Page 21 of Resurrection
"Yes," I say firmly. "Yes, he’s the one."
There’s a pause as she draws closer.
She gives me her pointed look. "And he shows up here? He’s got some nerve." Sonia doesn’t know the whole story, but I’m certain she’s heard bits and pieces from others. Even though we didn't know each other back then, she was just a couple of grades behind me in school.
"Don’t they all?" I mutter, grabbing a pile of napkins and stuffing them into my apron.
"Is he the one who’s in that band?" She gestures at her face and makes a circling motion with her index finger. "Where they’re all in makeup? Didn’t he replace Chance Hollowell?"
"Yep, same guy."
"It's wild to think this city birthed a celebrity," she muses, staring at the door like she expects Tyler to walk back through it.
"I don’t know if you can call him that," I reply dismissively, but it’s a lie. Tyler Brady is rich and famous. He’s number fifty-six on a list of the top one hundred most sought after bachelors in some music magazine. Yes, I’m guilty of looking him up.
"But he’s definitely handsome," Sonia says, not giving me an inch.
My voice gets sharper. "That doesn’t give him the right to be an ass."
Her expression softens, and she puts her hand on my arm. "You okay?"
I blink back at her, changing the subject fast, like ripping off a Band-Aid. "You want to know what’s not okay? Tomorrow’s children's art fair. It’s a bigger deal than we thought. Apparently, some people from the city council will be present."
"Not scared of those buffoons."
"You think we have enough buns? Utensils? Drinks? Paper plates? What about those light blue cups with flowers? I set those aside specifically for this event."
"You think we’re feeding the whole town?" Sonia laughs, rolling her eyes at my compulsive lists. "You’re such a perfectionist."
"Maybe." I pretend it’s no big deal, but it is. "I’d rather have extra than run out. We can always donate any leftovers to the homeless shelter."
"We have plenty of buns," Sonia assures me. "Relax. You always stress like this before events."
"Yeah, and then what happens?" I give her a half smile, challenging her to prove me wrong.
"They turn out great," she admits.
"Like I said." I tuck an errant strand of hair back behind my ear. "Bigger deal than we thought."
She leans back against the counter, the clatter of dishes barely audible as she keeps her eyes fixed on mine. "Aren't you already prepared for a bigger deal? Look at the menu you wrote."
"What’s wrong with it?" I know the answer: absolutely nothing. I worked on it for a week.
Sonia laughs again. "Three types of burgers for the kids? Why not just do PB&Js?"
"Potential peanut allergy nightmare."
"And the veggie wraps for their parents?"
"Who might actually like our food and book us for something bigger next time," I remind her.
"You’re ambitious." She shrugs. "And a control freak."
I nudge her with my elbow. "And lucky to have a manager who puts up with me."
"Yes, very lucky." She checks her Apple watch and then glances back at me. "I think we better start hustling. Dinner crowd is almost here."
"You’re right." I push the lingering thought of Tyler Brady from my head. I have people to feed. I don’t need him distracting me.
