The Restaurant

Chapter 18

That night

I held a small meeting with the staff apologizing for my behavior the night before. They didn't understand why I acted the way I did but they forgave me. The night was going smoothly, everyone was doing their part and when someone needed help, I backed them up. I'd covered a few shifts for Tina before so she could have some time to rest or focus on school. She taught me how to run the kitchen, work the front, and count the drawer at the end of the night, so I wasn't too stressed.

Jesse came in with the order, "Jim, I need four bowls of the noodles."

That must be the whole family. 'So, she decided to come, well as long as I don't see her, I'll be ok,' I thought. I made the noodles and scooped them in bowls and told Tammy to let me know when they were done. After they finished, I went to the walk-in refrigerator and pulled out the cupcakes.

"Jesse, can you bring these to the table?" I asked.

She looked at them curiously, "What are those?"

"Something I never should have given to my roommates," I replied.

Jesse took the cupcakes and put them on their own separate plates, then walked them to the table. A few minutes later, Jesse came back in. "Jim, you're needed up front."

I double checked that everyone was alright and as I turned to walk up front, Tina ran into me. This time she was the one knocked back, but I caught her.

"Sorry about that," I said putting her back on her feet. She looked and smelled amazing. It took everything not to kiss her.

"It's alright, it was my fault running into the kitchen like that." She looked down and played with her bracelet.

"I-umm...I'm sorry for the other night."

"It's okay," she replied with a soft smile.

"No, you were right." I was still holding on to her arms, I gave them a soft squeeze. "We're too young for all that. You've got your whole life ahead of you. You'll get to travel and see so much. I'm happy for you."

She gasped slightly with a small intake of breath, and kept pulling at her bracelet, "Thanks."

"Coming through!" Jesse pushed passed us, knocking Tina into me again. We stared into each other's eyes, and our lips grazed. I could feel her breath on me. My insides were screaming to kiss and lose myself in her. Then I stood her upright.

"I have to go to your parent's table. Can you watch the back for a minute?" I didn't wait for a response, had I stayed any longer I would not have been able to hold myself together.

When I got to their table, they were all sitting and talking. Chuck's laugh could shake the building. Bill offered the seat next to him and I took it.

"What did you guys think?" I asked. There was some frosting leftover in Chuck's beard.

"I wasn't sure about the name, but Tina convinced me it was a good name. How'd she put it, hon?"

"It's simple, it rolls off the tongue, and it describes exactly what it is," Trudy said.

"I liked them," Bill said providing input. "I think you're going to have to bring me some more next time you come in. Maybe a couple of those cupcakes, too."

"Those were delicious," Chuck said. "What were in them?"

"Chocolate and peanut butter."

"Did you say peanut butter?" Chuck asked. He began shaking violently.

"What's going on?" I shouted.

"He's allergic to peanut butter!" Trudy exclaimed. "Quick! Go to the back and get the EpiPen. Tina knows where it is."