Page 4 of Starting Over in Cedarwood

He left the cart in the kitchen and hurried to the banquet room. The space only sat about fifty people, and according to the schedule, only twenty-five would be attending this gathering. The newspaper wanted to have a nice dinner after the game to congratulate the workers and he was expected to feed them.

The buffet was already set up by the time he arrived and only the beer chest needed attention. He sighed.Perfect.He could open beers for the next two hours. Tonya would be in soon and she’d take over as floor manager, so if someone had a complaint, they could go to her.

The people filtered into the room and Kevin pasted on his best, but fake, smile. He didn’t like working the buffets and today wasn’t a good day. He opened the bottles of beer and handed them to each attendant.

When he swept his gaze across the room, he spotted the guy from the loge.Damn.He’d forgotten to ask his name and hadn’t bothered to look at his number on the paper. Maybe they’d get a chance to chat again. This time, he’d exchange names.

Nedra elbowed him. “Your ex is here.”

Just as she’d spoken the words, Kevin noticed his ex-boyfriend sitting with his mystery man.Well, hell.Kyle could be charming and sweet. He was also better looking than Kevin, even on Kevin’s best day. If the mystery guy wanted Kyle, then that was his prerogative.

He kept himself in check as Kyle and the mystery man made their way through the line. If he remembered right, the guy liked light beer. He held on to the edge of the beer chest and waited for the next orders.

“Well, well.” Kyle offered a sly grin. “I thought you’d be here. Looks like you’ve been kicked back to the serving line.”

“I’m helping out,” Kevin said. “Which type of beer would you like, sir?”

“Sir?” Kyle laughed. “I forgot. You’re supposed to be all business-like here in line.” He threaded his arm around the mystery man’s arm. “This is my new boo, Shaun. Shaun, this is my…this is Kevin.”

“We’ve met,” Shaun said. “Hi, Kevin.”

“Hi.” Kevin gestured to the beers. “What can I get you?”

“A light, please?” Shaun asked. “Thank you.”

He offered up the selection and smiled. “Welcome.”

Kyle waggled his finger in the direction of the table. “I’ll meet you over there.”

“You’re holding up the line,” Kevin said. “Make your choice and you can talk later.”

“Oh, I will.” Kyle plucked a dark brew from the chest. “Open this.”

“Of course.” Kevin did, then handed the bottle to Kyle. “Don’t stick your hands in the chest again.”

“Or you’ll have me removed?” Kyle snorted. “Stop.” He inched around the chest and stood next to Kevin. “Shaun and I are going out after this. Dancing and clubbing. You know, we’re really hitting it off.” He dug his elbow into Kevin’s ribs. “I’ll let you know how the date goes.”

Kevin tamped down his frustration. He had no business expressing his feelings at work. “Very well.”

“See, that’s what bothered me about you,” Kyle said. “You don’t show your emotions. You’re ice cold. This is why no one will ever love you. You’re emotionless.”

Kevin pressed his lips together to keep from saying something. If Kyle wanted to be petty, then that was his problem.

Kevin refilled the beer chest twice and the time seemed to fly by. When he glanced down at his watch, he realized two hours had passed.

Nedra closed down the salad portion of the buffet and joined him at the beer chest. “Why don’t you take a break? You need it. I’ll handle this.”

“Thanks.” Kevin wiped his hands on the towel, then made his way over to the doors leading to the foyer.

“Hey.” Shaun jogged up to him. “You look beat. Everything okay?”

“Yeah. I’m fine. I’ve had my hands in the ice for the last two hours and they’re a little cold, but I’ll live. Did you enjoy the buffet?” Kevin asked. “Is everything up to standards?” He hated slipping into his business-tone, but the job mattered most.

“It was great. To be honest, I’m stuffed and I’ll have to run an extra couple of miles tomorrow to work it off.” Shaun hooked his thumbs in his pockets. “Do you run?”

“I do. It helps me manage my stress.” He wasn’t sure why he’d confessed that, but if Shaun was really a runner, he’d understand.

“I hear you. I’ll bet this is a real headache, keeping the food service running smoothly.” Shaun grinned. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you my name earlier. I saw you and lost my head.”

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