Page 26 of All Mine
Isabella felt Amber’s determination as if it were her own. She admired her positive attitude. She remembered Amber saying last night about how, until she found someone good enough to be daddy material, she was more than enough on her own. It resonated.
‘Have you ever waitressed?’ she asked, as casually as she could.
‘Girl, my parents own a beach restaurant in Jamaica. I grew up waiting tables.’
‘And you know lots of people locally?’ Isabella said.
Amber focused those ocean-coloured eyes on Isabella curiously.
‘I know pretty much everyone,’ she said. ‘And those I don’t know, I just haven’t met yet.’
‘So, you could staff a restaurant so that you didn’t have to be there in the evenings?’ Isabella asked.
‘Yes, I could,’ said Amber, cautiously optimistic now. Wren and Rosie were leaning forward in their seats. From the corner of her eye, Isabella saw Rosie take Wren’s hand and squeeze it.
Isabella made her decision. It wasn’t a hard one.
‘Then I’d like to offer you a job.’
Amber straightened her back and her blue smile lit her face.
‘And I’d like to accept.’
They shook hands solemnly while Rosie and Wren clapped.
‘Sorry to interrupt.’ A teenage girl wearing Doc Martens approached hesitantly and all eyes turned to her. She shuffled, kicking the heels of her boots against each other. Her eyeliner was heavy, her eyebrow had a lightning bolt through it and she wore her hair in space buns on the side of her head.
‘Do you need help finding something?’ Rosie said, already moving to stand.
‘Yes please,’ the girl said and turned to Amber, pointing at her big, blue grin. ‘Where did you get your lipstick from? It’s wicked.’
Mia Famiglia WhatsApp group
Isabella: I found my right-hand woman today!
Mamma: Hope you hired her?
Isabella: On the spot!
Papà: What experience does she bring?
Isabella: Great at organising kids’ river rafting and drinking blue cocktails.
Mamma: Hmmmm.
Isabella: She’s perfect, Mamma. Trust me.
Chapter Sixteen
Etienne
Etienne worked his own hangover off with a five-mile run at 7 a.m., followed by a three-mile row down the river and back, topped off with a bacon sandwich dripping with ketchup that Mile End Mickey presented to him on his return.
He lounged against the prepping table while he ate, licking his fingers and smacking his lips as he finished.
‘Good night then?’ Mickey asked, his knife a blur as he chopped vegetables for the day.
Etienne had to agree. He felt better this morning, reassured on two counts. Firstly, Fox and Walker had been certain he’d have the chance to put things right with Alex. And secondly, that his cock was in perfect working order. Or it was for Isabella Tucci, that was for certain.
