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“You don’t look mortally wounded, but I’m going to get—”

“Kristy,” said the girl, looking like she was about to cry.

“It’s okay, Kristy. Sir, Kristy’s going to hold this napkin on your hand and I’m going to help her with these items here.”

The girl’s hands were still shaking wildly. I went and knelt beside the girl.

“It’s okay,” I said. “You got this.” She shouldn’t have been carrying such an overloaded tray. If this were my restaurant, I’d have made sure of it.

“I’m going to get fired,” she said.

“It wasn’t your fault,” I said.

Just then, Cassandra rushed over, along with another server carrying a broom and dustpan. “Tonight, of all nights,” she said.

“Where’s the restaurant manager?” I asked, feeling protective of this young server. She looked a little like Remy, if Remy were a lot more timid and had a full head of fine blonde hair.

“We don’t have one,” she said. “It’s a whole… thing. I’m very sorry.”

Suddenly I felt for Cassandra. She was the one holding this place together, I realized. By a thread. And she probably had no experience running a resort. She probablywassupposed to be on a board somewhere in a tower in New York.

Reese had already begun piling the shards of dinnerware on the tray, expertly, so the sharp edges were pointed in. She’d also laid a cloth on the tray first. Somehow in a matter of seconds, she’d gained complete control of the situation, keeping everyone calm and preventing further injury. She’d done exactly what I would have done back when I worked in restaurants. Clearly, the staff here hadn’t been trained the same way. In fact, as I looked at them now, I realized they all seemed a little nervous. New.

“Don’t worry,” Reese said. “I’ve handled much worse.”

For a moment Cassandra stood there slightly stunned, then directed the other server to run and get something. “Thank you so much,” she said to Reese, kneeling down beside her. “But please, you don’t need to do anything else.”

“It’s fine,” Reese said. “Honestly, I’ve been here a hundred times before and I’d rather see things get done right than someone get hurt.”

The man on the ground, embarrassed, looked down at his hand. “I’m fine,” he said to Kristy and me. “It was my fault.”

He apologized profusely as we helped him to his feet, offering to pay for all the meals.

“We’re just glad you’re not seriously injured,” the manager said to him. “Take him to the front and send the spa nurse to see him please,” she told Kristy. “Call her from her room if she’s off. And offer him a voucher,” she added.

The girl looked like she was about to cry but nodded.

“It’s okay,” the manager told her. “It wasn’t your fault. It’s the damn lights, the reno— never mind. Just don’t worry, okay?”

The girl gave her boss a grateful smile before leading the man away.

It was only then that I saw all eyes in the room were on us, some people clutching their napkins to themselves in shock.

“We’re all good,” Reese said to the crowd. All of her worry over not standing out was gone, apparently, as was whatever tipsiness I thought I’d spotted before. Shoved aside to do the right thing. I was deeply impressed.

The crowd broke out in applause as Reese stood up, taking a little bow. I realized how we looked then, especially Reese, getting down and dirty in her formal wear.

“You’re in good hands with Reese,” I said, standing back up.

“She’s resurrected what could have been an absolute… well, more of a clusterfuck than it already is,” the manager said. To Reese she said, “I don’t suppose you’re looking for a job?”

Reese laughed. Then she saw the woman wasn’t joking. “I’m…” She glanced at me. “No, I’m not. But that’s very kind of you.”

“Reese,” I said, but she gave a quick smile and shake of her head.

She wouldn’t leave because of me. But she couldn’t keep working at Gastronomique, either, with how poor the management was now. The only thing absolving the quick rush of guilt I felt was knowing she couldn’t exactly work at Eli’s hotel either.

“Well, thank you so much, again,” the manager said as Reese stood. The other staffer came back and hefted the tray as we returned to our seats and the other diners finally turned away with the excitement over.