“Then why won’t you let me go?”
“I’m not stopping you from coming to the restaurant, Licia. I just don’t want you to think you have to work. You were barely out of the hospital before you got sick. I feel like this is our fault for putting too much stress on you. It might be too soon to work. Marquette’s can get hectic.”
“You’re being overprotective. I worked six days a week from the time I woke up until after four in the morning. I’m not a stranger to work.”
They arrived in their bedroom, and Stefan set down the tray. “Eat, please.”
She didn’t move. “If you don’t take me, I’m calling a cab or a taking a bus. If you don’t talk to Creed for me, I’m going to ask him for a job myself. So you can let me suffer the humiliation when he turns me down just to get back at me.”
Stefan frowned. “I won’t let him get away with that!”
She grinned. “Good, so I’m going to shower and get dressed. Wait for me.”
He sighed. “Fine. Eat first.”
Talicia gave in to the meal, vowing to grab a cheeseburger from somewhere later. She rushed to get ready so not to keep the two men waiting, and soon they arrived at Marquette’s. Her stomach tumbled all over the place, but she told herself no matter what anyone said, she wouldn’t swing on them. If she was going to change their minds about her, then she had to act like a professional.
Talicia stood in the lobby while Stefan walked back to talk to Creed. She took her time moving farther into the restaurant, rubbing her arms while she looked around. They arrived in the thick of things when guests were constantly coming and going. Waitresses and waiters zipped about, taking orders and refilling drinks.
A low buzz rose above the crowd, and over it the music played. Talicia scanned the dining room to spot a man playing a baby grand. His fingers tickled the ivories with skill, and while she didn’t have any knowledge of music other than what she did and didn’t like, she imagined he couldn’t touch Stefan’s ability.
Across the room, she spotted an arm waving and a big grin and rolled her eyes. What the heck was Tyjon doing here? Then she figured he was probably taking advantage of being an in-law. Great. She was trying not to look like she was using Stefan for his money, but her brother ate at the restaurant probably every chance he got. She knew without a doubt Stefan would have made sure he never paid.
“Hey, beautiful.” Duke whisked by with a wink and a smile, but he kept moving as he led someone to their table. She was glad he kept going.
The kitchen door opened, and Creed appeared. All of a sudden, she felt like she was having the relapse Stefan was so worried about. Get it together, Licia.
He arrived in front of her. “I hear you’d like a job. I can let you start on a trial run right now if you think you can handle it.”
Talicia looked pointedly at the bruise on his chin, and he reddened. “Just give me an apron.”
He eyed her up and down. She’d forgotten she had hoped to work tonight. If she was honest, she’d admit she chose the skirt because it looked more feminine than what she had worn the last time. He’d called her unladylike, and she didn’t usually rise to people’s ugly opinions. However, her feelings were most hurt because of how she felt about herself and because it was Stefan’s family.
“There’s probably a uniform or two in the back,” he said. Karey will show you.” Creed gestured to one of the waitresses, and Talicia watched in amazement as a waiter saw Creed’s signal and relieved Karey of the plate she carried all in a heartbeat. They exchanged a few brief words, and the guy was off while Karey approached Talicia and Creed. Damn, he drove a precise ship.
By the time Creed turned from Karey to her, Talicia had schooled her features. He didn’t need to know she admired his work. Her intent was to impress him with the fact that she wasn’t a wild animal.
“So you’re Stefan’s wife,” Karey said when they were in the locker room. “I can’t believe it. No one knew he was married.”
Talicia stiffened, but the woman turned away and opened a cabinet. She dug through several pairs of black pants and white shirts. They appeared brand new. After a few minutes, Karey pulled out two pairs of pants and handed them to Talicia. Her smile never wavered.
“It’s good to meet you, Mrs. Marquette. Is it okay if I call you Talicia?”
Talicia blinked. “Um, you can call me Licia if you want.”
