Page 17 of Grid Search

“I know you want me to quit, but I like working here. However, now that I know your girlfriend works here too, I’ll quit if you want me to.”

I shake my head, unsure I heard her correctly. “Girlfriend? Yeah, my girlfriend works here. I told her to quit because she shouldn’t be on her feet that much.”

“What? Your girlfriend is pregnant too. Don’t you wrap that shit up?” Fire bursts in her eyes, and I’m turned on until I register what she said.

“I’m talking about you. You’re the only woman I’ve taken bare. You’re my girlfriend.”

“I’m your friend.” Her hands land on her hips, and I push her against the wall behind us and press my body into hers.

“You are my friend and a girl. My girlfriend. Feel that,” I growl into her ear. “Only you get me that fucking hard. Only you make me feel out of control.” I nip her earlobe. “You are my girlfriend.”

“No, I’m not. Tonya told me she was your girlfriend. When I came to work yesterday to cover for another server, she cornered me and told me she was your girlfriend, and that it didn’t matter if I had your baby.”

I rear back. “That fucking bitch.” I walk out of the kitchen with Lynae chasing after me.

“Not in the main room, Ry. Don’t scare away my guests.” My father barks from behind me. He overheard part of our conversation and knows what’s going to happen.

I stomp to the hostess station. I turn to see my dad still behind us. “You got her, please?” I nod to Lyn, and he nods his head. I watch as he pulls Lyn back. When she starts to struggle, I soften my brow, knowing I’m upset. “Babe, stay with my dad. I’m just going to clarify something.”

“No, Ry, I don’t want to interfere in your relationship.”

I look over her head, knowing I can’t keep my promise not to hurt her if I keep this from her. “Dad, can you follow us out?”

When I turn back, I find Tonya watching me. A look of hatred passes over her face when she looks at Lynae and then to her stomach.

“Outside. Let’s go.” I direct her out of the restaurant so we won’t be airing this in front of the customers.

“Honey, we can talk after work. You didn’t have to come by and see me, but it’s sweet.” Tonya’s voice is full of sugary sweetness and seduction, but it does nothing for me.

“Out.” I point to the door. She walks out the front door, and my father follows with Lyn at his side.

As soon as the door is closed behind us, I look at Tonya and then back to my woman. There are tears in Lyn’s eyes and it guts me. “Lyn, I’ve never dated this woman. She’s asked me out several times, but I’ve never dated her, not once. I swear. Remember what I promised,” I tell her and then turn to Tonya.

“You’re fired. You lied to the mother of my child.” Tonya’s eyes flare wide as she looks at Lynae’s stomach and then back to me.

“Wait, that’s really your baby?” Tonya sputters.

“It is. Now, get off our property.”

She pulls her shoulders back. “You can’t fire me, only Jaden can.”

I watch as my dad bristles from her calling him by his first name. Only a few people call him Jaden, most here call him Mr. Murphy or Chef Murphy. Lyn, I noticed, is among the few.

“My son told you you’re fired. Don’t make me have you removed from the property. I don’t employ liars.”

“But, sir.”

“No.”

“You bitch.” She rounds on Lynae, and I’ve had enough.

“Get in your car and get off this property now, or I’ll tell every business in this town that you’re unemployable. This is on you. Lynae had nothing to do with this. You did it.”

“But, Ryker, we could be so good together.” She turns the sugar back on, and this time she tries to add tears, but they don’t faze me like Lyn’s do.

“I’m only good with one person, and that’s Lynae. Now, leave.”

I watch Tonya storm to her car before I turn back to face Lynae. “I swear I never had relations with her at all. Not even a shake of the hand.”

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