Page 2 of Falling for My Best Friend's Dad
“Congratulations!” I say, smiling. “Does it mean you won’t be going back to school anytime soon?”
“I don’t think so,” she says, shrugging. “Jose says it doesn’t matter I get a job or not. His construction company is doing really well.”
“Good for you!”
“Thanks!”
After handing back Leslie her baby, I sit alone on a patio chair, sipping the Yerba Mate tea Angelica made. I watch Leslie playing with her baby. I love babies, and I really wish to have my own one day, but it’s something that has to wait. Leslie is always luckier than I. Her parents are a loving couple, and she and her siblings don’t have to worry about life so much. She never has to pay rent and spends all the money she makes from her part-time jobs on designer bags. In our freshman year, she showed me her collection, and we counted a total of twenty satchels, shoulder bags, carryalls, etc. from Coach, Kate Spade, Louis Vuitton, all new and seldom used.
I didn’t care for the bags so much, but I envied her when her dad bought her a brand new iBook the first year in college.
Just a few months ago, I was proud of myself for being the first among my cousins who graduated from college. But now, I’m not sure anymore. Maybe I should spend some time o Facebook and meet guys instead.
“You need to get going unless you want to stay for the party,” my mom’s voice interrupts my thoughts. I glance at my phone. Shit. Time flies. It’s almost eleven thirty. The restaurant I work isn’t far from Angelica’s house, but the traffic isn’t reliable.
“Okay. I’m gonna take off.” I kiss my grandma on the cheek and say goodbye to everyone.
I drive toward Bay Boulevard. The truth is, I’ve been thinking about quitting one of the two jobs I have and can’t decide.
I love working at the restaurant because I’ve been working there since high school, and Richard, the owner of the restaurant and his daughter Ivy are like family to me. Ivy is getting married in just a month. If I leave now, Richard will have a hard time, will he? I try to convince myself he will find a replacement easily, but I don’t know for sure. Maybe I just don’t want to leave him yet.
As for my day job? I cringe at the thought of it. The job itself is okay, but my boss is a creep. At first I thought he was friendly, but now I’m not sure anymore. He does have a habit of putting his hand on me whether I like it or not. I should quit this job, but then, I want at least a few more months of experience so I can find a better one in the future. Since I worked my butt off to get a college degree, I should make good use of it, right?
The traffic is good, and I arrive at Bay Bistro ten minutes before noon. I park my car and fix my makeup quickly before going into the restaurant. There are a couple of customers at a table. Richard is speaking to one of them.
The sight of Richard causes my heart to flutter and I have to take a deep breath to stop it. But I can’t tear my eyes away from his tall and athletic frame. I feast them on his sharp and confident profile, his aquiline nose, straight forehead, and square jaw. Sometimes I have trouble believing he’s really over forty because he looks stronger than a lot of guys my age. Sensing my stares, Richard turns to smile at me and melt me with his smoldering cobalt eyes and gorgeous white smile. I wave back calmly, although my knees wobble.
I go into the storeroom to get ready for work. While putting on the apron, I remind myself not to forget my place. Richard belongs to Olivia, even though she isn’t alive anymore. With the thought in mind, I start the preparations at the bar: checking keg levels, setting out clean glassware, stocking bottled beverages. While doing these mindless tasks, my eyes can’t help glancing at Richard.
I met Richard for the first time at Ivy’s fifteenth birthday party, which was about a year before I started to work here. He was a lot more cheerful back then and smiled often. After Olivia started the cancer treatments, they needed help with the restaurant, so Ivy begged her parents to hire me even though Richard preferred an adult who could work full time and could serve the bar. He gave me a trial period of three months, but I didn’t disappoint him. I worked hard and earned his approval.
It didn’t take me long to fall for Richard. I’d never seen any man being so devoted to his wife. He never raised his voice in front of her. When she was in the hospital, he would be there with her whenever he could. My dad deserted my mom when I was twelve, and for many years I hated men. But seeing the way Richard treated his wife changed my opinions about men.
My reminiscence is broken by the entrance of a tall middle-aged blond woman with a bob cut. My heart plunges in an instant. Penny. Richard’s accountant and admirer.
I wait for a second before I reach for the menu. Penny made it clear on her previous visits that she preferred Richard’s service. But seeing Richard is still busy speaking to customers, I go to her anyway.
“Good afternoon, Penny,” I put on an agreeable smile as I place the menu in front of her.
She gives me a slight nod as a response, and adds, “It’s not noon yet.”
“Oh,” I glance at the clock. It’s two minutes to twelve. I hold my urge to roll my eyes, reminding myself Penny is an accountant, so she probably just can’t help being precise.
“Good morning, then,” I say with a shrug.
She doesn’t follow up on the comment. Instead, her eyes drift to Richard. He acknowledges her with a smile and returns to talking with his regular customers. Penny is probably disappointed by Richard’s lack of enthusiasm. Her lips slightly pressed together as she says to me, “I’ll need time with the menu. Bring me a glass of Zinfandel for now.”
I know it’s just her way of saying she would wait for Richard to take her order, because Penny doesn’t really need the menu. She always ends up ordering the Tofu Linguini, our only vegan dish.
“Sure no problem. I’ll be back.” I walk away promptly to get her the drink.
Chapter 2
Richard
“Richard, you should’ve joined us,” John says. “It was a fabulous experience.”
John and his wife Tina went on a cruise to Alaska last month. I’ve known them for over ten years and they’re my most loyal customers.
