She got up from the chair and headed to the bathroom to take a shower before Harper picked her up. She’d never been a knockout before in her life.
Maybe it’s time I became one.
Meow...
Anita stopped in front of the bathroom door and shot a glare at the ceiling. “Peanut!”
***
“You’re looking handsome today.”
Tanner tucked the back of his white shirt into his black pants and smiled at his mother. “You’re biased.”
“Yes, but I’m also honest.” She walked over to him, wearing her bottling-plant uniform. When he’d found out she had picked up a shift tonight, he’d tried to get her to call in. Of course she balked. Now he was getting ready for Harper’s party and she was leaving to work her second shift. “I still think you should call in,” he said, pulling at the cuffs of his dress shirt.
“I refuse to lie to my employer.”
“Then tell him you need a rest. You won’t be lying about that.”
She shook her head. “You’re stubborn.”
“Wonder where I got that from.” He grinned.
“I have no idea.” She smiled back and picked up her purse off the kitchen table. “Don’t wait up for me.”
“Don’t wait up for me either.”
“I can’t make any promises.” She waved to him and left.
Tanner heard her car start up and sighed, wishing she would listen to him for once. He picked up the black belt he’d draped over one of the kitchen chairs and put it on. This wasn’t his typical catering uniform. Usually he wore a red polo shirt with the diner logo on the left front, but last night when he’d called Harper to finalize everything for the party, she had insisted he dress up. “Just make sure whatever you wear is white, black, or both. I don’t want anyone clashing with my theme.”
He didn’t think red clashed with black and white, but she was the client, and for the next few hours she was his boss.
He stuck his wallet into the back pocket of his pants and grabbed his keys and phone. Before heading for LakeHamilton, he would stop by the diner and pick up the food he’d prepared and packed last night, making sure to grab his black apron while he was there.
Buzz... buzz...
The cell vibrated in his hand, and he slid his thumb over the screen. “Hey, Bailey. You ready for tonight?”
“Tanner, I’m so sorry. I can’t help you with the party.”
He stilled, hearing fear in her voice. “Are you okay?”
“My sister just called. One of my nephews fell off the playground equipment at the park, and she needs me to watch her other two kids while she’s at the ER with him.”
“Is he all right?”
“I don’t know.”
“Don’t worry about it. Text me later and let me know how your nephew is.”
“Will do,” she said, sounding a tiny bit calmer. “Thanks.”
He hung up, unsure what to do. He hoped Bailey’s nephew would be okay, but now he was in a jam. He couldn’t cater the party by himself, not unless he wanted to come off as incompetent—the last thing he needed when he was trying to attract new clientele.
Mabel. Maybe she could help him out. He had every diner employee’s number in his contacts, and he quickly found hers and pressed Call. She hadn’t catered with him before, but he could get her up to speed.
“I’m sorry, Tanner,” she said after he explained his predicament. “It’s bingo and brats at the VFW tonight. I’m calling the numbers.”
