Christmas at the Restaurant - Pamela M. Kelley Page 0,25

way out when Jill and Billy arrived at the restaurant. She’d worked the lunch shift and was going out to dinner with Matt and his friend Kevin and his date.

“Whoever that is, he didn’t say. I have no idea who Kevin’s dating now. He’s Matt’s best friend and he said he hasn’t gone on a date in ages.”

“Well, have fun,” Jill said. “You can tell us all about it when we get home.”

“Thanks. Here’s the reservations book. We’re steady but there’s room for some last-minute reservations or walk-ins.” She turned it around so Billy and Emma who had walked over, could see.

“Great, we’re on it,” Billy said.

Jill made her way over to the bar where Gina had just arrived and was tying her apron around her waist. She helped Gina stock the bar for the night, made sure they had plenty of ice, changed a beer keg, and cut more fruit for garnishes.

Once they were all set, Jill poured herself a glass of water and leaned against the bar while Gina fished around in her apron for an elastic band and pulled her hair into a ponytail.

“So, how’s it going with that guy you went on the date with? Mandy said you had a good time.”

“With Alex? We did. We went to the movies this afternoon too and next Friday I’m going to his company’s Christmas party.”

“Wow, so you really like this guy, then?”

Gina hesitated. “I think so. It’s not that big of a deal going to his company party though. I think he just needed a date and didn’t want to go alone. I am curious to check out the place they are having it though. It’s at the Whitley, have you been there?”

Jill nodded. “Yes, Cory always has his Christmas parties there. It’s very exclusive and expensive and he likes everyone to know that. Mandy used to go every year and she took me one year when I was visiting. I’m sure you’ll have a great time—he pulls out all the stops.”

“It’s that fancy, huh? I might need to go shopping. I haven’t worn a cocktail dress since I moved here and very rarely before that.”

“That will be fun. I’d get a little black dress, something you can wear again. You can’t go wrong with that. Or actually with your hair, a red dress would be gorgeous.”

Two older ladies came into the bar and Jill went over to help them. They both ordered vodka martinis with a twist and the broiled scrod with Newburg sauce, which was on Paul’s new prix fixe menu.

“Our friend Charlotte was in here last week, and she raved about these new specials you have. They are a great deal,” one of the ladies said as Jill jotted down their order.

“I think so too,” she agreed. “That comes with your choice of clam chowder or Caesar salad.”

“Chowder for me.”

“And salad for me,” the other lady said.

Jill punched their order into the computer and went into the kitchen to get hot rolls and butter for them.

It was still early and not busy yet in the kitchen, so as Jill was filling a basket with rolls, she told Paul that her two customers came in because their friend loved the new menu and they both ordered from it too.

“That’s good to hear. Tell them they’re going to have a tough choice for dessert. Jared made a key lime creme brûlée that is fantastic and we have a new flourless chocolate lava cake scented with orange. That’s good too.”

Jills stomach rumbled. “I might need to try those…so I can accurately describe them to customers.”

Paul laughed. “I’ll make a sample tasting plate for you and Gina so you can both try. Hold on.” He put a slice of the chocolate cake and a small round ramekin of the key lime creme brûlée on a plate and added a dollop of fresh whipped cream to both desserts. “Here you go.”

“Thank you!” Jill took the plate of desserts and basket of rolls and headed back to the bar. They still only had the two ladies for customers at the bar, and after dropping their bread basket off, Jill pulled Gina into the nook behind the bar, where they kept extra stock and where they couldn’t be seen by the two ladies but where they could still see the front door and if anyone was coming toward the bar. She set the plate of desserts down. “This is from Paul. The two desserts that go with the prix fixe menu. Jared