“It was the only time he could make it in for training.”
I popped my neck, rolling my shoulders as the hostess unlocked the door. “Fine. I’ll train him. Where is he?”
“He’ll be here at noon. If it makes a difference, he’s super cute and will be a doctor soon.” Falina gave me an exaggerated wink, her mouth open and everything.
Jeez. I don’t need a man.
“It doesn’t make a difference,” I told her. The last thing Ineeded was a man in my life, diverting my attention away from Pippa. She only had one parent. I wouldn’t be like my mom and choose a man over my child, not to mention Ciro reemerging in my life yesterday.
Stop thinking about Ciro. He’s gone.
“He’s a nice guy. Funny and handsome. And soon, he’ll be a good provider. Then, you could be a stay-at-home mom. I know that’s your heart’s desire.”
Crap! She already had me marrying this guy.
I swallowed the last of my espresso along with my emotions. Staying home with Pippawasmy heart’s desire, but it wasn’t in the cards for me. It could have been, had Ciro and I worked out. If he hadn’t been such a stubborn asshole.
Why in the hell couldn’t I stop thinking about him? Where had my resolve gone? After months of depression and crying an ocean’s worth of tears, I’d accepted my fate.
How could I let him tear me down in one short conversation?
“Listen, I’m not interested,” I replied to Falina. “I just hope I don’t trip over Jon as I train him.”
“I doubt that’ll happen. The guy is crazy tall, like six-five. Stop being a Crabby Cathy.”
I sighed as I fidgeted with the ties on my apron. “I don’t mean to complain. The baby was up in the middle of the night again. I’m exhausted. I don’t know if I can be patient today.”
“I’ll put a bonus in your paycheck.” She wiggled her brows and adjusted her red-rimmed glasses. She rocked the hipster look.
Me? I looked like a boring, exhausted mom. But I loved the title of Mom and didn’t give a crap about what I looked like. Not anymore, anyway.
“Whatever. Just tell Jon to find me and to keep up.”
“You’re a peach.” Falina dashed off just as the lunch crowd burst through the door. “It’s go time!” She clapped as she entered the kitchen.
An hour later, I hadn’t stopped. A steady wave of customers was typical for West End, and it wouldn’t let up for another couple of hours.
My back pocket vibrated as I placed four water glasses on a tray.Pippa. I whipped out my phone, my heart hammering, but it wasn’t a text. I sighed, releasing the instant worry I always got when my phone vibrated.
Just a notification from an employment site. I got them regularly, letting me know when someone viewed my profile or wanted to be added to my network. Network? I hardly knew anyone and didn’t really care to, but I figured someday one of the sixty-seven people might be helpful. For now, I ignored it and put my phone back in my pocket.
Wait. Was that how Ciro found me? Of course! He really didn’t just stumble into West End.Well, I’ll be damned.
“Train me, Obi-Wan… You’re my last hope.”
I turned toward the deep, pleasant voice. My eyes locked on a broad-shouldered man who should have been dunking basketballs instead of wearing a black server’s apron.
“Is-la?” He squinted, studying my nametag.
I glared into his bright blue eyes as if annoyed. I suspected he was Jon. “No. It’sonlyhope, notlasthope.” I smirked, then felt stupid for knowing he’d quoted the movie wrong. Freaking Ciro and his obsession withStar Wars.“And you are?”
He grinned showing off his perfect white teeth and full lips. “Jon. Your new Jedi in training.”
All I could do was stare at him. Falina was wrong. Jon wasn’t only super cute. He was also super charming.
“Teach me, Obi-Wan. I’m ready,” he said.
“Ha, ha. Cute.” I turned away to add slices of lemon to the glasses of water, and to hide the flush in my cheeks.
