Kickstart My Heart (Burgers and Brew Crue #1) - Lacey Black Page 0,12
gentleman in a worn flannel and bib overalls. I head for our ordering point in the middle of the bar. Even though he’s speaking with the customer, I feel his eyes on me.
The moment I stop at the counter, he pushes off and heads my way. “I need a Jack and Coke, Coors Light, Summer Ale draft, and a Miller Lite, please,” I spit out as soon as he stops in front of me. Walker doesn’t move to fill my order, and when I glance up, I find his eyes intently watching me. “What?”
“You okay?” he asks, those blue eyes filled with concern.
“Yeah, why?”
He lifts one shoulder. “You’re out of breath and all frazzled.”
“Oh,” I reply with an awkward chuckle. “I’m fine. Just my first set of tables by myself.”
Walker gives me the slightest grin. “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine,” he says, reaching down and grabbing a glass. I watch as he makes the mixed drink, pours the draft beer, and grabs the two bottles from the cooler. “Here ya go.”
“Thank you,” I reply, carefully lifting the tray up off the counter.
“Anytime, Mal.”
Again, I feel his eyes on my body like a caress as I walk away, but I push that out of my mind as I head back to my table. He’s completely unnerving me. I definitely didn’t have this problem yesterday when Jillian was behind the bar.
Once I deliver the four drinks and take their orders, I check on my first table, and find a third table being seated. I’m busy enough that I don’t give Walker another thought for a while. Well, not until the table of four unruly guys decides they need another round. As I’m turning to leave their table, the one who asked for my number drags his hand across my ass. It could easily be accidental, but the way all four of them snicker, I know it was anything but.
I head into the bar, and Walker is already waiting for me. “Same. Coors Light, Miller Lite, Summer Ale draft, and Jack and Coke,” I reply, but realize it’s not necessary. He’s already filling the order before I have it all out. “Thank you.”
Before I lift the tray, he reaches out a hand and places it on my arm. “Those guys giving you trouble?” There’s something in his tone that gives me pause. When I glance up, I see he’s watching them and the corners of his mouth are tight.
“Oh, uh, no. I got it.”
He gazes back at me. “If you’re sure,” he says.
Swallowing hard, I confirm, “I’m sure.”
Walker nods once and moves his hand, letting me get back into the restaurant. I deliver the drinks, careful to stay away from any wandering hands, and head over to the kitchen to wait for my orders. I don’t have to wait long, and my first table’s food is ready moments later. I slip their plates on my tray and head for where the couple is waiting.
“Here ya go,” I state, setting each plate down on the table. “Would you like any ketchup or anything else?”
“Ketchup would be great, dear,” the woman says.
I notice their glasses are right at half-empty, so I return a minute later with a bottle of ketchup and a pitcher of water. And this is how the next thirty minutes goes. I only have to ask Gigi one question while totaling the couple’s check, and I’m easily able to manage my lunch tables.
By the time the foursome of guys have had a third drink and their plates are empty, I stop by to collect their empty dishes. “Can I get you guys anything else?” I ask, clearing the table.
“I don’t remember seeing your number,” the guy I now know as Tommy replies with a grin. It’s a decent grin. Straight, white teeth on display with full lips, but it does nothing for me, not even the slightest hitch in my heartbeat. Definitely not after seeing Walker’s smile.
“That’s because I’m all out, remember?” I reply with my own grin.
As I move over to grab the fourth and final plate, I feel a hand slide up my leg. I jump, the plates clanking together, but not falling. I try to pull my leg away, but his hand holds me firmly. When I glance down and see his hand on my leg, I start to panic. I don’t make a move, but my heart starts to hammer in my chest and my breathing comes out a little choppy.