“I know. Kind of like my words thrown in my face.”

  She frowned as she started to eat the second piece, then moved the fruit around on the plate instead while she thought of her next words. “That’s not nice to either of us. That you think I’d throw words in someone’s face or that it’s a negative thing where I’ve felt I’ve gotten stronger as a person? Maybe you don’t like that in a woman. I don’t know.”

  “No,” he said. “I don’t mean it that way. Just that here I am trying to get you to be the best person you can be and loved how you’re thriving. And you come to me for something and I act like a fool. It’s more along those lines.”

  “I think I understand. So you talked to your lawyer. Then what?”

  “I told Hailey what a fool I was. She laughed at me. She’d heard we were dating and said we’d all been in the same boat. I guess it was more my guilt than anything else over my reaction to the conversation that had me calling her to see what she had to say.”

  She took a deep breath. “Why didn’t you tell me about the clause in the contract?”

  “I didn’t want you to think I was making it up,” he said. He held his hand up when she went to talk. “And Hailey asked the same question and laughed at that too. She said that was crazy and that not only wouldn’t I lie but your parents would have shown you the contract anyway.”

  “Exactly,” she said, her shoulders straightening some. “Again, I can’t believe you think so little of me that I’d accuse you of lying.”

  “I don’t think that of you. It’s more that I’m trying to tell you everything I did wrong. The whole thing is on me. Every part of it. And you have every right to be angry.”

  “I’m not angry,” she said.

  He moved from the other side of the island and pulled her off the chair and into his arms. “Then hurt. I know you’re hurt.”

  She started to sniffle and hated herself for that. For coming off as maybe weak in his eyes. “I was hurt.”

  “I’m sorry for that too. It’s not what I meant to do. Not any of it. Then I worried you’d compare me to Eddie and didn’t want that.”

  He kissed her on the top of the head. He did that a lot. Not like being a father but more like a protector. And though there were times in her life she felt like she didn’t need one, in his arms she knew she didn’t want to be anywhere else.

  “I believe you.” She didn’t want to admit his actions were a flicker in her mind of her ex. She’d shut it down fast though.

  She moved out of his arms. She knew there was more that had to be said and she wasn’t going to let someone else steer this conversation their way or toward their ending. She wanted to be able to have some control over it for once.

  To have a voice when it felt like she didn’t have one often.

  If there was anyone she could do that with, it’d be Duke.

  “I went to talk to Kelsey after. She gave me a big reality check.”

  “What’s that?” she asked, going back to her breakfast.

  “She pointed out the success of Southside is in part due to you too. Units sold, comparing sizes of restaurants evenly, the desserts at Southside are outselling Duke’s.”

  “Really?” she asked, perking up.

  “Yes. And you should have that big of a smile on your face and be proud of that. I’ve even noticed some takeout with desserts.”

  “That takeout menu is getting bigger too,” she said. Which had been her idea to push that. It’d always been available before but not ever promoted. Once she started to add that to the social media accounts, there was a nice increase in sales there too.

  “It is. You do know how to manage things from a business part. Not the kitchen. Not ordering what needs to be in.”

  “No,” she said. “I don’t profess to know those things.”

  “Both Hailey and Kelsey asked if having a manager at Southside would take some of the pressure off of me. Someone to do the scheduling and the training. To make sure things are done or taken care of while customers are there. Handling complaints or questions. So many things that come up.”

  “That is what you do,” she said.

  “And I’m not there enough,” he said. “If someone else was managing things, it’d give me time to be with my girlfriend. If she wanted that.”

  “Am I your girlfriend?” she asked, grinning.

  “You’re sitting in my kitchen eating my breakfast. No one else has done that in longer than I can remember.”

  “I’m not so sure of that, but we’ll let it pass.”

  “How about not someone I care for as much as you,” he said.

  Those feelings of love she’d had were still there and growing more. He didn’t say he loved her but cared. That was still on the same train tracks in her eyes.

  “I’d love to be able to spend more time with you,” she said. “Are you going to interview for a manager?” She waited for a brief second and then found the courage to ask, “Is this something I can apply for?”

  “I’m not interviewing,” he said.

  “Oh,” she said. “So it’s just a thought.”

  “No,” he said. “It’s something I’m going to do. I’ve got someone I want to have in the position, but I need to work on the transition of it.”

  “Okay,” she said.

  He held her stare. “Hadley. It’s you.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes.” He was smirking at her. “I wouldn’t have even thought of it if you didn’t bring it up. Just like so many other things that have happened in the past few months. But I know this isn’t the career you thought you’d have or wanted. I just need to know what your thoughts are. As much as I know you can do it and will be great at it, I also need to keep the business in mind if you think it’s still short term.”

  “That’s fair. But yes, it is what I want. I never thought this months ago. But I know I can do it. I love doing what I am. I know that would mean not being a server or maybe not.”

