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“Okay. I won’t.” With a self-deprecating smile, I cut around her. “Where’s the restroom in this joint?”
With a sigh, she answered, and I followed her directions to an employee’s restroom. Pleased to find it wasn’t the size of a postage stamp, I tidied my hair and gave myself a mental pep talk.
The last thing I’d wanted to do on a Friday night was helping my sister cater a wedding rehearsal dinner. I had nothing against weddings. And I adored my sister. But every time I pulled on the server’s black outfit, it reminded me of how much my own business was failing.
“Not failing,” I told the woman in the mirror. But judging by the expression in the dark blue eyes, she didn’t buy my lie. The door swung open, and I cut off the one-sided conversation.
Stepping a few steps from the restroom into the brightly lit kitchen, so new it sparkled, I followed the sound of Dina’s voice. She did her regular pep talk with the staff. Dina hated when I called them pep talks, but what else was I supposed to call them?
As the rest of the servers dispersed, I went to stand with her.
“Are you already trying to figure out what you can sneak away in a doggy bag?” Dina gave me a sidelong look.
“Absolutely not. I’m a professional.”
“A professional pain in my ass.” But she grinned. “Don’t go sneaking food. I figured you’d be hungry, so I put together a plate for you to take home. It’s in the first refrigerator, all wrapped up.”
Throwing my arms around her, I gave her a smacking kiss on the cheek.
“You are my favorite big sister, Dina.”
“I’m your only big sister.” With a roll of her eyes, she checked her watch. “It’s time. Help me get things rolling?”
“Sure.” Linking my arm through hers, I wiggled my eyebrows. “So…you wanna lay bets on how many disasters will happen tonight?”
“Don’t.” She groaned. “The last thing we need are disasters. This gig is a great opportunity for Newt and me. Let’s not jinx it.” Dina shuddered.
* * *
“Please help me intervene?”Dina looked almost frantic.
The groom’s ex-wife complainedloudly, and I gripped my sister’s hand and squeezed. “You keep her away from the bride while I go find the kitchen manager. Otherwise, I think she’s about to get a fork through her hand.”
“She deserves it,” Dina muttered. “Showing up like this....”
Losing the rest of the conversation as she strode off, I sighed.
As much as I complained about the many hours I spent lately helping my sister, the work she provided was a godsend. I needed the money. Plus, I could help my dear sister not stress over wedding drama and party crashers.
Now, where to find the kitchen manager?
Three
Maximus
Pushing through the swinging doors,I strode into the restaurant’s kitchen, nodding at the few who looked up long enough to notice me. The catering team and my staff worked together in surprising sync, something that rarely happens.
Tantalizing scents wafted from trays as servers moved to refill empty chafing dishes in the banquet hall just down the corridor, and my pulse picked up speed when I spotted the brunette I’d glimpsed earlier.
“Excuse me?” She asked with her left hand against the swinging door, giving me a chance to take in the short, neat cut of her nails, her long, slim fingers…and the lack of a wedding ring. Even though I’d only seen a glimpse from behind earlier, I knew it was her. That voice, throaty and rich, was unmistakable.
The surrounding chatter died, and several of the staff members glanced at me.
“Is the kitchen manager around?” That sultry voice was direct and to the point. “Or the head cook?”
Maybe if she hadn’t had the most fuckable mouth I’d seen in a long while, I wouldn’t have been so distracted. But I was very, very distracted, and those full lips twisted into an annoyed frown.
“Well?” She cocked a brow as she waited for me to say something.