Page 13 of A Beary Nice View
My cheeks warm and I suddenly feel silly for my thoughts. Alaric has been nothing but straightforward with me. He’s interested and I should focus on that.
“I’m glad to see you,” I tell him softly. “Can I start you off with something to drink?”
“I’ll try your honeyed iced tea, please.”
“Any appetizers I can get started for you right away?”
“Do you have any recommendations?”
I smile down at Alaric. It feels so strange to have him here, in my space at work. I’m still floored that he bought me all those groceries yesterday. I get the feeling he likes taking care of people. Normally, I would fight against that tooth and nail but for some reason, it feels really good when he does it for me. Now that we’re at my work, it’s my turn to take care of him.
“I really like the spinach and artichoke dip. We also have some really delicious loaded nachos if you prefer something with meat.”
He looks at the menu before nodding. “I’ll try the dip. I’m interested in this guy and he’s a vegetarian so I think it’s time I try some more vegetarian options.”
The sentiment is so sweet it nearly knocks my socks off. It means a lot to me that he remembered and doesn’t make it a big deal.
“Perfect,” I say, reaching over and squeezing his shoulder. He pats my hand before I turn and go. Normally, I wouldnevertouch a customer but Alaric is different. I place his order at the bar for his drink and then punch his appetizer order into the computer.
As I continue to check on my tables and take care of everyone, I can’t stop glancing over at Alaric. Every time I look over, I find him looking at me. His attention leaves me tingly all over and it takes all of my brain power to get through the rest of the night without making any major mistakes. It’s hard to focus when I know he’s watching me.
“You’ll have to tell me what you think,” I say as I drop off his appetizer. “Do you know what you’d like for your main dish?”
“Oh, I’d love your wing special please. I’ll do the honey bbq and a side of ranch. And then fries for my side.”
“Perfect.” Before I go, I smirk down at him. “You and your honey,” I say with a chuckle.
Alaric winks. “It’s what every bear loves.”
I put his order into the computer. My section just keeps getting filled. Wednesdays are always busy but tonight, probably because the universe doesn’t want me to have nice things, it’s doubly busy. Our hostess isn’t putting anyone on a wait time and before I know it, the entire place is filled.
I’m literally sweating as I run from table to table, doing my best to keep up the best service I can. Unfortunately, the kitchen can’t seem to keep up with everyone's orders and before I know it, they’re starting to make mistakes that I’m getting yelled at over.
This whole thing is such a mess and it would really help if our fucking manager stopped parking himself at the hostess stand to flirt with Kelly and actually helped us out. It’s fucking chaos and it takes everything I have to keep my head above water.
“I’m so sorry,” I say, yet again, to a customer whose order got fucked up. “Our kitchen is backed up and they’re trying to go quickly. If I have them remake it, it’ll probably take another thirty minutes, or I can just take it off your bill.”
They let out a long sigh. “Just take it off my bill, please.”
“I will do, and again, I’m really sorry.”
I internally groan as I walk over to the kitchen, finally picking up Alaric’s plate of wings. Bo walks over at the same time, looking just as haggard as myself.
“This is such bullshit,” he says, looking at me. “There’s no reason Kelly should be sitting everyone the way she is. This is so stressful and would be so much better if she staggered people even 20 minutes. And Bradley is so far up his own ass he doesn’t even see that we’re all struggling to catch up.”
Another plate comes sliding through the window and Bo groans. “Are you shitting me? You guys have got to stop rushing! This is the second plate that’s come out wrong!”
“Fucking hell! Make it work, Bo!”
Bo looks at me. “I think tonight is the night. I think I’m gonna fucking quit.”
“You and me both.”
“No,” he says, looking more serious than I’ve seen him in a long time. “Fuck this place. They don’t treat us well, the money is not worth how management behaves. I really think I’m gonna quit.”
“Do you have something as backup?”
Bo shakes his head. “I have enough in savings that I have time to find something else. Anything has got to be better than this shithole.”
