Christmas at the Restaurant - Pamela M. Kelley Page 0,42

played a good mix of music, and they all danced after a fantastic dinner. Stacy and Gina visited the dessert station, helping themselves to chocolate mousse and cappuccino while the guys all went outside to smoke a cigar and drink cognac.

Finally, around midnight, Cory and Hannah said goodbye and that was the signal for everyone else to leave. Alex had a wonderful time bonding with his work colleagues. Gina could see him following in Todd and Jim’s footsteps. He had their same enthusiasm and drive. She wondered about Stacy’s husband, John, if he fit in as well. He was much quieter, but Alex said he was gifted with numbers, so she hoped he’d do well with the company too.

Alex stumbled a bit as they walked outside and Gina was glad she’d been careful with what she drank. The valet went for her car and she drove them home. Alex was still on a high and chatted non-stop as they drove.

“Aren’t those guys awesome? That’s going to be me soon. A two-million-dollar bonus and a house right on the beach. And a Porsche! I can get the Porsche now. I’ll lease it. Sure, it’ll be expensive, but it’s worth it.”

“That sounds nice, Alex.” All the talk of money got boring after a while. It was all the guys seemed to talk about. Gina pulled into Alex’s driveway.

“Well, thank you for inviting me. It was a fun party.”

“It was!”

He leaned over to kiss her goodnight, and she turned her head at the smell of alcohol on his breath. His kiss landed on the side of her mouth, and he pulled back quickly. “Goodnight, Gina.”

She waited until he was safely inside before driving off. It had been an interesting and eye-opening night. She’d gotten a much better sense of what Alex and his life would be like, and it was a world that she wasn’t eager to be part of. He was a nice enough guy, but he wasn’t the one for her.

Chapter 16

On her way to work the next night, Gina found herself feeling both nervous and excited to see Jared. She felt a shift in her feelings toward him and hoped that he felt the same.

The restaurant was busy when she arrived. Mandy was at the front desk and showed her the reservations book before she headed to the bar. When she glanced at the bar, she saw that almost all of the seats were full, which was unusual for the time of day.

“Hey, Gina. Looks like it’s going to stay busy tonight. Lunch was steady and we’re almost fully booked with reservations from five onward,” Mandy said.

Jared stopped by once for sodas for him and Paul, but Gina was too busy to say more than hello. It wasn’t until the end of the night over after-shift drinks that she had a chance to really talk to him.

He didn’t ask her about what she’d done the night before, so she brought it up.

“I went to Alex’s company Christmas party last night at the Whitley Hotel.”

Jared’s eyes clouded over. After a long moment, he spoke. “Fancy place. Was it a good time?”

“It was fun,” she admitted and noticed a muscle in his jaw tense. “But, I won’t be going out with Alex again.”

“No?”

“He’s a nice guy, but he’s not for me. That world isn’t for me. He’s about to buy a Porsche. I drive a Jetta. I like my Jetta.”

He smiled. “And I like my Jeep.”

“It’s a much more practical car for Nantucket,” she agreed.

The others joined them at the bar—Gina, Billy, Emma and Paul and a few of the waitresses. Billy had them all laughing as he usually did. About an hour or so later, when everyone was ready to go home, Jared walked her to her car.

“What are your plans for Christmas?” he asked.

“I don’t really have any. Mandy told me I’m welcome to join them, but she has a houseful of people. I thought I’d just relax at home. Why?”

“Why don’t you come to my house? It’s only me and my mother and I’m cooking. I’d love to cook for you too. It will be fun.”

Gina was very tempted. “Are you sure she won’t mind?”

“Yes, I’m sure. My mom will love you.”

“Okay. I’ll come. What can I bring?”

“Nothing. Well, maybe a bottle of wine if you want, something red.”

“I can do that.”

Gina picked up an extra shift, working Tuesday night which was usually her night off, because they added a last-minute Christmas party. She didn’t mind doing it. Customers