“We’ll take whatever you’ve got.” Oswald glances between the girls, waiting for one of them to address him.
“We could put them here.” The last girl points at the laminated map.
The first girl looks over her shoulder briefly. “That’s Michele’s section.”
“Yeah, but she has a four top available now.”
“Okay,” blushing girl agrees, while the waitress spins and walks away, dejected.
There’s a strange standoff when we reach the table that’s just a few steps away from the hostess station. All four of us are waiting for the other to sit down, so we end up just looking at each other. “Sit.” Memphis angles himself as close to me as he can get with my crutches, and I back into the high booth with him coming in after me. He hands my crutches to Oswald.
“Smooth move, ace, don’t think I don’t notice you trying to steal my girl.”
“Mine. Put those up,” Memphis instructs, barely even looking at his brother. His declaration makes me think of when I swear I heard him say he loved me in my head. I think it was one of the only times I wished the voices were real.
Bates scoots into the seat across from me, while Oswald leans my crutches against the wall in the lobby before returning to sit down.
The tables are high, so I feel like my boobs are practically sitting on the table. I lean back to make it less obvious. Once we’re all settled, the hostess finally hands the menus out, saving Oswald for last. “Your waitress will be around shortly to take your order.”
“Thanks,” he says without looking up at her. I wonder if he really doesn’t know how flustered he’s making her or if he’s just ignoring it. Once she’s gone, I lean over the table a little, and his eyes are already trained on my boobs. I think about asking him if he noticed her attention, but I’m afraid it’s going to make me seem like I’m jealous, and in this situation, I’m not. I’m curious.
His eyes come up to mine, unapologetic that he was checking out my chest. “What, baby?”
I lean back again, deciding to wait until later to ask if I still want to know. “Nothing,” I answer.
He continues to look at me for a few seconds, waiting to see if I’ll change my mind, but I just start studying the menu, so he drops it.
A woman zooms by but stops short just after passing the table and backtracks. “Hey, guys,” she chirps as she peruses the table. “I’m Michele, and I’ll be your waitress. Can I start you off with anything to drink?” She leans her hip near Oswald, waiting.
“Two waters with lemon,” Memphis says for us.
Bates glances up. “Dr. Pepper for me.”
“Water,no lemon.” He bulges his eyes at me as if I’ve broken some law.
“Great, have you guys been here before?”
“Nope, you?” Oswald asks Bates.
“No.”
“While you’re looking at the menu, I’ll explain how it works.” The waitress leans in even closer to Oswald, pointing at his menu on the table and telling us how the steak comes raw and we cook it ourselves on a lava stone they bring to us. Now all the sizzling and smoke makes a little more sense.
“Make sure not to touch the stone. It’s 755 degrees, but if you slip, I have been known to kiss a boo-boo or two,” she teases, mostly looking at Oswald and Bates, but her eyes dart to Memphis quickly.
“I think we have that part covered. Right, baby? You can be our nurse.” Oswald winks at me. I smile and give him a small, indulgent shake of my head. “That’s a yes in Wavy, she’s just shy,” Oswald explains when he finally looks up at the waitress, his playful smile still in place.
“Can’t say I blame her with the three of you. I’ll go grab those drinks, it will give you time to look over the appetizers and menu.” She saunters away, handling Oswald’s slight rejection in stride.
Oswald leans over the table to whisper once she’s gone. “I can’t believe I have to cook my own food and pay thirty bucks for it.”
“I’m the one who picked it, so it’s my treat. Plus, I passed my test, so you’re looking at a journeyman.”
Oswald shoves Bates’ shoulder after the announcement. “That’s fucking awesome! Why didn’t you tell us sooner?”
Bates shrugs his shoulders. “I just got the email notification today. I haven’t even told Ronny.”
Memphis thrusts his hand out, and Bates clasps it in a firm shake. Their gazes linger with some unspoken words, but it’s clear Memphis is happy for Bates. I congratulate him myself once the brothers are done. I don’t know what being a journeyman entails, but it must be good.
