Page 75 of Some Kind of Forever
I reconfigure my scowl into a hospitable smile and ask her, “Can I get you anything?”
“Oh, I think I can get him myself. Thanks though.” She saunters off toward the patio, and if it wasn’t for the constant stream of orders coming in, I’d find a way to trip her smug ass.
After a thirty-minute presentation in the ballroom, we’re ready for the dinner course, and I’m pulled aside by a staff member named Krista. “Table twenty-six on the patio has requested you as their server.” My eyes move along with hers as she gestures to the table where Maggie and her friends sit. “They were adamant, and since we have to ‘meet every unreasonable request,’ I’ll trade you for one of yours.”
We pull out our table tracking cards, and I peel off my number thirteen sticker as she hands over the number twenty-six. I close my eyes and take a deep breath before nodding and trudging outside.She’s not going to ruin this night for me.“What can I get for you?” I ask with a smile, unabashedly faking my way through the interaction. If I don’t give them the satisfaction of my annoyance, I can get them what they need and get away quickly.
“We want full bottles of the house red and white,” Maggie informs me, rolling her eyes like she didn’t call me over here.
“Sure. Anything else?”
“Just the wine for now. I’ll get some dessert later.”
I nod and wind my way back inside to the bar. Once inside, I place the order and take a minute to look around the dining area. Chase’s table is in the corner, and I’ve been avoiding looking over there to keep from distracting myself. Right now, though, I can’t help but take a peek, just wanting to get another look at him in that suit. Glancing that way, I notice he’s not there. I scan the crowd and see him bouncing between tables, laughing with almost everyone he talks to. The ease in which he talks to people is effortless, and I catch myself smiling as I watch him network.My heart.
The bartender hands over the two bottles of wine, and I steelmyself, fixing my face before walking back outside to deal with the trio again.
“Here you go,” I slide the bottles on the table before reaching into my apron for my corkscrew. Camryn and Tamryn whisper about something, while Maggie taps her foot, looking me up and down as I open the bottles.
“You know it’s never going to last between you two, right?” she says as I place the newly opened bottle of red wine on the table and reach for the white.
“Can I get you anything else, Miss St. Clair?” I reply tersely, ignoring her jab as I place the second bottle of wine down in front of her.
She’s not going to ruin this night for me.
“You two don’t make any sense together. Chase is basically technology royalty, and you, well, you’re just the help.” Her smirk is smug, like she’s delivered some kind of devastating blow that will knock me down a few pegs, where I seemingly belong.
Screw it.
Something in me snaps. Not enough to cause a scene, but just enough to flip off my hospitality switch while I deliver some devastating news of my own.
Leaning down so we’re eye level, I stare at Maggie with my eyebrows pulled together, gathering as much faux pity as I can muster. “Oh, you haven’t heard?” I ask, knowing full well she has no idea about the news I’m going to share. Everyone else at The Bluffs has kept my being Kendall’s daughter a closely guarded secret for now, at my request.
Maggie’s eyes narrow as she folds her arms across her chest and leans back, obviously disgusted that I would dare get so close to her face.
“Kendall’s my dad, so I guess that makes me technology royalty, too,cousin.” I know she and I aren’t technically related, but adding in the term feels like a nice way to drive home just how close our circles really run. The combined looks of rage, horror, and surprise on her face fill me with giddy satisfaction,knowing my message was received as intended. Standing up straight, I smile at the trio before turning on my heel. I walk back into the dining room, refilling the water glasses of my other tables as I go.
“What a menace,” Ashlie says after I briefly recap what happened outside, leaning against the wall at the back of the dining room. We’ve hit a lull, with the guests wandering around the venue, admiring the Victorian architecture and the beautiful garden outside in the courtyard. “Cape Cod and Tampa just sat there and didn’t say anything?”
“Nope,CamrynandTamrynwere whispering back and forth, like usual.”
“Switch tables with me, just this once.” Ashlie cracks her knuckles. I bump her shoulder with mine, snorting at her implication.
“The night’s almost over. They’ll be off to New York and we’ll never have to see them again.”
“Well,I’llnever have to see them again. You, on the other hand, have a dad and siblings who she’s related to. I think you’ll have to deal with her periodically. Why not put her in her place now?”
“Because this is work, and I’m a professional,” I say, stretching my back as the ache from being on my feet all evening sets in. She’s right, though. I will probably run into Maggie again at some point, and the call to set her straight gets louder each time I interact with her. “Besides, she’s harmless.”
“She’s annoying is what she is, and she wants your man.”
“Yeah, but still harmless.” I raise my eyebrows in an attempt to get her to let it go.
“Okay, okay, you’re right. It helps that your boyfriend is a Golden Retriever personified. That boy is crazy about you, girl.”
I smile, biting my lip as I remember Chase pulling me aside earlier. He looked so damn good, and in a few short hours, I’m going to enjoy getting up close and personal with that suit he’s been wearing all night.
The bell sounds in the kitchen, signaling us to begin preparationfor the dessert course. Ashlie and I grab trays and turn in opposite directions to our assigned regions. I’m bent over a table on the patio, stacking plates and glasses, when I feel someone brush my arm. Expecting another server, I turn distractedly, keeping my eyes on the table before meeting a pair of piercing blues.