  “That is what we are going to work out. I think if you’re willing or want to still do one or two shifts, that is fine with me. I’d like the manager there on busier shifts anyway. You fill in as a hostess. One of the new hostesses has been asking to be a server. If you don’t mind switching jobs, that frees those shifts up. You’d get a raise. I’d figure this out and probably make you salary. You won’t be losing out because of tips and you’d get to walk around and talk to people like you are now. Find out how the meal is.”

  “That sounds awesome,” she said. “I like talking to people. I’ve heard other customers say they wish there was someone to give compliments to aside from the servers. That sometimes they want to say how good the server is.”

  “Or how bad,” he said.

  “Yeah, that has happened too,” she said. She hadn’t wanted to say that.

  “That is the nature of the business and sometimes you can’t please everyone. So, do you want to be the new manager of Southside?”

  “I do. And in three more months when you make your decision on whether to purchase it or not, I’ll figure things out from there.”

  “Hadley,” he said. “I know what I’m doing. I knew from the first month.”

  She laughed. Somehow that didn’t surprise her. “Why wait then?”

  “Because it’s the smart business move. No one is losing out and everyone seems to be gaining. Your parents aren’t incurring any debt while we do this or once it’s sold.”

  “If it’s sold,” she said. “Anything can happen in a few months.”

  “You’re right. Anything can. If or when it’s sold, they will make a nice profit.”

  “And then can enjoy their retirement even more,” she said.

  “Yes,” he said. “Now that I’ve said everything I needed and wanted to say. What about you?”

  “What?”

  “I asked what you want or need to say.”

  She jumped up and went to hug him. “Thank you for that?”

  “For what?”

  “For giving me the chance to have my say in things. I never feel like I get it. But I was going to try to this time. I knew I could with you.”

  “You’ll always get it with me. Even if I’m an ass and it’s a few days later. Which I’ll try not to do.”

  “I’m the one that left,” she argued.

  “You had the right to do that. I might have done it in the same situation.”

  “I don’t have much to say. I think we said it all. I’m glad you saw the things I would have pointed out on my own. I’m glad I’ve got good ideas that you go with. That means the world to me. And I’m sorry if what I said to you came out in a clumsy way. It was about me believing in my abilities, and not for one second did I overlook the fact that it is your talent and expertise and experience that made Southside a success.”

  “And I’m thrilled you feel comfortable and confident enough to come to me with things. I feared that after what I said on Sunday that you’d take some steps back again and I don’t want that to happen.”

  “I might have, but I told myself not to. I like the person I’m becoming. I’ve got you to thank for that.”

  “No thanks. You’ve always been this person. Maybe you just need someone to jiggle it out of you.”

  She started to laugh. “Jiggle. That makes me think of Jell-O. What a funny word.”

  He shook his head at her. “It’s a long story. Maybe someday I’ll tell you,” he said.

  “I can’t wait to hear it.”

  It let her believe she’d be around long enough to be told.

  31

  Doing My Job

  Weeks later, mid-August, Hadley wasn’t sure being the manager of Southside was as much fun as she imagined.

  She was the person everyone was coming to complain to. Staff included.

  There’d been some that weren’t thrilled she was appointed to the position. That they wanted to apply or felt they were better qualified.

  Many said she only got it as a favor to her parents.

  It made her feel like crap, but rather than argue over it, she decided to be the bigger person and not engage.

  She didn’t think it was running or avoiding, but the best business practice in this situation.

  The old saying of you couldn’t please everyone was the truth.

  She’d spent a few shifts training the new hostess that had wanted to be a server and she started to work the hostess stand. She liked placing people because she knew the servers and how fast they worked when need be.

  Some hustled, others liked to take their time and be friendly. There was a place and a time for both, but on Friday night it was more hustling with kindness blended together.

  “Welcome to Southside,” she said to the couple that walked in. “For two?”

  “Yes,” the woman said. “You must be Hadley.”

  She wasn’t sure how they knew her, but she didn’t know them. “I am. I’m sorry. Have we met?”

  The woman laughed and Hadley looked at the man next to her, saw the blonde hair on the big man and the resemblance to Duke.

  “We’re Karen and Kyle Raymond. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “You too,” she said. “I just realized who you were now by looking at you. Duke looks a lot like you.”

  “And Kelsey looks like me with Kyle’s coloring,” Karen said.

  “Please, let me find you a seat. Is this your first time at Southside?”

  “It is,” Kyle said. “We normally go to Duke’s, but my wife got it in her brain to try out Southside.”

  “And maybe get a glimpse at me,” she said quietly as she moved to an open table. She wasn’t sure where the boldness came from, but it felt like the time to say it.

  Duke had wanted to let everyone know they were dating and she’d said no. Not at work. It was going to be hard enough getting this position and if they found out she was sleeping with the boss that would be too much.

  He agreed with her but then said some of his family knew and it was making the rounds. He wasn’t one to hide something like that.

  Since her parents knew too and she didn’t want Duke to think she was embarrassed to be with him, she said it was fine.

