The kitchen closed at midnight, and although they were cutting it close, the chef still made it do what it do. The French toast was fluffy, stuffed with cream cheese and your choice of fruit compote on top. Amil made sure that at Sullivan’s, you had the overall diner experience, but elevated. The food was consistent whether you came in at 8 a.m. when it opened or just before closing. Ingredients were fresh and cooked to perfection.
“You too. And thanks again.” The women waved and left out.
“Alright, y’all. It’s time for me to head out too,” Chef Bee said, walking out front, dressed in her street clothes. She was also a Sullivan.
“Night, Bee,” Aura said from where he sat at the back of the diner. “Love you. Text me when you make it home.”
“Okay.” She hugged me and whispered, “My cousin so crazy ‘bout you.”
“Girl, good night.” I giggled and pushed the door open to let her out.
Locking it behind her, I flipped the sign from open to closed. Turning, I found Aura walking in my direction. The man had really spent the whole day at the diner with me. He didn’t hover or interrupt as promised, just stayed present, watching from a distance. I’d never met a man so enthralled with me. No one had ever wanted to be in my presence as much as Aura did. And honestly, I was soaking it all in.
“You worked yo’ ass off today,” he said.
“I work my ass off every day,” I corrected. “I can’t believe you spent your whole day here. A businessman like yourself ain’t have nothing better to do?” I grinned, leaning against the booth, while he stood across from me.
“I couldn’t think of anything better to do today than to watch you. Plus, when you’re the boss, the money is wherever you are, so I made money while watching you. I think the day went pretty well.”
“And who am I to argue a valid point?”
He smirked. “What else you gotta do before you head out?”
I cocked my head to the side. “You mean what elsewegotta do? Since you’re here, I could use your help. Two heads are better than one.”
His lips curled into a smile. “You know, when I think about head, that phrase never comes to mind.”
“Oh, my God.” I picked the checkbook up front the table and hit him with it. “Shut up, nasty. The faster you help me, the faster we can go. Can you put the chairs up on the tables, so maintenance can come in and do their thing?”
“I can do whatever you want me to if you let me put my lips on yours.”
“Okay,” I agreed without pressure. I could tell it shocked him. But he made it easy to give in tonight just by keeping his word.
Stepping forward, he reached out and pulled me to him. It was quick. Possessive in a way. I liked it. He lifted my head with his finger and kissed my lips twice.
“I like that glossy shit,” he said, smiling and kissing me again. When he ran his nose along my bottom lip, I giggled. “Coconut.” He picked up on the scent then kissed me a fourth time.
A wide grin spread across my face, and goosebumps crept up the back of my neck. This was the kind of flirty, goofy, loving attention I’d longed for in previous relationships. Most men didn’t display this kind of adoration. Aura, on the other hand, didn’t hide it.
“You just want me to put the chairs up?” he asked once he’d gotten his fix.
“Yes, please. You can start at the back. I’m gonna run the register, and we can head out after.”
“Aight.” Slowly releasing me, he stepped back and got to work.
We caught a groove in the silence – me counting, him putting up the chairs. It didn’t take long for him to complete the task since the diner only had a few two and four top tables. Once he was done, he sat down at the counter, while I finished noting the day’s earnings.
“You still thinking about doing the Airbnb hosting?”
I nodded. “Yeah. I’ve researched a few neighborhoods, pricing, and properties to see what will make the most profit. I’m not as diligent as I could be, but I’m gonna change that.”
“What’s stopping you from being diligent?”
“Money.” I giggled like that wasn’t obvious. “And the fact that I want what I want. And that requires more money than I have right now for the areas I’m looking to rent in.”
“Money is easily attainable,” he said.
“Says the boss.”
