“You’ve got it bad for lover boy at table seven.” He hands me a coffee refill for another table and leans in. “Don’t look now, but he’s looking this way.”
Completely ignoring him, I turn around to Henry’s gaze meeting mine… again. It’s like a game of eye tag we’re playing. He smiles, points at his plate, and lifts his hand to his lips, giving me a chef's kiss gesture that makes me huff out a breath.
“Maisie! I told you not to look, now he’s caught the town sweetheart and the town gay oogling him.”
“Good looks they are, huh?” I say and we both break into a fit of laughter.
Kevin makes busy days like today bearable. He moved to Ruby Lake when he turned twenty-one and never left. He’s been the head cook for as long as I can remember, he’s like the older brother I never had. He came to all my birthday parties growing up, he babysat me when my mom and grandma needed the help, and even helped me pass my drivers test when I turned sixteen. We may not be blood related but he will always be family.
That’s kind of how Ruby Lake feels. Around here, family’s not about sharing a bloodline. It’s about showing up, again and again, even when you don’t have to.
“I’m gonna go check on them and my other tables.” I grab a refill of Henry’s water and another mug of coffee for Miles.
“More like you’re gonna go check him out.” He chuckles to himself. I’ve never seen someone make themself laugh more than Kevin does.
He’s not wrong though.
I push through the swinging door by the counter with my hip, both drinks in hand. I know I won’t make a move on Henry, I’m on the clock and he’s a paying customer, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting to get to know him more. You don't always get new people here.
Miles and Henry are in a deep conversation when I arrive at the table. “Got some refills for you guys!” I set down another coffee for Miles and an ice water for Henry. “How’s everything tasting?”
This is the first time I really looked into Henry’s eyes up close. They’re a color that is one of a kind—a mix of blue, green and gray. The way he looks at me feels almost magnetic. I watch his gaze move between my own, like he’s examining me the way I am him. I wonder what thoughts are going through his head. Are they the same as mine?
“The Maisie Surprise might just be my favorite thing on the menu.” Henry says, his voice made of velvet. “You might have tomake it a regular item while I’m in town cause I’ll be ordering it every time.”
“Get a room,” Miles interrupts with a mumble and an eye roll. My mouth opens slightly as I stand there awkwardly debating if I should slowly start backing away.
“If that’ll be all then I’ll be back with the bill in just a second!” As I’m walking away from a clearly irritated Miles I hear a faint “What the fuck, dude? Be nice,” come from Henry. It’s subtle but it’s nice knowing Henry, a stranger—an attractive one to say the least—has my back.
Growing up, I didn’t get much attention from boys in school. Most people don’t realize how much of an effect it can have on a pre-teen girl's self esteem. No one asking you to the school dance, no first kiss until you’re graduated… It makes you think you’ll never find love, which isn’t true, but being young and vulnerable that’s just not how your mind works. Add all that on top of not growing up with a father…
I’m printing out the receipts for a few of my tables when my mom rounds the corner. “So don’t be mad at me…”
I take a deep breath and close my eyes, “Mom… what did you do?”
“So as you know in a few weeks it’s my birthday and we’re having a party, right?”
“In like a month or so, yes…” I finally open my eyes in curiosity with a hand on my hip, a move I learned from the woman standing in front of me.
“I invited those boys over there.” She dips her head in the direction of the table I can’t seem to tear my eyes from. “Miles and his cousin.”
“You’re joking.” I want the sink to the floor and never come up.
“I thought it’d be good for Miles to meet some people, business stuff for the Inn. And maybe he can introduce hiscousin to some new faces.” She wiggles her eyebrows. “Maybe a female friend.”
“I’m sure he has enough female friends.” I pull my pen out of my apron and write a few thank you’s on the receipts.
“Oh, so you’re objectifying him based on his good looks.”
“Am not!”
“So, you agree, he’s good looking.” My mom gives me a look that tells me she knows exactly what she's doing
“I didn’t say that.” I roll my eyes, biting the inside of my cheek to stop myself from smiling and letting her win.
“Oh, but you didn’t deny it either.” She winks.
“I can’t win with you!” I let a laugh break out, snatching the last of the printed receipts. “I’m going to give them their check and then go jump in the deep fryer.”
