Page 24 of Grateful in Watch Hill
TEN
SETH
Watch Hill Pizza lookedlike it came out of a magazine. As I walked toward the new outdoor patio, I marveled at that fact. There was a certain charm in the way the pergola, Italian string lights, reclaimed-wood fire pit, and wrought iron furniture set off the Tudor façade of the original restaurant.
We did good. Real good.
Best of all, patrons occupied every table, and it was only a few minutes after six. Kyle was going to have a big night, and my friend deserved it.
“Congratulations,” I said when I reached Kyle’s side at the freestanding bar set up on the far side of the patio. From there, people could order a variety of cold beers and the specialty cocktail of the night, the Watch Hill Spritzer. I held out my elbow. “This is awesome.”
Kyle bumped his arm to mine. “Damn right about that.”
“How many pizza breads have you sold?”
He chuckled. “Too many to count. Tyler’s inside hustling away on those orders.”
“The price of success.”
“Something like that.” Kyle eyed me. “You know, you’ve been a huge help to me over the last few months. I can’t imagine not having you around permanently.”
“Thanks man.”
“You want to stick around? Maybe see what we can do if we stay in business together?”
I regarded him. Before the pandemic, I wouldn’t have even considered that. But he was right. We did have potential as a team. So did this place. “You know what? I think I do.”
“Just what I wanted to hear. Let’s celebrate.” Kyle opened the large cooler beside the bar. “What are you drinking?”
“Oh, I don’t know.” I held up both my hands. “I probably shouldn’t—”
“You’re not working, it’s not a big deal.” He took an ale from the top and handed the cold can to me. “On the house. Least I can do for a guy who helped me get through one of the weirdest periods in my life.”
“Hey man, you helped me too.” I popped the top of the can but didn’t drink any. “I don’t think you realize how much.”
“I know you never expected to find yourself working at a pizza joint in Watch Hill, but hey, life is funny like that sometimes.”
“Sure is.”
Kyle smiled. “Especially when it comes to twists like Kendra.”
I frowned. “Kendra?”
“Yeah, man, she’s inside.”
“What?” I turned toward the restaurant entrance, then back to my friend. “What are you talking about?”
“She’s inside. She showed up about half an hour ago, and she’s helping Ashley organize the brochures we’re giving people with their checks.”
Kyle had hardly finished his sentence before I bolted inside the restaurant. We hadn’t spoken in a few days, and while I’d considered reaching out a few times, I kept vetoing it out of fear she would only rebuff me. She’d made it clear how she felt.
But if she is here now...
I found her seated at the table closest to the checkout counter. She was alone, and she stood up as soon as I walked through the door.
“Hi,” I managed.
“Hi, Seth.” She glanced in the direction of the kitchen. “Ashley’s back there helping Kyle if you—”
