A Haught Date

by Leela Lou Dahlin

  “Here, you go.” He didn’t like the vibe she was putting out today, and although he knew the reason, he wasn’t in the mood for it. Especially if she was going to talk about Gemmi.

  She took her time fiddling around in her purse for the money to pay for her drink, and he was getting more and more annoyed.

  “Were you out with her?” She finally had her money in hand, but he knew Rosy and he knew the questions would be on the way.

  “If you are asking about Gemmi, then yes, I was out with her. Hold on, I’ll get your change.” He took her money and took a step toward the cash register.

  “No, keep it. I plan on being here for a while.” The smile she gave him had never been enticing, but it was more annoying today than before. He put her money in the register and wrote her name on the tab pad. He looked back to where she was sitting, and she waved him back over. He wanted her gone or at least sitting somewhere else, away from the bar. Her sitting here was a reminder that he had messed up with Gemmi and looking into Rosalyn’s face all night was going to drive him insane.

  “Do you want to know why Gemmi hates me so much?” Rosalyn said leaning as far as she could while still sitting in her seat with a smug look on her face.

  He wasn’t going to answer that, but maybe he could turn this in his favor get a little information. He leaned down and watched her preen under his attention.

  “She’s just crazy, and she’s always been jealous of me.”

  “Really? Why would she be jealous of you?”

  “Well, because most people find me more attractive and captivating than her and we’ve just always been at odds.” She sighed like it was such a heavy burden, but he knew she just liked his attention and was trying to make this as dramatic as possible.

  “Hmm,” he said as he stood. That didn’t sound like the Gemmi he knew, but then again this didn’t seem like the carefree Rosy he knew either. Granted, he didn’t know that much about her, but he would have been able to pick that out. Like he’d picked out the fact that Rosy was a bag full of nuts and just as salty.

  He heard Beau and True before he saw them. Those two had fun doing anything, and it just seemed to piss Alec off whenever he was in their presence.

  “Hey Cam, True’s going to work the bar tables, and I’m going to show Gemmi how to wait the back tables, so keep an eye on her.”

  “Wait…Gemmi’s here?”

  “See, I told you she was crazy. Now she’s stalking you,” Rosy said after taking a large sip of her drink.

  “She’s not stalking me. She’s my girlfriend. She must have wanted to surprise me.” He couldn’t help the smile that he could feel splitting his face. “I’m just happy she wanted to help out.”

  “I’d have helped out if you told me you needed me.” He saw Rosie’s pout and decided to try to find Gemmi.

  He found Beau and Gemmi near the kitchen going over the menu.

  “Hey, Beau can I talk to Gemmi for a minute?”

  “Dude, we just got started. Can you give us a few minutes before you snatch her away from me?”

  “It’ll just take a minute.”

  “Fine. I’m going to get her an apron and stuff. I’ll walk slowly, but I expect to start when I get back.”

  “Great…thanks, bro.”

  Watching her now was intoxicating. He led her into the kitchen, so the customers… namely Rosy wouldn’t gawk. He never knew what was going to happen when he was in the same space as Gemmi, and he’d rather not have that scrutinized.

  Her sweet scent was soft, but he could smell it over anything else and the quick pulse he saw at her throat made him want to put his mouth there. He moved closer to prove to himself she was actually here.

  “I guess you’ve signed up to help us while we find out some extra helpers and Beau’s out of the mix.” She was looking everywhere, but at him, and he had to admit to himself at least that he liked her looking at him. He wanted her to see him—only him—and, that fact alone shook him to his core.

  “True asked me to do this. I’m not trying to…” She stopped talking when he put his hand on her chin to tilt her face up to his.

  “I know. I just wanted to say thank you for your help. Also, thank you for saving me a trip. I was going to have to wrestle your address away from True so I could come and find you. I could have called, but I thought I’d have a better chance if I talked to you face to face.”

  “I don’t want to talk about last night. Let’s just act like it didn’t happen?” Her pleading eyes told him he should be happy for this strange twist of fate because he would have had a tough time getting her to talk to him.

  “For now… sure.” He moved from her chin to her cheek, stroking and enjoying her soft skin and the way she leaned into his touch. “Don’t hesitate to tell me if you need help or if the guys get too rowdy for you.”

  “I think I’ll be able to handle myself.” She snapped her head up like she’d broken out of a trance.

  She didn’t see herself like he saw her. That was certain. Maybe working here would give her some appreciation for what men thought about her and her attractiveness. He knew the guys tonight would be appreciative. He wasn’t looking forward to seeing how much.

  “Alright, I’ll bet Beau is just waiting outside that door not wanting to interrupt, but it won’t last long. He’s got the patience of a puppy dog.”

  When they came out of the kitchen Beau was standing there with True, and Rosy had turned around in her seat to watch the display. He had the idea Rosy was going to make his attempt to spend the time here at work with Gemmi difficult.

  ***

  It seemed like Rosalyn popped up everywhere she went, but she couldn’t really complain about this one. Gemmi had been told she came practically every day to see her “boyfriend” so she should have expected to see Camden leaning down into Rosalyn’s face like they were sharing secrets.

