Page 11 of Falling for My Best Friend's Dad
I don’t speak. It’s true. We had the plan of moving to Italy one day. Olivia’s dad is from there.
“Yeah, she had the plan,” I say, battling with a surge of emotions.
“I like it there, too,” she says. “I’ve been to Italy twice in the past five years, and I plan to go again in Christmas. Want to join me?”
Emotions bubbles in my chest as I recall the unforgettable vacations Olivia and I spent in Italy when we were still dating. Yes, I would like to experience it again.
“Let me think about it,” I say. A movement gets my attention and I shift my eyes away from Penny.
Kayla is standing and looking my way. Her eyes widened with joy at first, and then curiosity the moment they land on Penny. Shit. I didn’t tell her we were going to a concert. She must think we’re dating. I wave at her sheepishly, a stabbing pain runs through my heart when I see the flash of hurt in her eyes before she turns toward the restrooms.
“What a coincidence,” Penny comments after Kayla is out of our sight.
“Her day job is around here,” I say, glancing at the man Kayla is with.
The guy is speaking loudly on the phone. “How can I not fire her? The bitch is trying to blackmail me. Ron, and I want you to make sure she doesn’t get what she wants. Come on, I didn’t force her to do anything she wasn’t willing to!”
Jesus. No doubt the jerk is Kayla’s boss. Obviously he isn’t speaking about her, but little doubt he doesn’t treat her with more respect either.
I have the urge to rush to the lady’s room and ask Kayla what’s going on, but Penny distracts me with her inquiry about Ivy’s wedding.
“I still can’t believe my best friend is going to become my son-in-law,” I say with a sigh.
“Well, honey, you’ll have to get used to it!” She crackles a laugh while putting her hand on my cheek.
I’m annoyed by the intimate gesture and I flinch a bit. From the corner of my eye, I see Kayla coming back to the dining area, and I’m so embarrassed I can’t bring myself to look at her.
And then it dawns on me Penny does it on purpose. She is a shrewd woman and must be able to tell my feelings for Kayla. I’m being pretty obvious by glancing her way most of the time. What a calculating woman. How could I even have the thought of having anything to do with her?
I ignore Penny and look at Kayla again. She exchanges a few more words with her boss as she gets ready to go. He stands up, and gives her a hug that seems to be too tight and inappropriate to me. Again jealousy stirs in my gut but all I can do is to empty my beer mug. “I’ve got to go,” I say to Penny, nearly smashing the mug onto the table.
“It’s only five,” she says.
“Yeah, I know. But I’ve been out for too long.”
She chuckles, shaking her head. “Oh, Richard. Well, I guess we’ll take a step at a time.”
“Thanks, Penny,” I say, deciding that there won’t be a second step with her. “I had a great time.”
I drive recklessly and return to the restaurant ahead of Kayla. I don’t know what I’m going to say to her once she’s here, but I need to speak to her.
Chapter 7
Kayla
I drive extra-slow on my way to Bay Bistro. One reason is I dread what I’m about to say to Richard, another is I dread seeing him.
How am I going to tell him I’ll quit? Is a two-week notice enough? Perhaps I should make it a month? He probably doesn’t mind. It might not be a big deal. He can find a server in no time, probably someone more skillful one than me. I used to think I was an important member of the staff, that Richard needed me. But now I’m not sure anymore.
My mind drifts to Penny again. Jeez. I couldn’t have guessed Richard would give her a thought. Richard always treats her professionally, and his lack of interest for her is evident. I witnessed a few times when she practically begged him for a date, and he made up excuses to refuse her. Once he even rolled his eyes when he spoke to me about her. I guess it meant nothing negative because he rolled his eyes at Ivy, too. It might’ve been an affectionate eye-roll, if there were such a thing.
Stop it! Why am I letting it bother me? It’s not like I have any chance with him. The thing is I don’t want any other woman have a chance with him either and definitely not the condescending, haughty, finicky Penny!
Richard’s car is already at the parking lot when I arrive. I feel a bit better knowing he didn’t linger at the bar. Silly.
I take the time and redo my hair into a bun in my car, before heading toward the back entrance of the restaurant.
“Kayla,” Richard greets me as soon as I step in.
