I pocket my phone and head toward the table.
The dishes are still warm when I start clearing them. Plates stacked, glasses gathered, napkins folded. I balance everything on a tray and carry it back toward the bar.
Amber takes one look at my face.“ Uh-oh. That’s your mom face,” she says immediately.
“I do not have a mom face.”
“You absolutely do,” she argues.
Rose glances over from the flowers. “What’s wrong?”
“My sitter is bailing,” I huff. “Again. Goddamn college students.”
Amber doesn’t hesitate. “Then go home early.”
“I can’t just leave you guys.”
Amber shakes her head.“Yes, you can.”
“I hate leaving you to close alone,” I tell her.
Rose raises her hand slightly.
“I can stay.” Her eyes is directed at me. “Then Amber won’t be alone.”
Amber points at her. “See? Teamwork.”
Before I can argue further, Donald walks past again.
“Hey, I’ve got a thing tonight that I really can’t push.” He’s lying through his fucking teeth, but it’s not like we’re not used to it. “You can handle closing, right, Izzy?”
“We’ve got it,” Amber says.
“As always,” Rose adds sweetly.
Donald looks directly at me. “Slacking off again, huh? Lucky that you’ve got people bailing you out.”
I nearly rip his head off. Nearly. I wish I could. But the sad truth is, I need this job more than I need my dignity.
“Hey. Relax. I was joking.” His eyes settles on my face. “You should smile more. You’d look prettier that way.”
I give him the biggest smile I can manage. All teeth.
For a moment he actually looks slightly uncomfortable. Then he scurries away.
Amber bursts out laughing.
Rose nearly chokes on her drink.
I shake my head and pick up another tray.
As I turn back toward the dining room, my gaze drifts automatically toward the mafia table.
And I see him watching me.
Niccolò Neri.
Our eyes meet across the room and my heart slams hard against my ribs.