“Great, and you can call me Karey or Kare. I wasn’t sure of your size, but these two are the smallest we have. You don’t have to worry about them being gross or anything. They’re practically new because the temp girl who wore them was terrible, and she was let go after like an hour. What a nightmare. Plus, they’ve been washed.”
Talicia laughed. “So it gets pretty lively around here?”
“Oh yeah. You came at the right time. Tonight, Stefan is supposed to sing, but you’ve heard him sing before. He’s so dreamy. All the ladies—uh—”
“It’s fine, Karey. I know, and yes, I’ve heard him sing. He’s something special.”
“That’s why you married him, right?” She smacked Talicia’s arm in her excitement, and then left to give her time to change. Talicia chose the smallest of the pairs of pants to pull on and sighed. They were a couple sizes too big and were baggy on her. The smallest shirt hung like drapes. She did the best she could, tucking it all in and belting the pants with the belt she’d worn with her skirt.
When she straightened her arms, the sleeves fell a couple inches past her fingertips. She rolled them up and tied on an apron. Well, here went nothing. Either the animosity would end tonight, or they would all have a stalemate and it would take some time. Either way, no one would look down on her at the end of the shift. She would serve the hell out of those customers and leave them all smiling and happy.
“Okay, Licia, your tables are right here, three and four. You’ll take the order and let the servers deliver the food,” Karey explained. “No need to seat anyone. The hosts will take care of that.”
Talicia frowned, looking where Karey indicated. “Three and four? Just two tables? Surely, each person is responsible for more than that.”
Karey held up her hands. “Sorry, I have my instructions. I give you two tables and that’s all.”
“Who gave that order?”
“That’s what Creed said.”
Talicia clenched her hands at her sides. Did he trust her so little he didn’t want to risk her screwing up too many orders? The way he spoke to her, she would have thought he’d get off on making sure she was overwhelmed and therefore messed up. When she turned in the direction of the kitchen, she spotted Stefan. Then she knew the truth. That bum had convinced Creed not to let her take on too much. Jeez, he acted like she was made of freaking glass.
Talicia had spent the time she and Stefan were married away from him. Now, she was starting to get to know more about the man he was. Well, he could forget about her falling into line with his plans, that’s for sure.
“Don’t worry about me, Karey,” she said. Talicia whipped the floor plan out of the woman’s hands and studied it. “I’m assuming you’re responsible for this area from here to here, filling in for the missing girl?”
“I am, but another temp is coming in a little bit. Turnover in this business is outrageous.”
“I know.” Talicia handed the sheet back. “I’m taking over five and six along with the ones you gave me already until she gets here. You can argue about it, but I need to take orders. Those folks look hungry.”
Talicia left Karey standing there with her mouth hanging open. She was lucky there was a gap in the help she could fill in, and arriving guests kept Karey from tattling on her right away.
“Good evening, everyone.” Talicia smiled at the guests at table seven. “I’m Licia, and I’ll be happy to be your server. How is everyone doing tonight?”
The chorus of voices washed over her, and she took down their requests. There were a few moments of awkwardness because she had no idea of the menu other th
an the specials for the evening.
Talicia paused, pen poised above her notepad. “You know what, I’m not sure about that, but I’m going to check immediately for you. We can figure something out.”
She was about to turn when a hand touched her lower back. Craning her neck, she looked up into the gentle eyes of her husband. “Can I help?”
Talicia’s heart banged against her ribs. The women around her tittered and greeted him by name. She wasn’t surprised, nor did it rile her. Stefan had the answers she sought, but he wasn’t wearing an apron. After they were done, he followed her as they left the table.
“You’re handling four tables, Licia?”
“And I’m doing a bang-up job too.”
One side of his mouth turned up. “You’re so modest.”
“Of course. Anyway, you’re not serving? I thought you waited tables like Damen.”
“I do, but not tonight. I’m singing. Will you come up and let me serenade you?”
“Heck no.”
