Damn. I think he won that one.
I’m finished with men when it comes to relationships, but clearly, I still want them for one particular function. Which is funny considering my rechargeable boyfriends at home have multi-functional capabilities. But switching up settings that probably spell out mystery words in morse code just isn’t enough anymore. They can’t bend me over or pull my hair. Maybe I should give Lee one more go. Or maybe I should get moving and stop sitting in my truck thinking about this.
He doesn’t pull away until after I do, tailing me down the street, and for a moment, I wonder if he’s going to follow me all the way home. Instead, he gives a short beep of his horn as I turn onto my road and continues on his way. I’m not sure whether to be relieved or disappointed.
It’s been a long day and I’m glad to be home. Goblin rushes over to me, meowing as if she hasn’t been fed in days when I know damn well there will still be food in her bowl. She takes it as a personal affront if the bottom of the bowl is ever visible. “I know, I’m late.”
So many late nights recently and more to go. After feeding her, I open my mail to find the paperwork from my new home equity loan. I worked hard and paid off my home in ten years so applying for it was a difficult decision to make, but there was no other choice if I wanted to afford the renovations and upgrades to the diner. The payments are reasonable,and if things go to plan, I’ll have it paid off in a couple of years.
I’m too tired to watch TV or read so I take a quick shower and head straight to bed. My last thought is of Lee’s scorching kiss, and it follows me into some very satisfying dreams.
I wake to two texts from Will, one of the grill cooks.
Will
The truck didn’t come this morning. We’re going to run out of hamburger meat by dinner rush.
Also the back grill isn’t working.
Fantastic. Good morning to me. Goblin bops her head on my forehead and lies down on my chest as I pet her. As tempting as it is to lie there for an hour or three, I give myself ten minutes before getting my ass moving.
It’s the middle of the lull between breakfast and lunch when I arrive at the diner. Nina, one of the waitresses, gives me a nod and a smile, then goes back to chatting with a table of old men who often spend half the afternoon here, sipping coffee.
They’ve finally stopped asking how I’m doing and giving condolences for my mom’s death. I appreciated it, but it makes it hard to move on. For months, every day I stepped into the diner, I’d have to talk about her. It’s no surprise since she owned and managed this place since I was a baby. While I’m happy and proud to be the new owner, I miss her terribly.
With her gone, the employees turn to me for everything,despite the fact I recently hired a perfectly capable general manager with years of experience. As much as I’m tempted to give them all a talking to about that, it’s better to let her assert herself with them. Camille has been a godsend. When I found out Mac’s Burgers was closing after thirty years, I paid a little visit the last week they were open. It didn’t take me long to realize she was the life of the place and the best person to replace me as general manager while I assumed more of the owner’s responsibilities.
Camille is in the freezer, checking expiration dates and rotating stock. “Hi, I thought you weren’t in until this afternoon,” she says.
“Just popping in. I’m going to run and get the painting supplies I need. Did you see they put the floors in?”
“I did. They’re gorgeous. You’re going to paint it yourself?” she asks, sliding a box of frozen bacon back on the shelf.
“That’s the plan. I’m hoping the smell won’t be too overpowering if we let it air out for a few days.”
She nods and we escape the chill of the freezer to the steamy kitchen as she tells me, “Misty called off for tonight. Her baby has a fever. Do you want me to call in someone to cover her shift?”
“I’ll handle it.” Charlotte and Misty are part of the late shift that make the donuts. “Did Will tell you we’re low on ground beef for dinner?”
Her head whips around. “I ordered it.”
“The truck didn’t show up last night.”
“Well shit,” she says, making a beeline for the cooler to see what we have. “Nobody said anything.”
“Did he mention there’s an issue with the back grill?”
Her expression is pure exasperation. “No, he did not. I’ll take care of it.”
“Go tear him a new one,” I chuckle. “And let me know if the beef doesn’t show by four. I’ll swing by the store to get enough for the dinner rush.”
While she goes to remind Will that she’s the new manager and to quit going over her head, I slip into the new addition I’ve had built. It was surprising how quickly it was completed. For years, I tried to convince Mom to add specialty coffees to our menu. We’re a small town with no chain coffee shops. The only coffee place in town is run by an old couple who plan to retire and close it by the end of the year.
It was a gamble but instead of trying to add a few coffee options to our menu, I decided to add on a coffee house. We’ve always served donuts but now instead of them being tucked away into a small corner case, they’ll be moved to this nice space along with the full coffee bar. We’ll be the only place in town offering flavored iced and frozen coffees. I’m confident it’ll do well, especially with the younger crowd.
The furniture has already been delivered. The tables, wooden chairs, bar stools, and couches wait in a storage trailer behind the restaurant. My plan is to open by next week, but we’ll see. Camille is on the phone with our supplier when I return to the office to grab the deposit that needs to be dropped off at the bank.
“And I needyouto understand that if we don’t have it here by three, you’re going to have a problem with me. Do you want a problem with me, Henry?”
