The entrance door opened. She turned as a customer walked in and while I was jealous at her engaging smile, I couldn’t help noticing one distinct difference. Where Krisha had a slight gap between her front teeth, this woman’s lips parted to reveal a row of perfect white teeth.
I sat back in my seat and sipped my coffee. “You’re not my wife, are you,” I whispered above the rim of my cup. Probably. But gaps in the teeth are easily fixed, a part of me argued. Take a walk, Trent. Another part of me urged. Maybe I just needed a break from overthinking a situation that had a possible explanation. Only, I had no one to ask.
“Back again, I see. Our food must be really good.” Tia offered me a small smile as I slid into a seat two hours later.
“Would my return visits now warrant a meeting with the chef?” I’d been there so often, I should take up residence if they’d allow me.
She laughed. “You don’t give up, do you?”
I shook my head. “Not when I want something badly.”
Her brows pinched together in a frown. “I hope you don’t plan on taking this obsession outside the restaurant?”
“You make me sound like a stalker.”
“If the shoe fits.”
I sighed. “No threat intended. I’m just a curious person.”
She seemed to contemplate my words for a moment then shrugged. “Okay, what will it be?”
“A coffee for starters.” Despite the delicious aroma wafting from the kitchen every time someone pushed open the swing doors, I couldn’t think of food. I was hellbent on getting information about their chef. “What about her name then?” I tried before Tia turned away.
She smiled. “Her name is Rika.”
I hid my disappointment, unsure why I expected to hear the name I wanted. “Rika?” Tia was gone before I could ask anything further. Was I living in some stupid time warp?
Ashrika
“HEY, RIKA, I NEED YOURhelp, please.”
I glanced up from the finishing touches of the pecan pie as one of the servers, pushed through the swing doors, her hands piled high with dirty dishes. “What’s up, Leah?”
“We’re kind of swamped out there. Tia hasn’t returned from the market and Nina called in sick. We need help if you can spare the hands.”
“Whose tables?”
