The same host from my last visit, the one who wassuper nice.
He stands at the podium in a crisp long-sleeve white dress shirt, a black bow tie, and a black vest. His golden name tag on his chest reads‘Brandon,’and it suits him. He has fair skin, andthough his nose is slightly crooked and his dark hair is parted in a way that doesn't flatter him, I can't deny that he's not bad looking when he focuses on the podium.
His personality, on the other hand, could use some help, but I’m not one to hold grudges.
There’s no way he’ll recognize me, right? It’s been almost a year, and with the number of people he must see daily, someone like me probably doesn’t even register.
“You again?” His face scrunches up as if he just bit into a lemon, and I feel my mouth fall open in shock.
Or not. Clearly, that had only been wishful thinking.
“Theclubis next door. Please learn to pay attention.” He doesn’t even attempt to hide his sneer, and I feel my cheeks heat in embarrassment.
“N-no, I’m meeting someone here.” I stammer and hate myself for letting him get to me like this. What does his opinion matter?
The door opens behind me, and with it, the host's attention is off of me as he plasters a fake smile on his lips, leaving me to stand here feeling small and silly.
What made me think I deserve to be at a place like this?
Addy pulls her hand from mine, and I turn to call her back, only to find Nathan standing just inside the door. He scoops her up without thought, but his eyes are focused on me as if he can sense my spiraling thoughts.
“Mr. Lawson, your table is ready. The young Master Desmond is already seated. I’ll let Dale know that you’re here as well.”
Nathan ignores him, instead keeping his focus on me.
“Katherine.” I hear the authority in that one word, and I know he wants an explanation, but I can’t bring myself to say the words aloud.
I don’t need to embarrass him any more than I’m sure I already have. The once warm room now feels cold, and I hug myself, trying and failing to stop myself from falling apart.
“Please ignore her; she was simply looking for the club. She won’t be a bother to you, I assure you.” He waves as if he can simply get rid of me with a simple flick of his wrist. I feel the tears as they well in my eyes, but I don’t let them fall. He can say what he wants, but I won’t give him the satisfaction of letting him know he’s gotten to me.
“Excuse me?”
My head snaps up, and I find Alex standing in the doorway behind Nathan. I hadn’t heard him come in. Oliver moves to come in behind him, the door still in the process of falling closed as Alex glares daggers at Brandon.
“Apologies, sir, the girl was simply lost and looking for the club. I’ll handle her. She’s of no concern to you.” This time, I don’t miss the false happiness he pours into every word.
He’s a suck-up.
I wonder how many people he’s treated like dirt beneath his shoes because they aren’t wealthy or important enough in his eyes.
“See, I thought I heard you right, but I figured I’d give you the benefit of the doubt.” Alex moves up beside me, wrapping his arm around me and pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
“Don’t let this jobless asshole’s brainless words hurt your feelings,” he says loud enough for the guy to hear, and I watch him recoil as if Alex had struck him.
“Sir?” He looks from Alex to Nathan and then to Oliver and finally back to me, zeroing in on where Alex’s arm is still wrapped around me.
“Leave with a bit of your dignity and be grateful that‘the girl’would protest me blacklisting you from working in any other restaurant in the city.”
His eyes widen in disbelief before he swallows down whatever excuse or attempt to beg and looks at me again. His eyes narrow, and I know he hates me, but I didn’t do anything, just simplyexisted. Nathan is right that I wouldn’t let him blacklist him; maybe he’ll learn from this.
“Collect your things and never set foot in another Lawson establishment. We’ll mail you your check.” It’s a dismissal if I’ve ever heard one.
The way he glares at me before he turns and disappears into the staff door lets me know this won’t teach him anything at all, and I worry I’ve made yet another enemy.
Great.
“What did I miss?” Vince asks when he finally walks in to find us all gathered here and not at the table.
