She brings out coffees for the Parkers and tea for me. It’s prepared just how I like it. She was paying attention.
It isn’t long before she arrives with our breakfast. “I brought you each my current favorite,” she said, setting a bowl in front of each of us. “It’s grits with scrambled eggs, and a sweet potato, bacon, and kale hash. And a bowl of bread,” she adds, setting a bowl of cloth-wrapped bread in the center of the table.
Mrs. Parker peels back the cloth. “Biscuits and muffins!”
“Yep,” Ivy says with a grin.
“Are they blueberry?” Mr. Parker asks.
“They are. We have other flavors at times, but these are a staple.”
Mr. Parker grins. “I love blueberry muffins.”
“I love this place. I haven’t eaten a bite, but I already love it,” Mrs. Parker says, picking up her fork.
The look on Ivy’s face is so pleased, so ecstatically happy. She loves what she has done here, and now I can fully understand why she didn’t want to leave it.
“I love it too,” I say. “This place is amazing. Is it odd to say that I’m proud of you?”
She grins and bends to kiss my cheek. “Nope.” She straightens. “I wanna see you try your grits before I get back to work.”
“It’s a bit scary to try something with an audience,” I say,then push my eggs aside to get to the grits underneath. I watch Ivy as I bring my fork to my mouth, her clear green eyes never leave mine as I take my bite.
Delicious. Smooth and creamy. Just the right amount of saltiness.
“I had no idea what I was missing.”
A grin spread across Ivy’s face. “I knew you’d like them!” Her response is loud, drawing the attention of everyone nearby. The Parker’s laugh.
“This is all absolutely delicious,” Mrs. Parker says, using her fork to point to her bowl.
Mr. Parker nods as he takes a second bite of his muffin.
“Thank you,” Ivy says. “I’m so happy y'all are here.” She eyes me particularly, and I swear, my heart sprouts wings and floats around in my chest.
She goes back to work, and I see her moving through the kitchen three times before she’s out again, winking at me as she passes our table. I see her four times before she is out again, and squeezes my shoulder as she passes by. I’m staring toward the kitchen when Mrs. Parker clears her throat.
“I think we’ve sat here long enough. There are people waiting.”
I look over my shoulder and, sure enough, the restaurant is full and there are several people waiting around the hostess stand near the door.
I give Mr. Parker my credit card. “I’m sure Ivy won’t let us pay, but I want to. Will you take care of it while I tell her goodbye?”
He salutes, and I take off toward the kitchen with a smile.
46
Ivy
I’mscatteringgrilledpepperson top of a bowl when the kitchen goes silent. Alex must have stepped in here. The staff have been beside themselves all morning. I was afraid it would negatively affect our efficiency, but if anything, it’s helped.
Alex’s arms wrap around me before I have the chance to turn. I set down the food, take off my gloves, and back us up from the food prep area. He places a kiss on my neck and holds me tighter.
“When will you finish up here?” he asks, nuzzling into the side of my face.
“We close at two, and I’ll likely be finished by three.”
“Can I pick you up then and take you somewhere to rubyour feet, and feed you?” He turns me around to face him, keeping his arms firmly around me. “And kiss you like I really want to.”
