Claire blinked at her, looking confused. “Owen?”
“Hey, you know. The boss.”
“Oh, Mr. Walsh. No, it’s not weird. Showing up during the dinner service and lingering in the dining room isn’t something that he usually does. It’s a recent thing for him. Just in the last couple of weeks.”
Since I started?
No, that had to be a coincidence. Why would her presence influence his behavior in any way?
“I guess he wants to make sure things are going smoothly,” Ruby said.
Claire shrugged. “I don’t know why he’s been around more. The restaurant is just a front, anyway.”
“What? What does that mean?”
“Just that men like Mr, Walsh and his associates have better ways than this of making big money. They just don’t need anyone asking questions about it.”
Ruby’s brow furrowed. “You’re saying that he’s a criminal?”
“I’m saying don’t ask questions.”
Claire had to go check on a table, so she left after that, leaving Ruby staring after her in shock.
* * *
The next night, there was a black BMW parked in the lot behind the restaurant when she arrived. There was really no reason for her to think it belonged to Owen, but her heart fluttered anyway, making her feel silly.
Was she really that smitten with the man after just one kiss?
Apparently, the answer was yes, because she could feel her mood shifting to something brighter as she walked inside, hoping to see him tonight. She headed for the timeclock, but as soon as she grabbed her timecard, Stevie approached, looking apologetic.
“Don’t clock in.”
“Why?” Ruby asked.
“I scheduled too many people tonight. I hate to do this, but since you’re the newest employee-”
“I’m getting cut.”
“Don’t worry, we’ve got a prime rib special this weekend. We’ll be slammed, and I’m sure you’ll get enough tips to more than make up for missing tonight.”
“It’s fine. I’ll head home and get caught up on my reality TV binge watching.”
“Really?”
Ruby chuckled. “It’s my guilty pleasure, and I won’t be shamed for it.”
Stevie raised her hands in a gesture of surrender. “No shame here. But can you do me a favor before you go? Owen wanted a plate of food delivered to his office. Could you drop it off?”
“Sure.”
Heading into the kitchen, she grabbed a plate with Irish stew and soda bread. She felt strange going up those stairs again, her entire body was a live wire, thrumming with desire as she recalled the feeling of his mouth on hers and his hands gripping her hips.
She wanted so much more that night, but she made herself pull away. She was freaking out about what would happen if she gave in to what she wanted. But ever since, she’d regretted it. Did she miss the possibility of something great by ending their kiss too soon?
She shook her head at herself as she reached the closed door at the top of the stairs.
He’s still your boss. It’s a bad idea.
