SEAN
Sean watched the door swing shut behind Nicole. He ran a hand through his dark brown hair and sighed. Had he come on too strong? Maybe he’d read her wrong. He replayed their conversation in his head as he started to break down the buffet. He’d loved the way the tip of Nichole’s tongue had peeked out as her grin turned into a laugh. And her lips, they were just perfect for kissing. He loaded the trays and was happy to see everything from the bacon to the farmer’s hash was gone. “Sean, my boy,” he said to himself, “adding brunch service was a brilliant idea.”
“Ahem,” said a voice behind him.
Sean started and turned around, “Mable, how can I help?”
Mable, who worked as a hostess while attending graduate school, smirked, “I hope I’m not interrupting, but Charlie called off.”
Sean’s mouth made a straight line, all the mirth gone. “Damn it,” he spat.
“I’m sorry Mable, I shouldn’t talk like that in front of you.”
Mable waved a hand. “Oh, please I’ve heard-heck-I’ve said much worse than that. Remember the time I dropped a whole tray of fresh croissants?”
“Still, I try not to swear at work, and even though you are one of my many step cousins, I try to keep it professional. You get what I’m saying, right?”
“No worries, I get it, and I’m not even sure if step cousins are a thing. Whatever the case, I consider you family. That being said, I have enough trouble keeping track of my own brothers and sisters. Do you really want to be considered part of my family?”
“Mable, I know how much you help your parents out with your younger siblings. Don’t sell yourself short. I’m so glad you consider me family.” Sean checked the time on his watch. “Well, guess I won’t be able to sneak in a nap this afternoon.”
“Sorry boss, but at least we don’t have dinner service tonight.”
“True, thank goodness we have a fixed menu for the wedding shower. Of course, when you get up at five o'clock to prep brunch, a day ending by eight instead of eleven is still pretty brutal. But you know me, is there anywhere else I’d rather be?”
“Nope,” she replied and began pushing the cart of dirty pans into the kitchen, her high blonde ponytail swishing as she walked.
Sean walked over to the coffee urn and made himself a cup of coffee. If he was going to make it through the rest of the day, he was going to need all the caffeine he could get. He took his cup out to the restaurant’s patio. He pulled a chair over to the large rectangle fire pit that was the centerpiece of the cobblestone patio and propped up his feet.
It was hot today but soon temperatures would be in the fifties on a regular basis. He made a note to add creamy wild rice soup and his Grandma’s chicken & dumpling soup back on to the menu. Thinking of soup reminded him he needed to reach outto his best friend Jasper Kane, owner of Hop’s Heaven Marley Creek’s Craft Brewery.
Sean took out his phone and opened his contacts. He scrolled down to Jasper Kane and pressed send. Then he waited for Jasper to pick up. As the phone rang, his thoughts wandered back to Nicole. He wondered if she ever went by Nicki, and what it would feel like to wrap her up in his arms. He’d been certain she was interested in him. Maybe he was a little more drawn to her than she was to him, but darn it, he knew a flirty vibe. Why had she said no? It was just an afternoon date for coffee. No pressure. Maybe he’d run it past Jasper and get his feedback.
It had been a minute since Sean had dated someone. Starting up Jesse’s Pub had been and continued to be something that consumed virtually all his waking hours. If you counted all the nightmares he had involving wrong orders, spoiled food or coming to work without his pants on, then it would be safe to say all his time had been devoted to Jesse’s over the last two years. If he was being honest with himself, he wasn't entirely sure he should date right now, but there was something about Nicole that drew him to her. Maybe dating had changed more than he knew, and he’d gone about asking Nicole out completely wrong. He didn’t think so, but he might as well ask Jasper.
“Lo,” Jasper answered the phone, startling Sean.
“Hey buddy, you got a minute?"
“Ya, sure. Hang on a sec."
“Am I on speakerphone?”
“Maybe? And so? It’s two in the afternoon on a Sunday. We’re practically empty,” Jasper explained.
Sean laughed, “Dude, I don’t care. No one wants to hear someone on speakerphone, and I don’t want any of the gossips that hang out at your place talking about me.”
“Hold on, one sec.”
Sean could hear a door shut.
“Okay, I’m in my office now. I can’t wait to hear what’s so important you don’t want anyone overhearing this convo.”
“I can tell I’m still on speaker,” Sean pointed out.
Jasper sighed loudly, “I’m in my office. The door is shut, so no one can hear you.”
“Jasper, c’mon.”
