The Summer We Surrendered: A small-town, second chance, MM sports romance. (Ocean Pines Series Book 4) by Victoria Denault

Author:Victoria Denault [Denault, Victoria]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-12-06T16:00:00+00:00

13

DECLAN

It’s been a hell of a day. The restaurant was packed from open to close. We have every employee working and I even had to cover some tables on the back patio because the servers were slammed. I came in for a standard eight-hour shift but that was fourteen hours ago. Now, it’s just me, Robbie, and Javi because I sent the exhausted staff home as soon as their tables were cleared. I turn the sign on the door from open to closed and Robbie and Javi both clap. “Thank God this day is over.”

“Yeah. But damn good business for this place,” I can’t help but note. The business manager — ex-business manager — in me is excited. But the part of me that just worked a double shift that didn’t involve sitting behind the desk once, that dude is too tired to be excited.

“So, the back is clean as a whistle and prepped for tomorrow,” Javi tells me.

“I just gotta mop and we should be good to go,” Robbie tells me. “Oh, and refill the condiments and the supplies at the take-out window.”

“I can do all of that. You guys can both knock off.”

“You’re my favorite boss,” Javi announces with a grateful smile. “Just don’t tell your mom or I’ll deny it.”

I smile as Javi starts to pull off his apron. Robbie doesn’t leave with him though, as Javi heads toward the door. “I’d like to stay, if that’s okay. And finish up. Not in the mood to go home.”

“Well, I have a hot date so I’m outta here,” Javi announces and he’s smiling bigger than I think I’ve ever seen him smile.

“Oh yeah? Anyone I know?”

He laughs when I ask that. “It’s Ocean Pines. Of course, it’s someone you know.”

I’m about to ask him who, specifically, but there’s a knock on the door. I look past Robbie and Javi and find Abbott looking back at me. “Jesus. Not tonight.”

I know my words sound particularly grumpy, but Abbott’s earned it. Javi unlocks the door and lets Abbott in. “Kitchen’s closed,” I tell him and turn to Robbie. “If you really want to keep working, then get to it. I’ll handle the take-out window. You mop.”

Robbie nods and heads into the kitchen to grab his supplies. Javi waves as he leaves and Abbott steps inside and lets the door close behind Javi. I notice, out of the corner of my eye because I’m trying to ignore him, that he and Javi exchanged an odd glance. “I’m not here for food.”

“Abbott, I just worked back-to-back shifts. My back is aching and my feet are killing me so I just can’t tonight,” I tell him honestly. “And Robbie is here so… whatever you have to say, business related or otherwise, will have to wait. I just want to get home and collapse.”

“Yeah. I get that,” Abbott says. “But I wanted to know if you saw my press conference.”

“I saw it, but even if I didn’t, I would know about it,” I tell

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