“That seems to be the impression Cecily got.”
He manages to tear his eyes away from the twins. “I gave her the facts, that’s all. If you’re upset we’re not working together tonight, don’t worry; sounds like you’ve got a long way to go before Cecily turns you loose with your own tables.” Hesmirks and walks away while I stare after him, wishing he’d trip and fall flat on his face.
It’s another busy night, and I put Reeve out of my mind until work is over, when Lori stops me on my way out to gush about Reeve. I tolerate it briefly before telling her I need to get home. Doesn’t anyone else see what a jerk the guy is?
The parking lot is quiet except for someone muttering a string of curse words. Reeve. He’s leaning over the open hood of his Bronco, forearms bare where he’s rolled up the sleeves of his collared shirt. His tie is gone, and the buttons just below his throat are undone, offering a glimpse of smooth skin. I let myself leer for a few seconds.
He stands up and drops the hood of the car down with a hearty “Fuck!” before noticing me. I’ve never seen him scowl before.
“Car acting up?” I ask.
“Clearly.”
“So call a tow.”
“It’s fine,” he says without glancing my way. “I can get her going tomorrow morning.” Then, like he’s just realized I might be useful, he looks at me. “Hey, can I bum a ride back to campus?”
“I love how you assume I have no plans other than heading back home.”
“Yeah, like you’re going anywhere dressed like that.”
“Don’t tell me you don’t have a few hundred girls who would drop everything to zoom over here and give you a ride.”
He comes toward me. “I won’t. Don’t tell me you’re really going to make me wait here for a ride when we’re going the same way.”
“No girl has ever made you wait before?”
He’s in front of me now. Behind him, the parking lot floodlights cast a halo around his head, but his featuresremain in shadow. “No. And something tells me you’re not going to be the first.”
I’ve never noticed his scent until now. Even after a whole night in the restaurant, he smells fresh and distinctly male. And even though we’ve stood close like this a dozen times in the restaurant, out here in the empty parking lot, it feels too close.
“Whatever,” I say, turning toward my car. “Let’s go.”
As soon as I start the engine, he changes the radio station without asking, then decides to ask invasive questions. “So you pretty much hate working at Somerset, yeah? What’s the deal with that?”
“I don’t hate it.” I drop my water bottle into the cup holder, where it crunches unpleasantly on something—the earrings I’d removed before my shift the night Reeve started at Somerset. I move the bottle to the other cup holder.
“Really? You’ve been all cranky and shit since I started there.”
“Yes, sinceyoustarted there.”
“Seriously?” He turns in his seat to look at me. “You hate me working there that much?”
Guilt flushes through me. “I’ve been working there for months and asking for a server position since day one. Meanwhile all you have to do is smile and you get the job because you’re a celebrity in this town.”
“That’s not why.”
“Okay, not a celebrity but people know you.”
“No, that’s not what I meant. I got the job because Cam’s mom knows the owner. I wasn’t disagreeing with the celebrity part.”
I shake my head. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Heard that one before. Usually, though, the girl is naked and out of breath when she says it.” He flashes that cocky smile while I stare, mouth open, until I realize I’m endangering bothour lives and turn back to the road. God, he is infuriating for so many reasons, not the least of which is how hot he looks when he’s being a completely misogynistic asshole.
I blink and turn away. “So is that how you managed to steal my server position away from me? Cam’s mom pulled some strings? God, that’s such bullshit.”
“I have some experience. I was a waiter back in high school. I just wasn’t allowed to pour wine.” He gives me a sidelong look that’s ripe with humor.
