Page 3 of Jacked-up Mate
Pushing open the door, I stepped inside to be surrounded by music spilling from tabletop jukeboxes and lively chatter from people enjoying juicy cheeseburgers and golden French fries.
“Sit anywhere, sugar,” called out a server wearing tight jeans and a T-shirt fitted to show off an upper body that surely never filled up on the greasy food he was setting down on a corner table. “Someone will bring you over a menu in a minute.”
Sure enough, I was no sooner settled in my chair than another man appeared with the promised menu. “Here you go. I recommend the cheeseburger plate, but everything is good.”
“I’ll have that, then, and an iced tea.”
He tilted his head and studied me for a second. “I never thought, but, you aren’t here to apply for the line cook job, are you? I’ve never seen you around here before.”
“Line cook?” It was on the tip of my tongue to say no because nothing about my degree would qualify me to fry beef or potatoes or anything else they cooked here. “I don’t know anything about that.”
“I suspect you don’t, but we really need someone and maybe that someone is you.”
I didn’t know what to say, but the man went on, “I tell you what, why don’t I put your order in and come back and give you a tour of the place. I’m very proud of it.”
He disappeared through a swinging door and returned less than a minute later. “Want the tour?”
“Sure. I gather you’re the owner?” I stood up and looked around at the brightly lit space.
“I am. It’s been a labor of love rehabbing this old place, but I think the effort was worth it.” He guided me around the dining room, pointing out everything from the satin paint finish and wainscoting to the black-and-white tiled floor. “I laid that myself. I’d hoped to be able to save the existing flooring, but it wasn’t hardwood at all, so I went a different way.”
“It’s nice, especially with the dark-red leather booths. You didn’t do the upholstery, too, did you?”
“Actually it’s original, but I watched several YouTube videos on how to bring the leather back to life. Nice, right?”
“Amazing. You’re very talented.” I continued to follow the owner whose name was Chris, around, listening to the stories of the multiple vintage items hung on the wall around the room. Every bit of this place was done with thought and care. And creativity. It wasn’t a chain place or something based on consumer research designed to sell.
The job I was headed to was good, would pay well, and allow me to pay my bills, but it was with a big national firm with whom I would be a cog. Just a social security number in HR. And as we wandered into the bathrooms, also lovingly restored, and the beautiful kitchen, I suddenly realized that I didn’t have to be a cog anymore. But that didn’t mean I was a cook.
“Your meal is currently being prepared by Jeb who is leaving us next week to join his mate on a cruise ship.” Chris moved to stand beside the tall, skinny cook. “Say hello to your replacement, Jeb. This wolf…what did you say your name was?”
I hadn’t, although he had told me his. He’d never asked mine. But why point it out? “I’m Foster.”
“Foster will be shadowing you until you leave.”
“Wait, I didn’t say I’d take it…”
They both pivoted to look at me, and I cringed a little.
“I didn’t say I wouldn’t, though.”
Chris arched a brow. “Well?”
“I want to, but my training is more office related, and I don’t want you to be sorry you hired me.” Was I really considering this?
“You’ll be able to learn from Jeb. He’s one of the best line cooks I’ve ever worked with, and he’ll help you.”
It was a crazy move, giving up a good job suited to my skill set to fry hamburgers, but my wolf was determined to stay in this town and maybe I could give it a shot.
I walked back to my table with Chris who held my food and set it down in front of me. “I’m almost as tired as I am hungry.” Picking up the cheeseburger, I took a big bite and sighed. “And I can’t imagine I can make a burger taste this good.”
“Oh, you will.” He was awfully confident. “Now, where are you staying?”
“I hadn’t planned to stay at all, so I don’t know. Is there a motel?”
“Yes, but Orly went to visit her grandbabies, so it’s closed. I have a cabin you can rent, though…”
And just like that, all my plans changed, and I had a new home.
