“Boyfriend?” I ask, making small talk.
She waves me off, then puts her phone away. “No, a guy from this dating app I’m on.”
I blink a few times, unsure how to reply. “Cool.”
Butterflies perform acrobatics in my stomach as I make every effort to take in Mel’s instructions on the details of my job. Cameron was right. It doesn’t seem too complicated, and I try to remember table numbers and the menu.
Apart from Cameron watching my every move, my first shift is a blur of friendly faces and the delicious aroma of food wafting through the restaurant. Once the last patron leaves, I help clean the tables and then grab my bag. Cameron leans against the wall close to me, making me take a small step back.
His eyes flick over me before he says, “How was your first shift?”
“Good, thank you.”
He smiles. “I’ll see you tomorrow at the same time. Can you also work the evening shift tomorrow?”
More shifts, more money. “I sure can. I live with Lucy and the girls. Jeremy said he’ll see you tonight.”
Cameron’s brows lift. “You live with Lucy?”
I nod.
“Looks like we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other. Are you coming out to the diner too?” he asks.
I’m not sure how I feel about seeing my boss at my house. “Early night for me tonight. Have fun though.”
I follow Mel outside and glance around one last time. “Are there any other staff members I haven’t met yet?”
“Only a couple of girls that do casual shifts,” Mel answers.
At my last restaurant there was both waiters and waitresses. “Aren’t there any waiters?”
She opens the door and we walk out. She flashes me a smile. “You noticed that, huh? Cameron reckons women bring in more customers—therefore, more money—but I think he just likes to perve on us. I saw Cameron’s got his eye on you.”
A sense of unease twists knots inside of me, despite my attempts to stay optimistic. I don’t want any special attention. I want to do what I do best—blend into the background. My introverted self doesn’t enjoy going out to socialize. I’m happy being at home reading a book.
A loud rumble makes me jerk, and I pivot to the sound of motorcycles passing us. I count seven black bikes that, even for a person who knows nothing about bikes, look high-end. Their black and chrome parts shine in the sun. The men driving them, who are wearing matching vests, seem scary.
“That’s the War Brothers MC,” Mel says after they pass us. “They’re the hottest men in town.” She lets out a long sigh. “What I wouldn’t do to become a sweet butt.”
I turn around to face her. “What’s a sweet butt?”
“The women who are allowed to live there with the men. They help at the clubhouse doing cleaning and cooking, but they’re in it for the sex and to live there rent-free. I’m so jealous!”
I’m disturbed by that revelation and realize I grew up very sheltered.
Her phone pings, and she pulls it out and smiles. Her eyes return to mine. “Do you have a boyfriend?”
“No.” Henry and I are just friends now. He has always treated me well, but our connection seemed more like a friendship than a romantic relationship.
“Have you thought about setting up a profile on a dating app?” she asks enthusiastically.
I shake my head. “I recently got out of a relationship. I’m not interested. Anyway, aren’t the guys on them only after sex and hooking up?”
“No, you can put what you’re after on your profile. Everyone’s rich here. You have to agree that it would be lovely to go out and be wined and dined for a night. It’s whatever you want it to be.”
I shrug. “It doesn’t interest me.” I just moved here. I have next to no experience with guys and the thought sends my heart racing.
She tilts her head. “You’re weird, you know that?”
