Page 31 of Room for Three

Mario, the bus boy and dishwasher, appears at my side with a bin to clear the table. “Hey, Savvy, Vale wants to talk to you in the office.”

I whip around to face him. I’m not sure how old he is, but he can’t be much older than me. If I wasn’t all twisted up over my roommates, I’d probably want to date a guy like Mario. With his dark hair, green eyes, and lazy smile, he’s easy on the eyes, that’s for sure.

“What does she want?” I ask, voice unnaturally high. “Am I in trouble?”

He chuckles. “With Vale? Hell naw. She’s sweeter than that dessert shit she makes. Probably nothing. I’ll watch the front while you’re back there.”

I thank him and then rush to the back where Vale and Aiden share an office. She’s shoveling food into her mouth so fast I’m not sure she’s even tasting it.

“Savvy,” she says around the chicken she’s chewing. “This will only take a sec. Close the door.”

Great.

Now I know I’m in trouble.

Anxiety ratchets through me as I quietly close the door. “I’m really busy out there.”

“I know, hon.” She sets down her plate, swallows her food, and then approaches slowly. “Are you okay? Do you want us to call someone?”

I gape at her, eyes wide with confusion. “What? Why?”

She purses her lips and then lets out a sharp breath of air. “The man who touched you out there. Aiden saw it and wanted me to talk to you.”

My face burns hot. “That was my foster dad. He was just hugging me. Gave me a big tip too. Nothing to worry about.”

She tucks a strand of her red hair behind her ear and studies me intently. “Are you sure it wasn’t anything bad? Aiden is protective of his staff.”

“I swear,” I lie. “They’re my family.” Another lie.

This seems to relieve her because the tension floods out of her and her shoulders relax. “Okay, good. And yay for a big tip. I know I can speak for Aiden, too, but you’re doing a phenomenal job. We’re still hiring. Soon, it won’t always be so crazy. Hang in there, hon.”

Once she’s deemed I’m not in any danger, she dismisses me, and we both head back to our respective areas. Aiden gives me a small smile and nods. Though it was awkward that they confronted me about what Owen did, I’m also touched.

There are people, other than Travis and Cole, who care about my wellbeing in this world.

Things are going to be okay.

Cole

Ithrum the steering wheel with my thumbs as I anxiously await Savvy to get out of work. I’m unsure how our talk will go, but it’s necessary. Last night, I stood outside the vehicle, which set me up for failure because when she hugged me, I lost all resolve to behave. Not making that mistake again.

Savvy exits the building, beaming from ear to ear. I haven’t seen her smile like that since she was a kid. She bounces down the stairs and hurries to the passenger side.

“I made over four-hundred-dollars in tips tonight, Cole!”

Her excitement is infectious. “Seriously? That’s incredible. Good job, sweetheart.”

She’s cute as she preens at my praise. I notice she smells smoky, like a juicy, overpriced steak, and my mouth waters.

I listen with pleasure as she babbles about all her tables on the way home. I’m loving this new side of her. She seems so happy.

“I got to see Addison, too,” she says quickly and then points to where Travis’s motorcycle is typically parked as we arrive at home. “Where’s Travis?”

“Addison came for dinner? Was she alone?”

She dodges the question which has alarm bells ringing in my head. “It’s late. Where could he be?”

I want to know more about how things went with Addison. Was the whole family with her? Was Owen there? But, before I can ask anything else, Savvy has already hopped out of the vehicle and races to the front door.

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