Page 12 of Silent Heart

“He’s back. Again,” Jonathan observed.

I took a deep breath and ignored my coworker. There was no need for him to elaborate. I knew exactly who he was talking about. Every night he was here…in my section.

“He must really like thefoodhere. Or maybe it’s theatmosphere,” Jonathan teased, snagging the plates of food from the kitchen window and placing them on his tray.

My cheeks warmed. I glanced at the two-top, where one figure wearing a black tee and blue jeans sat. A local craft beer sat on a cocktail napkin, condensation dripping off the side. A confirmation flashed on the screen letting me know the order of burger and fries was logged with the kitchen. Quickly looking away, I exited out of the order window and checked to make sure the refills for table five were sent to the bar.

“What’s up with that, Harley?” Jonathan pushed.

I snorted. “We’re the only place to eat on the lake.”

“But he sat in your section. Again,” my coworker insisted. “He’s either stalking you or waiting to ask you out. Whichever it is, he’s here for you, Harley.”

Despite the sweat dripping down my back, a shiver rippled down my spine. But I wouldn’t let this snotnosed kid see.

“I’m going to confront him,” Jonathan decided.

I pinched his overworked, all for show, and therefore completely useless bicep. “Jonathan Remvicki, if you so much asdaresay anything inappropriate to a customer, I will end you.”

The smirk on the kid’s face told me I just played into his hand.

Crap.

“You like him,” Jonathan insisted.

Sweeping my hand around, I glared at him. “We have a full house tonight. Don’t you have tables to check on?”

“So what? You’re telling me he hasn’t made a move?”

“There’s nothing going on,” I insisted.

“Buuuttt?” Jonathan drawled. “You want there to be?”

Did I? I faltered. We’d been swimming together regularly, except for the two mornings of rain. But Kole had been a patron at the Landing, never missing supper. Not one night in those ten days. There was something there; only an idiot wouldn’t notice.

But every objection in the book rose to the forefront.

The thought of how much swimming lesson money I’d already made pulsed in my mind. I couldn’t let anything interfere with that. Every little bit added up, meaning I could survive school without needing to take a part-time job or extra loans.

“Ask him out, Harley.”

“I’m not interested in a relationship, Johnny.”

He snorted. “Who said anything about a relationship? He’s from out of town. Have a bit of fun this summer.”

I scrubbed my forehead. “I don’t know,” I moaned.

“How long has it been?”

My fist dropped and banged onto the stainless-steel countertop. “Jonathan, I swear to all that is sacred!” Shaking my head, I took deep lungfuls of air. “I used to babysit you—which means I’ve wiped your ass. I’m not talking about my personal life with you of all people!”

“That long, huh? Let’s see if I can help you out!” And with that, Jonathan began to saunter toward my section.

Letting out a squeak of dismay, I lunged after him. “You will not—”

“Just see if he wants to go down to the Pine Lawn Tavern and knock back a few. That doesn’t mean you’ll do the dance with no pants.” The grin spreading across the snot-nosed kid’s face was wicked.

I pushed him aside, and mercifully, he moved away to bother other people. With a deep breath, I checked on my other tables first.

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