“No. We have to be front row. It’s Rush McGraw. At the Opry,” the blond says, tapping his finger on one of the papers.
I drop the entrées, a burger and chicken and waffles. Estelle yelled at me on my first day, when I hadn’t brought both entrées at the same time. I wouldn’t make that mistake again. I dart back for a plate of onion rings and a side salad. The scent of the fried, greasy goodness makes me want to weep. I’m used to being hungry. I amnot used to being hungry around food that smells this good all the time.
“What would you do? Floor or balcony?” The blond looks up at me like my opinion matters. I glance at the paper. “Rush McGraw: The Shiny New Penny Tour at the Opry. One Night Only.” There’s a price list with numbers I can’t afford, even if I save for months.
“You’re going to pay to see country music?”
His face falls like I had just kicked his puppy. My face flushes hot.Great, Ash, there goes another table of tips.
“I meant to say, that’s a lot of money to see a concert. Can I get you another soda?” I cringe and correct myself. “Coke, not soda. I’m never going to get this right.”
My brother once told me that I just needed more practice with people.
Be like Reed. You can do this, Ash.
The other beta snorts and flips his brown, shaggy hair out of his eyes. “Girl, don’t worry about it. We’d spot you as a northerner right quick, anyways.”
“But I’m from Florida.”
“Half of Florida is made up of snowbirds and New Yorkers, so same diff.”
“You’re right about that.” I almost laugh.
“So, uh,” the blond taps the flyer on the table, “if we can get tickets, you want to come with us?” His smile is honest. And that makes me nervous.
“I’m not allowed to date.” The words fall out of my mouth before I realize it. “Customers, I mean. I don’t think we can date customers.” God, I sound like such a goober. I turn my head as the bell on the door jingles.
Marilyn blows in with her perfect hair, perfect nails, a ruby red suit dress, and shoes that look like they came right off the runway.She has one of those giant designer bags hanging off the crook of her arm.
She pantomimes with big gestures that she’s going to take a booth. I want to like her. I do like her. For an alpha, she’s not all… alpha-y.
I had almost given up hope. Marilyn canceled on me a bunch of times with some emergency or another. What kind of emergencies did a hockey team have?
I step around Estelle and pull down two coffee cups. She’s leaning with her forearms on the counter and hip cocked. Everything Estelle does looks sexy. Even though she’s a beta, she has the confidence of an omega with a pack of alphas around her. She watches me like a hawk, like she already figured out all the secrets I can’t tell anyone.
I glance back nervously at Marilyn as I fill our mugs. Maybe I should have suggested we meet somewhere else.
“I’m going to take a break if that’s okay.” I arrange the coffee on a tray with a ton of creamers and sugar. The coffee is free for employees, but after just three weeks working here, I still prefer it with a ton of cream and sugar.
“Sure, babe. I got your tables,” Estelle says, drumming her coffin nails on the counter.
I blow out a breath and lick my lips. I should have practiced more. I squeeze my fists to stop them from shaking. I need to stay focused on the goal.
“Ash!” Marilyn’s voice is bright and cheery.
Hearing that name still gives me a little thrill. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to it. It was an accident, really. When I asked about the help wanted sign in the window and Estelle asked me for my name, I stuttered and only got out “Ash” and not “Ash Lynn”. I felt so dumb. I mean, who gets their name wrong? So, I didn’t correct her. Now it’s too late.
But that is going to work for me now. Pierce and Liam knew “Lynn”, the stupid baby sister of the best friend they murdered. But Ash? She’s a grown-up omega.
Marilyn practically purrs as I clatter the mugs to the table and dig out the Sweet’N Low packets from my apron pocket. I slide into the booth across from her, before she can do something insane and go in for a hug or kiss my cheeks.
“Do you want pie or something?” I ask as I rip open five sugars.
“No, dear, I’m fine. But how are you?”
“Oh, fine, you know, just trying to get past it all.” I wave my hand like it’s no big deal.
Marilyn grimaces and ignores her coffee. “I know Timber is a bit much.”
