Page 13 of Tumbleweed Temptation
Nope. He didn't look forward to working alone with her. But how did he put that to Marianne without seeming like he was worried about his virtue?
Ginny Scott walked out of the kitchen then, and he found himself sitting up straight in the booth. She had worked here in high school, but he never expected she’d still be working here now.
He wondered why she hadn’t been on Marianne’s list of possible employees. She would be perfect for the job.
He never had gotten to talk to her at The Wheel House the other night, to see what was holding her to this town. She hadn’t stayed very long, had slipped away when he was talking to someone else. And it didn't look like he’d get a chance to talk to her about it now, since she was one of the few daytime waitresses on duty, and the place was pretty busy.
Her mouth did a weird tightening thing when she saw him, and she pulled her order pad out of her apron as she approached their table.
“Hi, Marianne. Austin. What can I get y’all today?”
“Hey, Ginny.” He leaned against the back of the seat and looked up at her. “We didn't get to talk much the other night at The Wheel House. What are you up to these days?”
Now he understood what that tightening thing around her mouth meant. She was embarrassed. At least, that’s what he presumed when she raised her hands to her sides.
“You’re looking at it.”
He had so many more questions, but she clearly didn't want to talk about it, and was probably too busy, anyway. “Sure, we’ll both have a glass of water and whatever else she wants to drink.” He could not put one more drop of caffeine in his body. “Hey. Did Janine tell you I’m interviewing office managers for my practice? Maybe you want to come apply?” It had to pay better than this.
“I like my job,” she said, and turned away.
“What’s going on?” Marianne asked. “Don't we have enough people to choose from?”
“No, you don't get it.” He leaned forward and lowered his voice. “She was super-smart in high school. We were kind of rivals, you know, for different things. She wanted to work in a research lab. Man, she’d have the science and math background. Maybe not medical, but she’d be a fast learner. Tell me again what the salary is?”
She told him.
He shook his head. “She can’t be making that here, can she?”
“Not even on a good month. But she didn't apply, and we still have three more to interview this afternoon.”
“She’d be a great fit, I’m sure of it.” Okay, maybe he wasn’t. He hadn’t really spoken to her in twelve years. “Maybe she can come by after work, and we can kind of go over things with her. Look, she’s smart and she deserves better than this.” He swallowed the last words as Janine strode over to their table.
Marianne’s shoulders went up around her ears as the other woman approached.
“Are you trying to poach one of my waitresses?” Janine demanded of Marianne.
Marianne opened and closed her mouth before answering. “I’m—not.” She swept her hand in Austin’s direction. “Austin remembered her from high school. That’s all.”
“Ms. T, I could sure use her help at my office.”
Janine pivoted on him, arms folded over her skinny chest. “She’s the best waitress I have.”
“I’m sure she is,” Austin said. “But she...” How did he put this? He couldn't say she was better than this. “I think she and I would work really well together. We always brought out the best in each other in high school.” Damn, he might even enjoy working if he worked with someone who challenged him.
Janine narrowed her eyes. “All you have to do is ask her out.”
Austin widened his, surprised by the misinterpretation. “No! I mean, no. That’s not what I’m talking about here. I’m just talking about—” He didn't know how to explain it, the mental stimulation that he’d been missing since he graduated. “I think she’d be great. And it would be great for her. But I think it’s her decision, you know. We are just putting an opportunity in front of her.”
“If she goes to work for you, we’re going to have a problem,” Janine said, and Austin couldn't help swallow at the ice in her voice. He’d always loved Janine, and wanted to have a good relationship with her. But he wanted to work with Ginny. And he thought Ginny needed it too.
Marianne shook her head when Janine walked away, and turned her attention to the menu. “You’re going to get me in trouble.”
“What? Why? What’s going on between the two of you?” It hadn’t escaped his notice that Janine confronted Marianne first.
“I don't know. She’s just not super welcoming to outsiders, I guess.”
But she didn't meet his gaze as she said those words, so he wasn't sure she was telling the truth about that.
