just before he stepped into the bar Sierra came out of nowhere. "I haven't seen you much tonight," she purred.

"Ahh." He took a breath. "No, it's a busy night here. Guests come first."

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