Page 57 of Knockin' Boats
A lot of the customers used the app to order—and Ash did sell one of his sweet potato sandwiches to my surprise, as well as a lot of falafel—but mostly, they went for the tacos, the meatball subs, the things that were familiar and Midwestern. It was ashame, because even his weirder food was delicious, and these people were missing out.
After my first couple of attempts went nowhere, I stopped recommending the gourmet-sounding items and went for the ones that were sure to win people over, making sure to describe them in down-to-earth ways.
Themarinated portobello mushroom thinly shaved and seared with roasted bell peppers and caramelized onions, with jack cheese and pestobecamea mushroom cheesesteak sandwich.
Ash grumbled about it, occasionally butting in to put it in his chef-speak, but mostly he had no choice but to roll with it because we were too damn busy.
When we got a spare moment to breathe, I headed straight out the door to the fresh air outside. The sun was high in the sky and I was overheated and pouring sweat.
I stripped off my T-shirt and tossed it aside.
The door banged open a minute later. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
I turned, spreading my arms to catch more of the sweet breeze. “Cooling off. What does it look like?”
“You can’t just strip down. That’s not sanitary.”
“I’m not near any of your precious food right now.Relax.”
Ash marched over, eyes burning. “I’ll relax when we’re done working. We should be cleaning up in there before the next wave hits.”
“Not happening,” I said flatly. “I need?—”
“Youneedto do what I say and stop sabotaging me!”
I laughed in shock. “Sabotage? All I’ve done ishelpyou.”
“By insulting my food? Or only encouraging people to order half my menu items? Orignoringme when I ask you to recommend the new specials?”
“You’ve got too many choices on there, and it’s too damn fancy. People out on the lake don’t want some frou-frou shit.”
“I didn’t start this business to sling burgers,” Ash exclaimed, eyes sparking with frustration.
“Well, you’re not gonna be slinginganythingif your customers don’t want what you serve.”
“How would I know if they want it? You didn’t give them the fucking chance!”
“You heard those guys today. They were about to drive off and order nothing.I saved your ass by winning them over. I can’t help what people want. You should bethankingme.”
Ash growled in frustration. “I knew this was a mistake! You just won’t ever quit fighting me, will you?”
I stepped closer, bringing us chest to chest. “Hey, you started this fight.”
“Well, maybe I should fucking finish it then.”
“Yeah?” I smirked. “You gonna kiss me again and run away?”
Ash’s eyes flared. “I’m not running anywhere. You want to punch me, punch me. I’m tired of this bullshit, Saw. I’ve tried keeping my distance. I’ve tried apologizing?—”
I shoved him against the exterior wall of the boat cabin and pinned him there with one hand at his throat. “That was a bullshit apology. Mel was waiting for you!”
He bared his teeth at me. “She’s just a friend, for fuck’s sake! I know it’s been a while since you’ve had a girlfriend, but certain parts have to touch?—”
“Shut the fuck up!”
“Why don’t you make me?
Something primal in me responded to the challenge in his eyes. My left hand balled into a fist, but I wasn’t a violent guy. I hadn’t punched anyone since sixth grade, and I’d felt guilty as fuck for weeks afterward.
