After Hours by Kennedy Claire

Author:Kennedy, Claire [Kennedy, Claire]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, azw3, epub
ISBN: 9781481430173
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Published: 2015-06-16T07:00:00+00:00

Isa

Thursday

For some reason, Rico is holding Tips again.

It hasn’t even been two weeks.

And the weirdest part is suddenly everyone’s all Xavi, Xavi, Xavi. I mean, I get it, she’s gorgeous, and yeah, she’s kind of funny, and sure, she’s nice, but now she gets the best of everything?

Xavi is the type of girl you really want to hate, but she’s so cool and sweet that you can’t actually feel any sort of ill will toward her without feeling like a cartoon villain.

I walk out onto the floor, balancing my tray on my shoulder. Xavi’s working the shift with me—the busy shift. New waitresses normally start out on the morning shift, or sneak in a few slow afternoon hours while they’re trained. But not Xavi. Rico’s put her in prime time: dinner and close.

Even worse, she’s good. Really good. She is a born waitress. The customers love her, and her pockets are already overflowing with cash. I saw Mr. Phillips, a local dentist, tip her forty dollars on an eighty-dollar meal. I mean, sure, that stuff happens sometimes, but for a brand-new waitress?

It’s rare. More than rare.

As I clear my last table, Xavi walks out, grinning like a maniac. “This is great sorts of greatness,” she announces to the almost empty room. Peter is cleaning up in the kitchen—he worked a double shift, first at the bar, then as the cook—and Finn, who worked the final shift with us, is nowhere to be found. I think he’s avoiding me.

Which I’m fine with. The bruise on my cheek is darker and bigger than I’d thought. I’d had to use pageant levels of makeup to hide it. I don’t want him to see how much his ancient girlfriend hurt me.

Or how much he’s hurt me.

“You’re doing really well,” I tell Xavi. “Better than I did, at first.” I set a couple of water glasses on my tray.

Xavi actually turns a little pink. “Um, thanks. Rico said you guys were short tonight. I was glad to jump in.”

We were short? I frown. I’m pretty sure Aida was bitching yesterday about wanting the late shift, but whatever.

“You know,” Xavi says, “I still have a table here. If you feel like ditching a couple minutes early.” She jerks her head toward the door as she begins stacking plates onto my tray.

I stare. This is why no one in the whole world can hate Xavi. “Are you sure? I don’t mind staying.”

Xavi shrugs. “I don’t care. It gives me a reason to be on the floor in case my last table decides they need an extra olive on their salads.” She grins. “Go on. I got this.”

“Thanks, Xavi. I really, really appreciate it. You’re the best. Seriously.”

“Have fun,” she says, bending over my final table.

Huh. People are weird sometimes.

I change back into civilian clothing in the staff bathroom. I learned my lesson at Finn’s boat party—no one stays in their waiting clothes outside of work. In fact, most people don’t even come to work in their waiting gear.

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