He looked disappointed, and she left him standing there to return to work. All the same, her attention kept straying to where he was, and she knew the moment he took over the piano from the man who had been performing up until then.
A different hum rippled through the crowd as soon Stefan sat down. She peered around at the rapt faces, and pride rose inside for her husband. Stefan was a born entertainer, and no one was immune to him when he played.
The kitchen door swung wide and fast, and the boy she had spotted the other day came rushing into the dining room. His gaze locked on Stefan, and then he scanned the room. When he spotted her, he hurried toward her. What was that about? The door opened again, and at a more leisurely pace, the young girl strolled over.
“Hey, Aunt Licia,” the boy said. “Do you know me? I’m Gideon. We saw you the other day after you fought—”
She covered his mouth, rolling her eyes. “Yes, Gideon. I remember. I assume you’ve been told about me. You don’t have to call me Aunt Licia.”
“If I don’t show respect, Mom will lecture me.”
“Oh, well whatever then.”
The girl drew up beside them. She said nothing, but at least she didn’t cast Talicia any evil glares. The three of them looked back at Stefan as he began to sing. For a while, Talicia was caught up listening to him. When she thought she might be too obvious, she forced herself to look away. That’s when she caught the rapt expression on Gideon’s face.
“He messed up right there,” the boy muttered. “Lower. It would have been better in a lower key.”
She blinked at him. Who were these people?
“This next song,” Stefan announced into the microphone, “goes out to a very special person. She knows who she is.”
Talicia stiffened, but Stefan’s gaze swept the crowd in such a way, any woman present might think the song was for her. Well, any who didn’t have sense enough to realize it was an entertainer’s way.
When Stefan began crooning words that spoke to her heart, however, her throat closed. “I know sometimes you’re afraid and you pretend it’s not true. You’re so strong and so fragile at the same time, but I’m here. Look at me. I’m here.”
She sucked in a breath and spun on her heel to hurtle toward the exit. All she could think about was getting outside to the fresh air. Unfortunately, the humidity of the night hit her hard in the face as soon as she opened the front door. She kept moving and shoved the door shut. Stefan’s voice snuffed out, and Talicia managed to calm down a little.
“He wasn’t singing to me,” she whispered. Stefan composed music all the time. That was his nature, and he wouldn’t be any good if he didn’t write lyrics that spoke to the heart. Still, she found herself blinking, trying to keep the tears in check. Why the hell was she getting so weepy lately?
She moved a little way down the walk to the end of the building and leaned on the wall. Shutting her eyes, she concentrated on evening out here breaths. If she didn’t get back in there, Creed would say she shirked her responsibilities, and he would have an excuse to fire her. Then the work she had done over the last few hours would be for nothing.
Talicia shook herself and turned to head back inside, but a man, who appeared out of nowhere blocked her path.
Chapter Thirteen
“Hey, baby girl, want to have some fun?” The man blew a ball of hot, stinky breath in her face.
Talicia recoiled. She was about to shove him away because he was standing too close, and it looked like he was about to topple over onto her. A hand snaked out from behind the man and landed on his shoulder. “Careful, pal. You don’t want to fall.”
Of all the people who could have come out it had to be Duke. She started around the man, but he didn’t want to give up on her. He reached out to grab her arm, but Duke stepped forward, smiling at her.
“Licia, we should get to know each other better,” Duke said, flirty as he moved closer to her. Somehow his elbow caught with the man’s stomach. Talicia frowned. The impact seemed accidental, even casual. Yet, the drunkard doubled over, crying out in pain. For just an instant, Talicia thought he raised angry, hateful eyes to Duke. Then they went dull again, and he whined about rough characters on the street. Duke slapped him on the back. “Oh, I’m sorry, pal. So clumsy. Guess it comes from working too hard. Listen, let me buy you a cheeseburger.”
“Duke.” Talicia pulled at his arm, but it was like steel. “You’re squeezing his neck too hard.”
“No, he’s fine. So how about that cheeseburger?”
