Page 46 of Win Some Love Some
“Just want to make sure she’s fitting in. What does Jolie say about her?”
“That she’s had some adjustments but remains optimistic.”
“That doesn’t sound good.”
Sunny put down the menus. “I’d like to remind you both we have a strict no video policy.”
“What in the world would we video?” I asked Mal as we sat down.
“Bon soir mes amies,” Nora said as she approached our table, a glass pitcher in her hand. She stopped when she saw me. Blinked rapidly. Like she was glitching.
“Hello, Nora,” Malcolm said as he folded his white cloth napkin over his lap.
I gave her a chin nod.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
Now it was my turn to blink at her. “Eating.”
“Wouldn’t you rather go to Pappas?” She bent closer to me and whispered. “Go get a burger. Everything here is really…”
“Nora?” Mal said, a rebuke loud and clear in his tone and she straightened right back up.
“L’eau?” She asked with this bright fake smile on her face.
“Nor, you know I don’t speak French.”
“I’m just trying to make the entire experience seem more French for you,” she said between clenched teeth.
“Swell. Can you do that in English?”
“Fine. Water?”
“Please.”
She filled our glasses with water.
“Are you certain I can’t translate the menu for you in French so you can appreciate the nature of the cuisine?” she asked hopefully.
I opened the menu that had been set in front of me.
“Pour example, Ca c’est steak frites.” She pointed to the top item on the entrée side.
“You mean the steak and fries? You know I can read, right?”
“Nick” she huffed with a little stomp of her foot that I would never admit, but always found adorable. “You’re not helping me.”
“Am I supposed to be?”
“Nora?” Rebecca Hernandez, who had just returned from college, and was wearing a server uniform, graced us with a wide smile and sharp eyes. “This is my table.”
“Can I just…?” Nora whispered.
“You heard Jolie,” Rebecca whispered. “No stories. No free food. No changing orders because you think you know better.”
Nora went bright red and I bit back a smile. All of that stuff – stories and knowing an order better – it tracked.
There was a whole silent conversation with lifted eyebrows and pursed lips and finally Rebecca sighed. “Enjoy your dinner and good luck,” she said to Mal and me as she walked off.
