Page 9 of Grade A Girl
She turns and walks through the swinging door. I can see her through the small window standing at the sink. She’s swaying her hips as she cleans up, and I’m curious as to what she’s listening to.She really is perfect.Scott comes through the front door and stops short when he sees me.
“Hey, Kade. Have you and your friend been helped?”
“Yup. We brought food for Charlie.” When he narrows his eyes at me, I correct myself. “I was an ass to her yesterday. I’m making up for it.” Jaxson snickers next to me, and I roll my eyes.
Scott smirks. “Didn’t think she could hack it because she’s a girl?” I narrow my eyes at him, but he doesn’t stop. Jaxson tenses next to me, and without looking at him, I know he wants to rip this guy's throat out. Scott’s word vomit doesn’t stop there though. “I didn’t think she would be able to do it when I first met her. She was still in her apprenticeship, but she’s a tough chick. I wouldn’t want to mess with her. She knows how to hold her own, that’s for sure.”
My jaw ticks with how tight I’ve clenched it. I grip the bag in my hand a little tighter and do my damned best to hold it together. She steps out and smiles at Jaxson and me before either of us can teach Scott a lesson.
“Scott, I’m going to go to an early lunch. If you need me, call. Otherwise, I’ll be back in an hour.”
He tells us to have fun as Charlie waves at us to follow her through the back. There’s a small picnic table behind her shop, and she takes a seat, Jaxson sliding in next to her before I can.Asshole.I place the bag down and unpack the items. I’ve made us each our own personal plates of chicken, roasted butternut squash with butter and cinnamon, and sauteed spinach with garlic and olive oil.
“I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I made one of the meals on the menu tonight.”
Charlie holds the glass dish to her nose and inhales the aroma before putting it down again. She closes her eyes and smiles. “This smells so good, Kade. I can’t wait to dig in.” She takes a bite and hums in appreciation. “So, I looked you both up last night,” she says casually, glancing between us.
I hold still and exchange looks with Jaxson, who is also waiting on bated breath.What did she uncover?I rack my brain, thinking about what she could have learned about me. Was it about the restaurant, or aboutme? It couldn’t be too bad; otherwise, I don’t think she would be having lunch with me.
Charlie continues telling us both how she found a few articles aboutLocal Burnand how it’s awesome I only hire veterans. I can’t help the smirk that crosses my face, and how in awe she seems. She also tells us about finding Jaxson’s social media accounts, and that’s how she put two and two together that we’re friends.
The conversation is flowing amongst us. She asks us questions about our jobs and lives, and we do the same, getting to know her a little bit more. Everything is going great until she asks the last question I expected to hear from her soft-looking lips.
“Who’s Blair?”