Serendipity by Jackie Calhoun

Author:Jackie Calhoun [Calhoun, Jackie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781594934308
Publisher: Bella Books
Published: 2014-07-16T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Robert picked the girls up Friday after five on his way home. Olivia had heard the girls talking about Veronica, when they thought their mother was out of earshot. They hated the way she hogged their dad’s attention.

“She’s always kissing and hugging him. Makes me want to puke,” Izzy had said.

Sophie had made gagging sounds, which made them both giggle.

Olivia had hoped their dislike of Veronica would keep them from moving in with their dad full-time.

Friday nights at the restaurant were not so busy because nearly everyone ordered the fish fry or ate off the buffet. She was in the kitchen, making up plates, when Ben, who was busing, came into the room with a load of dirty dishes.

“Bri’s here,” he said excitedly. “Jim, too. She asked me to tell you that.”

She laughed.

“What?” he asked with a slight frown.

“She’s too old for you, Ben.” She said this gently.

He turned red. “I know. Don’t tell Izzy.”

“I won’t.” Izzy was warming up to Ben again. Olivia had noticed them standing in corners, whispering. Ben couldn’t hide his excitement over Bri any more than Olivia could, even when she saw how much it amused Bri.

She made her way to the table where Troy, looking boyish and eager, was engaged in conversation with Jim.

Maxie grinned at Olivia. “The memories come racing back. How many hours have I spent in this restaurant, waiting for you to get off? I used to help bus tables—anything to get you out of here faster.”

“I know. Want to bus tables tonight?” She was only teasing, of course.

“I will when you close.”

“I didn’t mean it, Maxie,” she said.

“I did.” Maxie looked her straight in the eye. “I liked doing it.”

“Thanks. Now what do you all want to drink?” She took down orders and left to fill them. They had hired another bartender, a college girl, who was pretty good.

Later, after the last customer slipped out the door, Maxie did help Ben with the busing, while Olivia and Cynthia prepared for the next day. Afterward, Olivia pulled a chair up to the table. She nursed a drink as she ate.

When Ben saw that Bri wasn’t leaving, he wanted to stay. Cynthia bustled him out the door, and Olivia’s dad left when Charlie did. The new bartender took the high school waitresses to their homes. Olivia had never been in the restaurant after hours with friends. She turned on music, mixed more drinks and gave everyone dessert.

“Want to dance?” Troy asked Bri.

Mesmerized by desire, Olivia watched Bri and Troy eat up the small dance floor with sweeping moves. It looked like they’d had a lot of practice. She itched to dance slowly with Bri, to put her face in Bri’s neck, to be close enough to feel the press of their bodies. At the same time, she knew she was nowhere near as talented a dancer. She’d only embarrass herself.

When Jim and Maxie took to the floor, Olivia was left alone but she didn’t care. Her feet and legs hurt. The next song was slow and sensuous and Jim asked her to dance.

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