Page 12 of See Me

Enzo straightens when he sees me. “It’s her first week. Give her a break.”

Tomi whips a towel up to rest on her shoulder. “She’s gonna have to do it eventually. Let’s see ifRange Rovercan handle it.” She turns when I walk up, smiling and smacking her gum. “You have a table.”

I look over and see a table of four guys. Three in blue scrubs and one in a suit.

“Okay.” I grab my note pad out of my apron and make my way over.

“Ella, wait.” Enzo has a look of dread on his face. Tomi grins.

“I’m good,” I say over my shoulder. “Hi. Can I start you guys off with something to drink?”

Suit Guy looks me up and down. “And you are?

“Hated by God, apparently,” I mumble. I smile when he glares at me. “Sorry, I’m Ella.”

“Ella. Well, Ella I’ll have a scotch on the rocks.” I write it down and look at the others.

They all give me their orders and I turn to go. I hear a distinct snapping behind me and see Enzo standing behind the bar. He winces and drops his face to his hands.

“Eh, eh, eh. I think you need to repeat that order back to me,” Suit Guy tsks.

I take my time turning around and stretch my face into a smile. “Of course. That’ll be three beers and a scotch.”

“On the rocks. And make sure it’s top shelf. I don’t want the well.”

“Coming right up.” I go to the bar and hand Enzo my ticket.

“Stay calm. Those are the doctors. They come in every week. Three of them are harmless but the guy in the suit is a real piece of shit.”

“You don’t say.” I rest my hand on my chin and smile. “Get the Macallan.”

Enzo shakes his head. “Ella, that’s a ninety-thousand-dollar bottle.”

“Suit Guy wants top shelf.” I shrug. “And later you’re going to explain to me why that bottle is behind the bar.”

“You’re my fucking hero, you know that? Just make sure you stay behind the bar after they eat and I’ll give him the bill.”

I grab the drinks and balance them on a tray. “Deal.” I set the drinks on the table and make sure Suit Guy gets his last. The purse of his lips screams he doesn’t appreciate it. I have a swarm of butterflies in my stomach but I’m pretty sure they’re all high-fiving each other.

“Are we ready to order?” I look to the doctor on Suit Guy’s left. He opens his mouth to order and Suit Guy interrupts.

“I’ll have the—”

“I’m sorry, I’m gonna start with him. If I start here and then move around the table to the left, it’s easier for me to remember. See, I always stand at this spot,” I point to the ground, “and, and start with this chair,” I motion to the chair, “and then go around,” I make a big circle with my arm over the table. “and if I mess up that pattern it throws me off. Yousee, my small female brain isn’t good at remembering so I have to do it this way so I don’t—”

He tosses the menu on the table. “Whatever, fuck. Just take the orders.”

Enzo's head disappears behind the bar and I assume he ducked out of sight to laugh. I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep a straight face.

I turn to the first guy in scrubs and he’s holding back a smile. “I’ll have the grilled chicken caprese salad.”

“Excellent choice.” I take the other two orders and turn to Dr. Dickface, he’s been promoted from Suit guy. “And for you?”

He glares and orders a pasta dish with three modifications. “That sounds delicious. How’s your scotch by the way?”

“I’ve had better but it’ll do.”

You wouldn’t know a good bottle of scotch if it hit you in your bloated face with the pointy end.

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