Page 6 of Fight For Us
“Okay, okay. We’ll accept your offering of pizza.” With one hand holding my beach bag and the other on my hip, I added, “But we are pineapple lovers, and I will accept no criticism.”
He laughed, warm and rich. I found myself smiling.Reallysmiling.
“I’ll keep my opinions to myself. I wouldn’t want you to yell at me.” He reached out, taking the beach bag from my hand and slinging it over his shoulder. “Again.” My face heated at the memory of our first encounter. “You like beer, Olivia? Because I know I can use one.”
“I do.”
As I followed him and his daughter to their home, I checked my internal cues, surprised to find none of them firing. No tight chest. No racing heart. No overwhelming need to flee.
Only contentment and a feeling entirely new to me when it came to men: curiosity.
Chapter 3
Wes
“Hands,” I called, slidingthe hot plate stacked with pancakes and sausages onto the window and turning to plate up the next ticket. We were slammed for a Wednesday morning. According to Kelly, some meeting at the town hall let out, bringing in a group of twenty. I shouldn’t complain, we needed the customers. But damn, I wished I had better help in the kitchen.
“Sharp,” Thea called as she passed behind me. I glanced her way, to see her heading back to her station with a sack of potatoes in one hand and a knife in the other. At least I had one hardworking person on the line. Caleb was hanging around by the walk-in most definitely fucking around on his phone.
Breathe, Wes.You were a dumb kid once too. Fucking phones though. It was like they couldn’t go a minute without checking them.
I cleared my throat raising my voice so I reached him over the sizzle of the griddle. “I hope whoever you’re texting is more important than your job, kid.” I kept my tone playful so I didn’t lose my shit. It wasn’t worth it.
Caleb snapped his head up. “Sorry, boss man.”
“It’s all good. Put that thing away though.”
He slipped his phone into his pocket without another word. Anyone who worked with me knew how I felt about the damn things. I’m surprised he had the balls to bring one into my kitchen.
Halfway through the morning rush I felt that unmistakable buzz at the back of my neck. I didn’t have to hear her voice to know she’d arrived for her shift. She bustled around the serving station, pouring herself a cup of coffee. I wiped my palms on a towel and stepped away from the counter. Caleb could carry his weight for five minutes.
“Morning, Tiger. Rough one?” She grimaced, patted her pocket, and pulled out her vibrating phone. I ground my teeth.
“Sorry, it’s just my sister getting back to me. I’ll text her later.”
“You can use my office if you need to call her back.” Caleb overheard me and scoffed.
“No, it’s fine.” She took a deep sip of coffee and smacked her lips together. Her pouty pink lips. Not that I noticed them everyday. “Well, I better get out there. I hope it’s okay that I brought Alex again today? Mia had a meeting this morning and I still haven’t found a sitter. He has his iPad and promised he’ll be good.”
“Yeah, no problem. I’ll make him his favorite.” She reached out and gave my hand a squeeze. An appreciative squeeze, nothing more. But I couldn’t help reveling in the way her soft palm felt against my skin.
“Thank you. I hate to be a bother. Only one more week until school starts thankfully. Then it’ll be a whole new type of morning chaos.” A humorless laugh escaped her lips.
“While I’m thinking of it, Kelly asked if you could take the next big table? She needs a break. Ankles swollen like a sausage.” I formed my hands together in a circle for emphasis.
“Nice visual.” She finished off the remainder of her coffee, leaving the empty mug there for her next cup. “Of course, whatever I can do to help.”
I had a read on Olivia in the short time I’d known her. She liked to feel needed, even if she gave me shit for my messes. I’ve seen her secretly smiling while organizing my desk. I wasn’t short on ways to make her feel needed. Shewasneeded, very much so, even if I didn’t deserve her help.
“Hey, Chef,” Thea called. “I’ve got these diced potatoes ready to go.” I tipped my chin in Thea’s direction.
Turning back to Olivia, I said, “Give me ten minutes for Alex’s breakfast.”
“Will do.” She turned on her heel and made her way onto the floor, swaying her perfect ass in her tight black pants.
As usual, my old man was seated at the counter nursing his cup of coffee and listening in on any and all gossip that came his way. His brow raised as he spied me ogling Olivia. He’s badgered me at least ten times this week, asking when I’m going to quit being a dumbass and lock that woman down. Like it was so easy.
“Morning, Olivia,” he said, turning her way. “Looking good today.”
