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“In all your spare time, right?”
“Hey, it can’t always be popcorn and pickles.”
“Amy, you’re kind of making me sick to my stomach.”
“Don’t change the subject, SEAL-boy. Why the Navy, why SEALs?”
“It’s the ultimate ‘doing.’ It’s the ultimate in getting things done and helping. Yeah, a lot of us are adrenaline junkies, don’t get me wrong, but every single one of us wants to do right by our country and we sincerely want to help others. The ones who don’t, they eventually find their way out.”
“Lark said that you all are as close as brothers, is that true?”
“Jerrod, Derek, Luka, and Wiley will always be my brothers, but yeah, in some ways, because of the shit that I’ve been through with the Omega Sky team, our bond is even deeper.” Then he paused, remembering watching Derek toe off his sneakers and dive into the water. “Maybe that’s not quite right. I went through some serious shit with Derek by my side, so that bond is like steel, too.”
“Oh,” Amy cleared her throat. “Now I understand why no college.”
Ryker really appreciated the way she didn’t push for more information about what happened with Derek. He had it right—Amy was definitely worth all the time in the world.
“Okay, I totally understand why you’re still interested in her, except for the lemon cherry soda. For me that might have been a deal breaker,” Zed said with a wince.
“For me, it would have been the peanut butter and pickle sandwiches, but after hearing the ration of shit she was able to shovel back your way, I’d say she was a keeper.”
“So you see my dilemma,” Ryker said as he spread his arms wide.
“How much longer did you talk after that?” Zed asked.
“It went on for months, just like that before she shut me out.”
“I think you need to get to the bottom of things,” Jase told him.
4
“If one more server calls in sick, I’m going to go through the phone and strangle them. I’d say go to their house, but you know damn good and well they’re at the new club that opened up tonight. Everybody’s there. Why aren’t you there?” Amy asked the tall black man in front of her.
“I’ve got VIP tickets for tomorrow, on my night off,” he gave her a slow grin. “Want to go with me and a couple of my friends?”
“Thanks for the thought, but I’ll have to pass, Lawrence.”
“You know, all work and no play makes Amy a very, very boring girl,” he said as he slid by her.
“Makes me a damn good manager though,” she muttered.
“There is that. And when you decide to finally take the plunge, I’ve got a bunch of us lined up to go with you.”
Amy stopped dead in her tracks on her way back to the kitchen. “Lawrence, don’t say that. I know you, you would never leave Noreen and Francois. You love them.”
“That’s a load of crap and you know it. We love you! In the two years you’ve been managing this place you have treated all of us with dignity and respect. You’ve handled every customer problem, and you’ve made sure that Chef Francois never comes out on the floor to cause a ruckus. You’ve been a dream. Before you, this place was a disaster.”
Amy was aghast. Then she watched as Gillian walked by with a full tray and whispered to Lawrence, “Noreen sighting, watch your six.”
“Gotta get back to the bar, Amy. Think about the ticket to Rising Desire, we’d love for you to come tomorrow.”
“I’ll—”
Her phone vibrated, cutting her off. Lawrence shook his head and grinned as she looked at her display. “Hope it’s not Valentina calling in sick, but bet it is,” he sing-songed.
“Leave,” Amy growled as she pointed at Lawrence.
“What is it, Valentina?” Amy bit out. “You better not be telling me you have the Rising Desire flu, because if you do, the next time you come into work will be to clean out your locker.” It wasn’t true, but it sounded good.