  She said she’d help and she would. This, if nothing else, would remind her how unattainable Camden was.

  “Ready to start?” Beau handed her the apron that said The Haught Spot, and a pen and pad of paper.

  “Yes.” She gave a large smile to Beau and could see why this place stayed packed. With Camden’s charm and Beau’s flirty vibe, women should have been here in droves, but it was a mixed crowd. She’d never been a waitress, but she could now scratch this experience off her bucket-list.

  Beau knew how to make this job fun. He introduced her as he showed her the basics. She enjoyed talking to him and the other customers while getting orders. Beau didn’t have the same coloring or facial features as Camden even though he was a beautiful man in his own right. His hair was darker than his brother's, and his eyes were a light green.

  He was a man who looked like a good time and how to bring you into the good time with him. Who knew she’d have this much fun and get fabulous tips too.

  The worst part of the experience was getting drinks from Camden, and watching Rosalyn hanging on to his every word. He was speaking to everyone at the bar, but the way she was looking you’d think he was talking to her specifically.

  “Come back here, Gemmi. I want to introduce you to some of the regulars who sit at the bar.”

  To their credit, these ladies looked interested in meeting her, well, everyone except the woman who already knew her.

  “Cam’s been so distracted this evening. He can barely keep his eyes off you. This man can remember four or five drinks at a time and can talk through filling orders, but his mind is split between what he’s doing and what you’re doing. We wanted to meet the woman who could do that,” said the busty brunette with the large margarita

  “I don’t know about that.”

  “She’s modest. Don’t try to scare her. I’m glad she wanted to help out.” The arm around her waist and the hostility that was coming from her right was a bit much. The air-conditioned room should have kept her cool, but she felt hot and nauseated. Camden seemed to notice her predicament.

  “Give me a minute, ladies. Alec take o
ver for me, I’ll be back in ten,” he said as he walked her back to the door that connected the kitchen to the bar.

  The bright lights of the kitchen hurt her eyes after they’d been acclimated to the dimness of the bar and lounge area.

  “What’s the matter?” His sweet voice was a little like the sultry voice so then her body had to respond adding arousal with the other she already had.

  “I just got a little light headed.”

  “Have you eaten anything?” She felt silly with him fussing over her.

  “I’m fine, Camden. Go on back out there.” He sat her at the small table by the door and walked over to see what had been prepared.

  “Not until I see you eat something.” He pulled a chicken fingers and fries basket out of rotation.

  “Hey! That’s my order,” the cook growled.

  “So make another one.” He held up the order and walked over to get the ketchup and a bottle of water which he brought to the table.

  The aroma of the chicken and fries made her stomach growl. “Maybe I was a little hungry.”

  “You can eat here before your shift or during your shift if you don’t eat at home.”

  She inhaled the chicken while he sat and watched.

  “I really am able to eat without supervision.”

  “I’m enjoying myself,” he said, watching her with a comfortable smile. He looked like he wasn’t going anywhere.

  “Watching someone eat while you’re on your break?”

  “Yes. Why not? I like a woman who takes pleasure in her food.” How he could make stuffing your face with chicken and fries sound like she was wrestling in chocolate pudding was beyond her.

  “You were right. I feel much better and I’m ready to go back out. Thanks for feeding me,” she said as she finished her water, grateful for his thoughtfulness.

  “No problem.”

  He put her plate in a large plastic tub and threw away her plastic bottle, and she waited for him to open the door. He turned and pulled her into his arms, she loved being in his arms, but she was confused by his behavior.

  “I’d like to talk to you when you’re done tonight.”

  “Won’t we be done around the same time?”

  “I may be fifteen or twenty minutes longer, but I wanted you to wait for me.”

  “True drove me here so if I wait you’d have to give me a ride home.”

  The smile he returned was wicked. “I’ll give you a ride to wherever you want to go.” His pupils dilated leaving a sliver of gray visible that was the last thing she noticed before his lips began their sweet assault.

  The kiss wasn’t the frantic one from the night before this one held a promise of something elusive and dangerous. She was just about to run her fingers through his hair and hold him to her, because the flitting kiss made her want something more substantial, but the door opened, and Gemmi jumped away from Camden.

  “If you’re done with the peep show, I could use a little help,” Alec said with his raspy voice. He looked like an older Camden just as beautiful, but he must have been in an accident because he had a scar that went from his hairline to his chin. The damage cut through his eye and dissected both lips near the corner of his mouth. It should have made him look disfigured or unattractive, but it made him look dangerous and maybe a bit intimidating.

  “Sorry,” Gemmi said and rushed back into the kitchen to wash her hands and pick up her new chicken basket for her table.

  “Gemmi, right?” said Alec lightening up a bit. “I’ve heard a lot about you from True. Thanks for helping out.”

  “Yeah, so be nice,” Camden said and led her out of the kitchen. “Don’t get on her. That was my fault.” A gruff sounding Camden said to his brother. “Wait for me, Gemmi.”

  “I will,” she answered and hurried back to her job.

  The rest of the night flew by with orders of food and drinks coming in and out. When she’d heard the announcement for ‘Last call for alcohol’ she was happy she was almost done. Her feet were killing her. Her shoes were cute, but not right for this job. She’d remember to bring her sneakers next time.

