Page 6 of Catching Trouble

“I still can’t believe Sophie is twelve. When did you last see her in person?”

I rubbed the back of my neck. “Easter.”

It wasn’t as if I didn’t want to see my daughter more. Valerie made it almost impossible.

I huffed a breath, turning to Fifi. An odd look crossed her face, and she leaned in, placing her hand over the back of mine. “You know, there’s something else that could help us fill the club.”

“I’m not changing meat suppliers,” I barked. “I want our food to be impeccable. The best.”

She patted my knuckles like she was soothing a child. “Not meat, Maxi. You.”

“What do you mean?”

She studied my face. “I hate to be basic, but you’re not unattractive. You have a certain ‘allure.’ You know, you’ve got that wild, untamed Poseidon kind of thing going on.”

I dragged a hand through my hair, my stomach flatlining. I knew where this talk was going.

“I’m just saying we could capitalise on that. Onyou.”

I lifted a brow. “You mean buy me a trident and parade me around the bar?”

She ignored my attempt at humour. “I mean smile for the customers. I’m all for the broody and silent type in a movie or a romance novel, but your glare could flay skin. It’s not conducive to a relaxing beach experience.” She reached up and took my face, pinching my cheeks. “You might be pretty, but your sour face turns the customers off.”

I drew my brows tight. “What sour face?”

“Look, if you can’t bring yourself to smile more, maybe just don’t look so cross all the time.”

“I’m not cross.” I was focussed. If I could make Méduse work, I’d ask for more time with Sophie. Valerie would have no reason to refuse. I couldn’t miss my chance to know my daughter before she grew up.

“I get that you’re not actually mad, but you’ve got a serious case of resting brood face. You forget, I know you.” She grabbed my cheeks again. “I know there’s a fluffy teddy bear somewhere below that gruff exterior. But with your salty disposition, I’ll bet customers question whether you want toplease them or poison them.”

Sometimes I wasn’t sure, either.

I pushed my chair back, slapping my hands down on the table, making Fifi jump. “I’m going fishing.”

She threw her palms heavenward. “Wonderful. Run away!”=

Her harsh tone cut deep, but If I didn’t catch fish, we’d have an empty menu.

“I’ll be back in a few hours. Any requests?”

She patted the back of her hair. “See if you can get more bream, mackerel, and some of that red squid. Whatever the chef did, I haven’t stopped craving it since.”

“Of course.”

Before I could step away, she closed her hand around my wrist. “And remember to wear a shirt. You’re distracting the staff.”

I lifted a brow, and Fifi tilted her head towards the bar. The waitress stood frozen behind a stack of glasses, staring at me. Her mouth practically hung to her knees.

“Are you serious?”

My old friend ran her eyes over my bare chest, the slightest hint of a smirk on her lips. “I think it’s the tattoos. There’s only so much raw sea-god charm a girl can take, particularly at her age.”

I shook my head with a tight sigh. “I’ll see you later.”

When the smell of the sea reached my nose, I pulled in a breath. What did she mean by distracting people? I couldn’t help it if one of our employees had a crush. I didn’t have time to let anyone down gently. All I cared about was keeping the restaurant on track, especially with Sophie coming.

No. I already had enough trouble on my hands.