His answering grin is wide and bright. His eyes track to Myles, who is leaning toward me on the wooden podium beside us. “Hey.” Gregory waves at Shelby, then steps to the side, and that’s when I notice the second person who came in with him. She’s an older, shorter version of Gregory and has his same dark hair and eyes. I’m about to introduce myself when Myles speaks up.
“Welcome,” he says. “Have a seat wherever you like, and I’ll be with you in just a second.”
Gregory swings his gaze back to me. “Actually, I was hoping Amelia could serve us.”
Myles lifts a brow. He looks at me, and I just smile back, but it feels like all teeth. Technically it’s his turn, but he shrugs. “Sure.”
Shelby jabs an elbow into my ribs.
I try my best to ignore the energy between Myles and Gregory and focus on who I assume is Gregory’s mom. “Come with me. I think the table with the best view just opened up.”
Once they slide into the booth, Gregory gestures across the table. “Amelia, this is my mom. Mom, this is Amelia.”
His mom smiles warmly and says, “It’s nice to finally meet you. I’ve hearda lotof wonderful things about you.”
I dart a look at Gregory. He rolls his eyes as if she’s just trying to embarrass him and it’s not working, but his cheeks stain a faint pink. He looks around the restaurant, which isn’t very busybecause it’s closing in on two o’clock. “Are you allowed to sit with us for a bit?”
“Definitely in a few minutes,” I say. “I’ve got one other table, but they should be finishing up soon.”
Gregory nods, and his mom says, “You’re working, we understand. But I’d love for you to join us if you can.”
I tell her I’ll do my best and ask what they want to drink. After filling their glasses while they both are busy perusing the menu, I retreat back to where Myles has remained at our lunchtime home base. Shelby’s a few feet away at an empty table, rolling silverware into napkins.
“Who’s that?” he asks.
“Gregory McLoughlin.”
“Right, the new guy. From New Mexico.”
“Oh, um. Arizona.”
Myles is adjusting some papers on the host stand, eyes down, and I can’t read his expression. “You know him well, then?”
“Yeah. My dad hired him at the store, so I met him pretty early in the summer.”
He glances over at the table where Gregory and his mom sit, laughing about something. “I think he has a thing for you.”
“Um, no,” I sputter, laughing a little. “Gregory has a thing for teasing me and for being a pain in my ass occasionally, but that’s about it.”
“I’m telling you,” Myles says, “he does.”
I turn to look at Gregory and his mom, and in that moment Gregory catches my eye from across the room. He smiles, but it’s asmall one. A secret one. I swallow, wondering who turned up the temperature in here. I don’t know why, but I try not to smile back at Gregory too widely, since I know Myles is watching. It feels like I’m denying Gregory something, but that’s ridiculous. Why would he care if I smiled at him?
I clear my throat. “I’d better see if they’re ready to order.”
As I head to their table, I peek over my shoulder. Myles quickly turns away, as if embarrassed to be caught watching me go.
My heart thumps a double rhythm. I try to be cool as I approach their table.
“Have we decided?” I ask.
“I’ll take whatever you think is the best,” Gregory says, leaning back in the booth. His mom’s eyebrows shoot up.
I prop a hand on my hip. “Really? You’ll just let me pick for you?”
“Sure. I trust you.”
His mother’s jaw is now hanging open. “My son, who is the pickiest eater I know, is allowing someone else to choose his meal?”
