Page 63 of New Year

Other minor issues arose, as they did during any service, and Zack handled everything. By the time he had a moment to check on the French Garden room, Shelton was delivering a dessert plate to Austin. Zack caught Shelton in the hall outside the kitchen. “Did he have any complaints about the entrée?”

Shelton shook his head. “No, he said it was excellent when I asked. The plate was pretty clean. You’re handling this a lot better than I would.”

“This is my place of business, and I won’t taint our reputation with a confrontation if I can avoid it. I’ll let him go about his business and post his review, if he chooses, and then the next time he tries to eat here—if there is a next time—we’ll drop the ban hammer.”

“Ban hammer. I think you’re showing your age, boss.”

“Probably. Let me know when you run his final ticket. I’ll deliver his receipt.”

“I left the receipt folder with his dessert. I’ll go get it in a moment.”

“Thanks, Shelton.”

A few minutes later, Zack joined Shelton at the POS to run Austin’s credit card. Austin Daniels. Zack finally had a last name. Excellent. Zack put the Customer and Merchant copies and a pen inside the folder with Austin’s credit card, and Zack took it back to Austin’s table.

“How was your dining experience this afternoon?” Zack asked. “I noticed you ordered my favorite dessert. The orange flan is the perfect way to end a meal.”

“It was exceptional, Mr. Matteson, thank you,” Austin replied, a little too smarmy and charming. “I plan to spend the afternoon putting together a little review video for my social media followers. May I have permission to film a little B-roll of the interior of the restaurant before I leave?”

Zack smiled like that was the most astonishing news he’d ever received. “Are you an influencer?”

“I consider myself more of a content creator than an influencer.” Austin, the pretentious prick, actually pulled a business card out of his pocket with a QR-code on it. “I hope you enjoy my review.”

“I’m sure I will. And yes, you may take some B-roll, but please, don’t film the other guests without their permission. I don’t want anything to disrupt their experience.”

“Understandable. I don’t like making strangers uncomfortable when I film.”

No, just your boyfriend, you absolute horror of a human being.

Zack’s smile never wavered. “You enjoy the rest of your afternoon, and I’ll look for that review.” He pocketed the card and strode out of the dining room, skin crawling from his proximity to that monster. He wanted to drive straight home and take a hot shower. Hug Nat tight. But he had hours left on his shift, and Nat was taking Chase to a physical therapy appointment this afternoon.

They were all busy, like the adults they were. Not out dropping sixty bucks on a two-martini lunch in the middle of a Friday, pretending to be internet famous with an opinion others cared about. It nauseated Zack to think Austin probably did have a decent following. The man had charisma that would translate well to film, to getting his point across and tricking people into thinking he had something important to say.

All while assaulting his supposed boyfriend behind the scenes and on a private website.

Now that he had Austin’s last name, though, Zack could do a little more private digging. After work. Going upstairs to his office and losing himself for a few hours online was tempting, but it could wait.

He passed Shelton with his arms full of empty plates. “That Austin guy, boss?” Shelton said. “Tipped twenty-five-percent.”

“Impressive.” He’d half-expected the asshole to draw a smiley face on the Tip line. “I’m glad he isn’t a public-facing asshole.”

“Just a private one?”

“Mega private one. Thanks for everything, Shelton. And when his face does go on the official ban list, please don’t gossip about why.”

Shelton smiled. “Why what, boss?”

“Exactly.”

Something banged loudly in the kitchen. Zack sighed and went to investigate the noise.

* * *

Chase was always exhausted after physical therapy, and today’s session was no different. He also admitted he hadn’t slept well the night before, for no particular reason, so Nat wasn’t surprised Chase dozed off in the car on the drive home. Nat decided to take a circular route and listen to music while Chase napped, and they arrived home around three. He turned off the car, so he could use his keys to unlock Chase’s front door and turn off the alarm, before waking Chase.

He was groggy and grumpy, but he managed to limp inside the house. Nat kicked the door shut behind him and helped Chase over to the recliner. Took off his shoes and fetched him the glass of sweet tea he asked for. He’d put a roast and veggies in the slow cooker before they left for the appointment, so the house was fragranced with beef and onions and spices. Nat’s stomach growled happily, but the food wouldn’t be ready until closer to six. The carrots always seemed to take the longest to cook, and he wanted the beef fork-tender.

He checked the pot and all seemed well. While he was near the mud room, he also locked the door. Chase was wholly focused on something on his tablet when Nat returned to the living room with a can of root beer to sip. “Exciting news article?”

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