Page 3 of The Playboy and the Waitress

“I did, and thank you for that, but you gave me way too much. Even with me having to purchase another shirt, I didn’t need an eighty-dollar tip. Here, let me give this back to you.”

I start to reach inside of my change purse when he stops me. “I don’t want the damn money back. Did she hurt you, I know that trout had to be hot?”

“My stomach is a little red, and the place on my arm is aggravating the daylights out of me, but you don’t need to feel guilty about this. It wasn’t your fault, you didn’t throw it at me.” I can see his fist balling up, he is still ticked off. This is the first time I have actually been this close to him… standing up that is, and I didn’t realize I would have to look up. Playboy has about four inches…or maybe more on me and I'm tall for a girl. And damn, would you look at those shoulders.Ok Jenna, get your head out of the gutter, I think.

I see him open his mouth and then shut it again. Like he is struggling with what he wants to say, but before he can get it out, Mary approaches us. “Mr. Hart, I didn’t expect to see you back here this evening. Is there a problem?”

“No, I came back to make sure Jenna was ok. I'm ashamed that I was even seen with anyone who would behave that way.”

“As you can see, Jenna is fine, and I don’t mean to be rude, but Jenna has tables she needs to take care of right now.”

“I understand, I won’t be another minute.”

We both turn and watch Mary walk off. I see a woman at one of my tables looking around, so that’s my sign. “I have to go… you know… gotta make that all mighty dollar, but thanks for stopping in to check on me.”

I walk off confused and curious as to what he might have said to me if Mary hadn’t interrupted. At least Playboy now has a last name in my head now. Mr. Playboy Hart.

CHAPTER3

The first week, I look for him every evening with no sign of him. I mean, he seemed genuinely concerned about me when he was here last, but that must have all been for show.

After the first weeks passed, anticipation turned to dread as my mind kept conjuring the next highfalutin’ broad he would bring with him. Hell, maybe I need to start watching out for my life, especially if they all start getting violent.

It’s been a slow Friday afternoon. So, to keep busy, I start filling up all the condiments and prepping a few things, hoping to get out a little earlier this evening. Especially since I forgot to fill the wood box up before I left the house, and there is nothing worse than packing wood in the dark. Mainly because you can’t see if any critters are lurking about.

I turn with my hands full and bump into a very hard chest. I look up with, “Sorry,” on my lips when a pair of bright blue eyes gaze down at me.

“Oh, hi, sorry… We need to stop meeting like this, people are gonna talk.” He doesn’t say anything back, just stands there staring down at me. “I think your usual table is open. Go ahead and seat yourself, I will only be a minute.” I scramble away before he can say anything. ‘Damnit Jenna you’re not twelve, what the hell,’ I whisper to myself.

I fill all the bottles in record time and then run my hands over my hair as my curls like to fly around everywhere if I don’t keep them tucked underneath this ball cap.

I look around as I approach his table, “Is the used car lot out of new options for you, stud?”

“Excuse me?”

Pointing, I say, “Seat’s empty, that’s the first time in twelve weeks you haven’t had a new, but slightly used, model sitting across from you batting her eyelashes.”

He shakes his head and smiles. “Humor… I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I should have known it wouldn’t be what I'm used to… In a model that is… as you put it. Do you know if there are any models like you on the market anywhere near here?”

“Sorry love, but this model is obsolete, and you should be happy about that since my fenders are dented and I smoke when I start up in the mornings, even my valves rattle from time to time. You are just going to have to keep shopping. Because there are still plenty of slightly used models still available prowling around looking for a stud like you. Now, are you actually dining alone this evening or waiting on someone?”

“Nope, just me this time. I'm Dage by the way… since I have been coming here for weeks, I figure that’s reason enough to be on a first-name basis by now.”

“Wow, are we being all formal now? I should warn you ahead of time, that’s not my strong suit, but if we are going to interact I can play along. I'm Ms. Jenna Gray, and it’s nice to get a name to go with that fine face of yours.”

“Ms. huh…so, there is no Mr. Gray at home waiting on you?”

“Nope, no significant other, it’s the dented fenders. Runs most of them off.”

He shakes his head laughing. “Now don’t think you can distract me with that car humor of yours… I heard you say I have a nice face! You think I'm cute?”

“Sweetie, you don’t need someone like me to make your head any larger. You know you’re a cutie, just by the different dolls hanging on your arm weekly.

“I have a confession to make, though. You and your entourage of girls have become like watching a soap opera around here. But your pickiness in the female population has cost me a few bets. The last one was the fourth week. You had brought in a darling little blond on the third week and I was for sure that little hottie would have a second date, but nope… dumped for the next model in line. Your stats aren’t lookin good, stud.”

“Yeah, it seems that my behavior has been less than stellar here lately. I want to apologize once again for the last time I was here. I'm assuming you’ve healed up ok?”

“Yeah, my arm was red for a few days, but for the most part, I think it hurt my feelings more than anything. I hate it when other people think they're better than everyone else. Believe it or not, I was thinking about you right before you came in. I was wondering if I should be scared of your next model…this next one might be worse…MAYBE… I should arm myself. Or MAYBE…you can start texting me before you come in… that way, I can wear combat gear on the days I know you’re gonna be here.” I can’t help but smile when he cracks up laughing at me. “Do you want your usual?”

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