Page 96 of Stay With Me

“I’m not havingthetalk with him,” Samantha said firmly. “At least not until he’s back to normal and not stuck in his parents’ guest room twenty-four seven.”

“And how long will it be until that happens?”

Samantha flipped the lights off and slipped out the office doors. “I don’t know, maybe another two weeks or something.”

“Well, good. Then you have two weeks to figure out exactly what you want to say,” Jenna offered. “And maybe he’ll say something before then.”

Samantha shook her head. “We’ll see. I’ve gotta get going. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Remember, no excuses!”

“Right, Jenna.”

* * *

Samantha pushed her way through the large glass doors of the entrance to Chapman’s, made her way to the hostess’ stand, and waited for Kimberly to get off the phone.

“Hey, Samantha,” she greeted, smiling brightly. “How are you today?”

“Good. How’s it going?”

“Busy, busy, as usual,” Kimberly said, picking up the phone again. “Give me a second and I’ll get you the menus.”

Samantha casually glanced around the room as she tried not to eavesdrop on the conversation.

“Chase, Nick’s girlfriend is here for the menus. Do you have them ready?”

Samantha blushed, but chalked the girlfriend title up to workplace gossip.

Kimberly disappeared into the back of the restaurant and re-emerged a few moments later, holding a small stack of papers.

“Here you go,” Kimberly said, handing them over. “Tell Nick he doesn’t have to worry about calling this time and to text Chase with any comments or changes. And let him know we’ve got the deliveries and inventory covered. Also, the payroll has been processed and all he has to do is sign off on it. It’s in there under the menus.”

Samantha gave an impressed nod. “This place is like a well-oiled machine.”

Kimberly laughed. “It sure is. I hope he gets better soon.”

Samantha headed backward to the doors. “Me too. Thanks, Kimberly.”

* * *

Samantha lifted her hand to knock on the front door, just as Evelyn pushed her way out in a flustered hurry.

“Oh!” she exclaimed. “Hi, Sammie.”

“Hi there. Are you heading out for a bit?”

“I need to get out for a while because he’s in a mood again this afternoon.”

Samantha frowned. “Oh no.”

Evelyn’s face was drawn tight in exasperation. “I understand he’s in pain and being stuck in bed constantly is wearing on him, but I can only take so much of my thirty-year-old son acting like an eleven-year-old version of himself before I start saying things I’ll regret.”

Evelyn squeezed Samantha’s shoulders. “Good luck, dear. You usually cheer him up, but I don’t blame you if you have to drop those off and run.”

Samantha laughed politely. “You take all the time you need. I’ll stay with him until you get back.”

Evelyn gave a gracious smile. “Thank you. See you later.”