Page 7 of Just a Distraction

The people at the other tables are zoning into this now, and I feel all eyes on me. It’s not like I want to cause problems for the restaurant since Rose works here, but maybe a customer or two will have to be collateral damage.

Blaine continues to skulk, like he’s a bodyguard waiting for me to act out. I eat a couple more bites of the carbonara. Rose brings a Coke and sets it on the table. I thank her and take a good long swig of the caramel-brown liquid.

I look up at Blaine again. “Like I said, you’re mistreating your employee and that’s not tolerable. So, if you want to stay in business, I suggest you start treating her and everyone else with some respect. What I’ve witnessed here makes me not want to come back.”

“Is this about the sardines or about Rose?” Blaine face curls in a sneer and he looks at her. “Did you put him up to this?”

“What?” Rose snarls right back. She crosses her arms over her chest and raises her chin. “He’s not wrong, though. You do mistreat me, and it needs to stop.”

Blaine’s mouth drops open and he’s speechless for a moment before he collects himself. His forehead is sweaty. He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.

“This is a matter that needs to be taken outside,” he says to me. “You have no right.”

I finish chewing my last bite of carbonara and swallow. I point to the remaining sardines. “And you have no right passing these disgusting things off as food.” I sit up taller, addressing the other tables in the room. “But the pasta carbonara? Now that’s good.”I gesture to the other customers. “You all should order that next time.”

A woman at the table across from us sniffs. She scowls at Blaine.

“I think it’s time you left, sir.” Blaine’s brow looks like it weighs fifty pounds.

I turn back to Blaine and pick up my soda glass, shaking it gently to jostle the ice around. “I’m finished eating anyway, so sure.” I raise my gaze to Rose and offer what I hope is a good, non-committal,I’ve never really talked to yousmile. “Rose, would you mind bringing me the check, please?”

She smiles. “Of course.” She steals a glance at the seething Blaine. “And I’ll bring you a complimentary slice of our famous tiramisu, as well.”

She charges past Blaine, her shoulder bumping his upper arm on the way out. He gives me a look of death and spins on his heel.

When he’s through the kitchen doors, I let out a sigh of relief that that’s over. I just hope it doesn’t cause more problems than it solved. It felt good to stand up for Rose in my own way, even though it seems like she can handle herself just fine.

When she returns with the check and a clear to-go container with the tiramisu, I hand her my card immediately. “Sorry that got a little out of hand.” I feel the eyes of the other customers on me, so I rein it in. I don’t want to blow our cover. No one can suspect that it was premeditated.

“I’m sorry your sardines were a pile of crap.” One corner of her rosebud mouth twitches up. She waves my card between two of her fingers. “I’ll be right back.”

I’m already standing when she returns. I’d love to stay and talk with her some more, but it would add suspicion, and I don’t want to jeopardize her position here.

Her mouth is in a tight line when she hands me the receipt to sign. Did something happen while she was running my card?“Thanks for coming in. I hope you have a good evening.” Her voice is curt.

The playfulness between us is gone, and I wish I could ask her if she’s okay. But I can’t. I just sign, thank her again, and head out into the cool, autumn air. I resist the urge to turn back around to glance at Rose. I don’t want to leave things like this, but it seems I don’t have a choice.

I unlock my car and move to get in, but something stops me. Instead of getting in, I scratch at the back of my head, concern flaring in my brain.

I can’t go home yet.

Chapter 4

Rose

A half hour after the debacle with Milo, Blaine informs me he’s sending me home. I move to protest. It is my birthday, so it’s nice to be done early. But I need to finish my full shift. It’s still an hour until closing time, and I need the money.

But Blaine has spoken and there’s little I can do because I’m not in the mood to poke the Blaine bear. I put on my denim jacket, step out the back, and begin walking in the direction of my car, my mind reeling with all that transpired. That’s when I see Milo sitting on a big decorative rock on the outskirts of the parking lot.

“You’re still here?” I say.

He stands. “I—I wanted to make sure you were alright.”

“I’m fine.” I move past him, offering a tired smile. There are customers nearby, so there’s little I can say.

“Wait.” Milo is by my side in a flash. “What’s wrong?”

I don’t bother slowing down. Once the customers have closed their car doors, I answer. “Nothing. It was fun to mess with Blaine, but I have to go home now.”

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