Denver clears his throat. “Wonder Buns? Wow, coming from the girl whose name isNo. You should watch it.”
“My name is Kai, in case you missed Noa snarling it like an angry cat earlier. Not ‘No.’ I just say that a lot. It’s a good thing to keep in mind,” I say with a wink, then smile and wave with my fingers as I leave him standing on full display.
Chapter Seven
Denver
My first thought while standing out in the middle of a restaurant nearly naked is what Aya would think if she saw me right now. She’s not old enough to understand that people will go to extreme efforts for money sometimes, but after being called her “hero” since she was old enough to speak, I feel like I’m undoing everything good I’ve ever done by flashing my goods around in hopes of tips. This isn’t me. Though, I suppose I’d look similar on a European beach, as Noa nicely put it.
It all comes down to money, though. I need to give that little girl everything she deserves. It was the reason for my optional discharge from the Marines. It’s all about her, but I’m torn on what defines success here.
“Bro, are you the new guy?” someone shouts from across the restaurant.
That would be me. I scan the area, looking for who’s shouting, but it’s hard to miss him. I didn’t think it was possible, but his shorts might be tighter than mine, and that thing ain’t real.
I give him a nod to acknowledge I heard him as I head in his direction. “Yeah, I’m the new guy,” I say, shooting out my hand to shake his.
With a firm shake, a smile, and waves to the table of women in front of him. “Denver, right?” he asks.
“Yeah, I’m Denver.”
“Ladies, this is Denver. He’ll be your waiter for this evening. As I mentioned on the way in, I’m Danko, and we’re here to make sure you have a great night, so here are a few menus.” Danko hands the middle-age women enough menus to go around the table. He turns around and grabs a basket of peanuts from the table behind me, and I already know how this is going to go. “Is anyone allergic to peanuts?”
Seriously? Lame. “Because if you are, we’re not racist here, and we can find something else for you to munch on instead,” I add in. How the hell can you wear speedo shorts and not at least make jokes while doing so? Otherwise, what’s the point?
“Wooooooot! My man has a sense of humor. You are in for a treat tonight. Just make sure you stick around for the eight o’clock, mid-evening entertainment,” Danko adds in before slapping me on the back and walking away.
Mid-evening entertainment. They better have separate help for that shit.
“No one is allergic to nuts at this table,” the red-headed tourist says. “But do you know if they’re the salty kind?”
“I do believe these are the salty kind, miss. It’s the best treat to develop a thirst. Am I right?” A round of giggles echoes around the semi-circle table. “I’ll be back in just a moment to take your drink order.”
I head toward the bar to find out what’s on tap and if there are any specials, since I’ve had zero training or any type of introduction, and I’m a little scared to go back into the locker room for the moment. As I approach the bar, I notice a woman bartending, which I find particularly odd for this type of restaurant, though I’m guessing if she filled out an application, Noa couldn’t discriminate either. Laws and such. “Hey, uh—”
“New guy, right?” she asks.
“Denver,” I say, reaching my hand out.
“Lani,” she replies, taking my hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“I’m just wondering if you can tell me what’s on tap and if we have any specials. Noa didn’t quite fill me in yet.” I’m looking over the bar at the taps, trying to see what’s available, but she quickly sputters them out in alphabetical order and hands me a drink special menu. I jot down the beers and copy the list of specials.
“Thanks for writing them down. It makes my job easier than having to repeat myself twenty times in one shift.”
Sounds like Noa has some winners working here, or that’s why this position was open. Either way, efficiency is always better. “No one likes a pest,” I tell her.
“Exactly.” She places a few drinks up on the bar. “Would you mind taking these to the VIP table over there in the corner?”
I look over my shoulder at the ‘VIP’ table, spotting the hotel staff I recognize from earlier today … Kai and all. Fucking fabulous. “Sure thing, Lani.”
“Denver,” she says before turning away with the drinks. “Thanks for not being a douche. You’re the first one not to say something stupid within five minutes of working here.”
I feel like her comment should shock me, but it doesn’t. Any guy who volunteers for this position is looking for ass, plain and simple. “My pleasure.”
This is going to suck. This is going to suck. This is going to suck.
Lani dropped a slip with the drinks so I know what’s what. If I just stick to the job, maybe I won’t get any comments. “I have two Bottom Barrel Stouts, a Rear Peach Mojito, and a Rump Punch.” Whoever named the drinks has a sense of humor at least.
