“Here you go.” Kat scanned the table to make sure all the condiments were there. “Enjoy.”
“Thank you.”
In between her side-work, she was the dutiful server and checked back when she could. McGrabby was being a prick. She was frustrated, angry, and relieved. It was her last day, and she was finally getting away from that man.
He snapped at her as he put on his jacket. “You’re off the floor. Judy, I’m leaving. I’ve had a long day and I’m fed up with ungrateful bitches.”
Hands shaking, Kat returned to find his plate empty. “I’m guessing you enjoyed your food.”
“Thoroughly.” He smiled and eyed the manager climbing into his car parked near the front door.
“Would you like dessert? We’ve got a delectable chocolate cake, or perhaps you’d prefer carrot cake? Or would you rather have some French Silk pie?”
“I’ll have the pie.” He looked at the clock and the salt and pepper shakers on the tray near the front of her section. “Why don’t you fill those here and chat with me? You can tell me about all the places to go for fun.”
“Oh?” She collected the shakers. “Are you new in town?”
“Yes, just a few days ago. I’m Jason, by the way. What’s there to do around here?”
“Practically everything and anything you could want.”
“What do you do?”
She scoffed. “I’m boring. You don’t want to use me as an example of what’s fun around here.”
“Are you a homebody?”
“Yes, but only so much aloneness is tolerable. I sadly have to admit that I need people.”
“Me, too. I’m comfortable being by myself, but sometimes…” He put his hand out, palm up.
“Yeah, I get it completely.”
He was quiet for a moment. “Would you like to do something tonight?”
Kat’s heart thundered in her chest. Yes! “Um, we kind-of just met. I’d rather—”
“Oh, of course. I’m sorry.” Disappointment shuttered his voice.
What was wrong with her? It was her last day. Clere’s couldn’t fire her for dating a customer. There wasn’t a single reason why she couldn’t jump out of her comfort zone and meet the man somewhere.
“We could meet in a public place?”
A smile flashed in his eyes. “You have to eat. We could meet back here?”
“Sure.”
“How does seven sound?”
She grabbed his empty dessert plate, her heart still beating an explosive tap. “Sure. Seven o’clock sounds good.”
Jason put a five on the table, grabbed the check, and headed toward the cashier. “I’ll see you then.”
Thank you very much!
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