  She was at his house a few nights a week anyway. She’d waited for him at the bar at Duke’s twice. Someone was bound to put it together and she had to let it go.

  They weren’t doing anything wrong. They were two single consenting adults in a committed relationship.

  Sure, it was only about three months of dating, but it just felt so much longer to her. Maybe because the emotions were deeper than she’d felt with other men.

  “There was that too,” Karen said.

  “Heather will be with you in a few,” she said and moved back to the hostess table where two more people had walked in.

  She was seating some and then telling others it’d be a few minutes’ wait when a blonde walked in looking very much like Duke.

  “Hi. I’m Kelsey.”

  “I figured as much,” she said. Her hand went out. “So nice to meet you.”

  “No,” Kelsey said, winking. “Much nicer to meet you. My mother texted there was an extra chair at their table and I rushed right over.”

  She grinned. “Glad you could come in. My parents have a lot of nice things to say about you. I wanted to thank you for taking such good care of them.”

  “My pleasure,” Kelsey said. “There are things I’d like to thank you for but, you know, not the right place.”

  “No,” she said. She knew it had to do with Duke and since no one in the building was aware they were dating other than the Raymonds—and she’d like to keep it that way—she walked Kelsey to the table where her parents were seated.

  Thirty minutes later, a table for five was leaving and stopped at the counter where she was standing and wiping clean the board to place people when they sat. “Hi, we were told you’re the manager.”

  “I am,” she said. “Is there something I can help you with?”

  She’d been moving around as much as she could when she had a chance. Checking on the meals and making sure everyone had what they wanted. But when it was slammed like this, she had to stay up front to make sure no one was waiting as they walked in.

  “The food was wonderful,” the woman said. “It really was. But it was kind of slow. We waited over forty-five minutes for our burgers to come out. I know it’s busy in here, but we’ve been here before when it’s been as busy and never waited as long.”

  “I’m so sorry for that. I wish I’d known. I would have comped you some of your meal.”

  “No, no,” the man said. “The food was wonderful. It always is. It’s just the pace seemed off. Others were talking too. I know not that many would voice anything and we’ve been going to Duke’s for years. It’s nice to have this place also but just wanted you to know. The server was wonderful, coming out and explaining there was something going on in the kitchen, but the food finally came out.”

  Hadley frowned, not sure what could be going on and had to get to the bottom of it.

  She pulled a gift card out for twenty-five dollars. “Here. I’m so sorry you had to wait. I’m thrilled the food was wonderful as always and Heather kept you up to date on what was going on. We appreciate your patronage.”

  “We’ll be back. No worries,” the woman said. “We just wanted to let you know.”

  “Thank you for telling me.”

  She moved out to go back on the floor. She noticed that there weren’t dinner plates in front of Duke’s parents and by now there easily should have been. It’d been almost forty-minutes since Kelsey had shown up. She could see Duke’s parents waiting to order until then, so she was going by their daughter’s arrival.

  She moved closer to Karen and Kyle, then squatted down to be quiet. “How are things going? I noticed you don’t have your food.”

  “Heather has been over a few times to let us know it’s on the way. They are busy is all. It’s fine. We are just enjoying a night out.”

  “But it’s not fine,” she said. His parents must think she couldn’t manage the place and it was the last impression she wanted to give. That they’d think she got the job for dating Duke.

  “I’ll admit we are used to things moving faster,” Kyle said.

  “It normally does and I’m not sure what is going on. I apologize for not realizing it myself, but I’ll find out now.”

  “Don’t worry,” Karen said.

  “I hope you enjoy your food, it will be out quickly. I’ll make sure of it.” She walked toward the bar and found Heather standing there tapping her foot. “What is going on tonight? Why are things slow?”

  Heather looked around. “There is drama back there.”

  “Why didn’t anyone tell me?” she asked.

  Heather shrugged. “I think people are afraid to.”

  “They shouldn’t be,” she said. “Table sixteen are Duke’s parents and sister. They’ve been waiting forty minutes.”

  “Crap,” Heather said. “I had no idea.”

  “It shouldn’t matter, as you need to treat everyone the same whether they are his family or not. And you do. So it’s not a problem. I did get a complaint from customers on the wait time for food and that is what prompted me to come back and talk to them and seek you out.”

  “I’m sorry,” Heather said. “I’ll let you know next time. We just aren’t used to having someone here we can talk to since Duke took over. One of your parents was normally here.”

  She hated to say this to Duke but was going to have to. She was surprised she didn’t realize it before, that at times the staff felt there was a free for all.

  She opened the door to the kitchen and saw Beth arguing with one of the line cooks. “What’s going on back here?”

  “Nothing,” Beth said. “Michele can’t figure out how to plate things and it doesn’t matter how many times I’m showing her, she can’t get it.”

  Hadley looked at the new employee’s face. Michele had been employed about a week and she hadn’t heard one word of a complaint yet. “Everything okay, Michele?”

  “Yes,” Michele said. “Just learning. I guess I’m making some mistakes.”