The man managed to shake off Duke’s hold and semi-straightened. “No way. I don’t like the food at Marquette’s. Too expensive and too fancy.”
With that the guy wandered off down the street, wobbling side to side as he went. Talicia stared after him shaking her head. Duke stood in silence beside her, and she felt his gaze on her face, but she ignored him. When she started to go inside, his voice stopped her.
“We’re right in front of the restaurant, but you shouldn’t venture outside alone.”
His tone was deadly serious, and when she glanced at him, his eyes were hard. She swallowed. This was the smartass she’d met, and she realized there was a lot more to him than she first believed.
“He was drunk, but I could have handled him.”
Duke’s slow grin resurfaced, and his eyes softened. “Yeah, I bet you could. After you slugged my cousin, I have a whole new respect for you.”
“Is anyone going to let me live that down?”
“You’re famous.”
She swore.
“And such a potty mouth. What a combo with my sweet cousin Stefan, who wouldn’t dream of cursing in front of a lady. I would love to hear the story of how you two met. Let me take you out.”
“No, thank you.” She headed back to the door but called over her shoulder. “And don’t think you can charm me into anything with you either.”
“Because I don’t have any money?”
She stopped again and whirled around. “Excuse me?”
“Down girl. I don’t care to experience that left hook.”
Talicia glowered at him. “I doubt I could get a hit on you. The elbow to the stomach back there. That wasn’t an accident. You meant to hurt that man.”
“Are you calling me a bully?”
“I’ve known a few.”
“Were you bullied, Licia?”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m also not having a heart to heart with you. I don’t know what your game is, but I’m not buying, Duke. Please bother someone else.”
“You break my heart, Licia.”
“Stop saying my name so much!” He was really pissing her off. Nothing she said got to him.
He threw his head back and burst out laughing. Talicia’s fingers itched to wipe the smile off his face but no more fighting Stefan’s family under any circumstances. She had made the vow to herself, and she would keep it.
After an eternity, Duke pulled himself together. “I like you. You have fire. For what it’s
worth—and I’m guessing very little—I can tell you’re not a gold digger.”
“You’re right. It’s worth less than zero.” She lied. Duke didn’t hate her, and it seemed like the kids didn’t either. This was progress. Sure, it shouldn’t matter because when the dust settled and she got her insurance money, she would be gone. Despite that, she couldn’t suppress the hope that her connection with Stefan would continue. Wanting them all to at the least accept her wouldn’t die either. “I have to get inside. I’ve been out here long enough, and Creed will think I ran off.”
“Ah, impressing the big dog. If you like, I can tell you how to do it.”
Talicia jerked the door open and walked inside. As soon as she passed the threshold with Duke crowding too close behind her, she spotted Creed heading their way. Her stomach curled up into a ball. She swallowed and took another step in his direction, but Duke shouldered past and blocked her view.
“Cousin, I have to talk to you about something,” Duke said, an urgent tone in his voice.
Talicia stopped walking. She willed herself to move around Duke and face the music, but she couldn’t raise her foot. Waiting for Creed to respond to Duke took years off her life for some ridiculous reason. She shouldn’t care what he thought or did.
“You’re in as much trouble as she is,” Creed said at last. “I told you no shirking your job, Duke. You wanted to stay at Marquette’s, and I gave you the chance.”
This news surprised her. So Duke wasn’t as tightly in the fold as the brothers. Then again, why would he? She recalled what he had said, that he didn’t have any money. She didn’t know his circumstances since she wasn’t up on all the Marquette business like her brother. What she thought she noticed earlier though was that Duke didn’t have a bodyguard. The brothers did, and Damen’s wife Heaven had one.
“Fine. My office, now,” Creed snapped, and the two men walked off. Talicia was happy for the reprieve, but she figured it wouldn’t be long before Creed would come back and ride her for ducking out to the street. This might be her last night. Aw well, might as well make it count.
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