  “Hey, Gemmi sit down with us. Your work is done now. They just wait for the riff raft to clear out.” The table full of well-dressed men made space for her at the table. Camden was looking for her and was right behind her.

  “Hey, Gemmi, can you help me with something?”

  “Sure,” she turned back to her table full of businessmen. “Sorry guys, maybe another time.”

  “Not likely,” she thought she heard Camden mumble as he walked her to the bar.

  Chapter 8

  “Are you ready to go?” He was good at that sneaking up behind her and startling her with that sexy voice. She wondered if that was one of the tricks he used that made him so attractive. Heaven knew she couldn’t keep her mind off him.

  She nodded, and he opened the door for them to exit the building.

  Once they were in the car she started, “I know Rosalyn was in there, but you don’t have to put up a front at your job. You didn’t have to tell everyone I was your girlfriend.”

  “You’re right, I don’t have to tell anyone anything, but I didn’t mind doing it.” His finger curled around the steering wheel but kept his eyes on the road. “I didn’t like the way Rosy glared at you.”

  “So you were protecting me?”

  “I just didn’t like the way she was treating you. I wanted everyone to be nice to you. I appreciate what you and True are doing. We seriously need the help.” He squeezed the steering wheel again, and she got the impression something was off. He seemed…nervous maybe? “Are you hungry?”

  “Are you trying to change the subject with food?”

  “Whatever works.”

  She liked spending time with him, and she liked that he was honest. He did a good job making her feel cherished, but she would have to remember that this was just a game. He was playing a role, and he was a good actor. “No, thanks.”

  He pulled out of the lot and concentrated on the traffic. Her eyes were dry and heavy. She put her head on the rest for just a second.

  “Here we are, Sleeping Beauty.” She lifted her head when she heard his voice, shocked that she’d gone to sleep.

  “This isn’t my house.”

  “I know. It’s mine.” Now she knew why he looked slightly sheepish when they got in the car.

  “I don’t know about this. I thought we were going to talk.”

  “We are. I didn’t want to talk at the restaurant, and I wasn’t sure you’d invite me into your home, so I thought we could talk quietly here.”

  “Oh…okay.” She couldn’t find the logic in this, but she was too tired to fight it.

  The house was like she remembered, but she got to see more of it this time. They made it all the way through the kitchen, the dining room and to the TV room. The rooms were huge and decorated in an interesting mix of well made, old school furniture and modern appliances and decorations. It was more of a home than a house. One where a big family with lots of children lived.

  “This is a big house for one person.” She loved the familial feel of the house. It certainly wasn’t the bachelor pad she had expected.

  “It’s my grandparent’s home. They left it to all of us, but Alec wanted to live above the restaurant and Beau wanted to live in a condo, so I kept the house and we have family dinners and gatherings here.”

  “It’s just you and your brothers?”

  “Yes. My mother and father were both only children, so there isn’t anyone else.”

  “When did your parents pass away?” She could tell from the way his face changed that was not a question he wanted to answer.

  “It’s been a while,” he said quickly and then headed deeper into the house. “Would you like something to drink?”

  “I’m not a big drinker especially this time of night. It’s almost three AM, so if you want to talk tonight it better be quick. Wait. Do you have coffee?”

  “Yes, I’ll make some.”
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  “I thought you didn’t like that particular beverage.”

  “I don’t, but everyone stops by this place, so I have some. Come on back to the kitchen while I make it.”

  She followed him, observing his graceful movements as he turned on the radio on the counter, and put the coffee and water in the coffee maker. She leaned against the door fascinated by all that was Camden then he turned to her. “Let’s dance.”

  “It’s almost three in the morning?”

  “It’s never too late to dance,” he said and took her hand off the counter placing it around his neck as he pulled her into his embrace. He was a great dancer moving her around the kitchen with a slow sway that brought their bodies together. She loved being close to him. He looked down into her face seeming to take in every feature, and a feeling of enchantment came over her. Damn her and her love of a good fairy tale, because that’s what this seemed like it was to her. He focused on her eyes as the song ended, and he gave her a sweet kiss that should have felt innocent, but it didn’t. It was the small sexy smile he gave her when he lifted his head that made her breath hitch.

  A fast song pop song came on, and the two of them danced around the kitchen trying to make the other laugh with outlandish moves. By the time the song was over, the hot beverage was finished brewing and she was all tuckered out. He settled her at the breakfast bar then went to over to the counter to prepare her drink.

  “I think it’s too late to chat, and I’m pretty tired. I’m usually all tucked in by now. Why don’t you take me home and we’ll have this heart-to-heart conversation tomorrow?”

  “That’s what I was going to talk to you about,” he said as he poured her drink into a very large mug.

  That made her ears perk up. “Are you changing your mind…do you no longer want to do this?”

  “I can see the anxiety written all over you so let me get to my point quickly. With you helping at the bar and us being short of staff there isn’t going to be a lot of time to learn about each other.” He walked over and stood next to her stool, handed her the hot mug, and slid the sugar and cream over to her.