Page 57 of Accidental Baby Daddy

“To get out of Wagontown,” he said flatly.

I huffed. “Yeah, to get out of Wagontown.”

Oliver took off fast onto the highway, as if what I said upset him. I’d never lied to him, and I wasn’t about to start now, regardless of what he believed.

All I wanted was to start my life over, away from all these painful memories.

Was that too much to ask?

My shift at the grocery store went by without incident. I received my paycheck for the week, smiling at Agnes as she gave it to me.

“You’re doing great here, Lex. It’s good to have the extra help during tourist season.”

“I’m happy to do it.”

I stopped by the diner and grabbed a sandwich andfries, eating quickly before my shift at the bar started. I arrived a few moments early to see Krista setting up for a big table.

“Oh, geez,” I muttered, and she laughed.

“It shouldn’t be too bad. They called ahead to order their appetizers and drinks. We’ll just need to deal with refills. Raoul will be manning the bar tonight, and we’ll work on this party.”

“How many?” I asked, looking around, a little intimidated by all the chairs she’d set up.

“Fifty, fifty-five,” she answered, as if that wasn’t a ridiculous amount of people for one table.

My eyes widened. “I’ve never taken a party this big,” I explained, but Krista just shrugged.

“You’ll have me to help. They’re good tippers, don’t worry.”

I was still new to all this so I did worry. And, of course, I messed up, dropping a tray of drinks while taking them to the table. Raoul was so nice, telling me not to worry about it as he helped me clean it up.

“Thank God,” I mumbled as he made the rest of the drinks.

He laughed, the sound low in his chest, sweeping back his dark hair with one hand.

“Don’t worry about it, honey. You’re still fairly new. I don’t expect you to be perfect.”

“You’re a great guy, Raoul,” I told him, and he just smiled. He was handsome and young, I’d say early twenties. I felt like an old lady next to him.

The party only got just a little rowdy, and Krista and I were able to handle it with ease. Both of us were good at turning on the charm, so we did exactly that, some of theolder, more inebriated patrons liking our sass, so it all worked out in the end.

We were splitting the tips, sitting cross-legged on the back stoop, when Oliver finally made his appearance.

It was nearly eleven o’clock and he’d been inside the office all night.

“How’d the fifty-top go?” he asked.

“We did fine without you, boss,” Krista said coolly, smiling sweetly when Oliver glanced at her.

“We didn’t need your help,” I egged her on, giggling.

“Look, I’m sorry,” Oliver sighed. “I got stuck on the phone with Clayton. He’s worried about his staff.”

Krista stood up, patting Oliver’s shoulder. “Tell old Clayton we’re doing great. Making more money all the time.”

She handed me my cut, which was around four-hundred dollars, and my eyes widened as I pocketed it.

“And don’t ask me if I’m sure,” Krista warned me. “You’re doing amazing for a first timer.”

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