Kickstart My Heart (Burgers and Brew Crue #1) - Lacey Black Page 0,13

to me, baby?” Tommy mutters, trying to sound all smooth and sexy, but falling way short.

“Is there a problem here?”

I know that voice, and I’ve never heard it so…tough.

“No, no, man, not a problem. I was just waiting for Sweet Thang here to give me her number,” Tommy replies, laughing.

“I believe the lady has already told you no,” Walker replies, not laughing in the least.

When I glance back at him, I see his big arms crossed over his chest and his hard eyes laser-focused on Tommy. I reach out with one hand, careful not to drop my tray, and rest it on his muscular forearm. “It’s okay, Walker. I’m good.”

His eyes meet mine and he relaxes just a bit.

“Yeah, Walker, she’s fine. And she will be even better once she gives me her number,” Tommy smarts off, those lines around Walker’s mouth returning once more. His eyes narrow down at the cocky jerk sitting in the chair.

Walker bends down and gets a little closer to the half-drunk customer. “Listen, man. You don’t touch my employees—ever—or I get involved. Got it?”

Tommy swallows hard and leans back, holding up his hands in surrender. “I see, I see. You’re fucking her. That’s fine. You could have just said that. When you’ve had your fun, I’ll take my turn.”

Walker growls right before he moves. Fast. I almost didn’t see it coming. I’m able to step back to avoid being knocked down, but barely. Walker grabs Tommy by the shirt and helps him stand. Tommy stumbles, knocking over a half-full beer bottle, and sending the table into disarray. All I can do is watch in shock and horror as the guests are basically escorted right out the front door.

My very angry boss turns to one of the guys and says, “Go pay the check. And don’t forget a fucking tip.”

Two of them return to where I stand, shellshocked, and stare at me expectantly. I fumble with my order pad and walk back to the servers’ station. I can feel all eyes on me as I try to use the touchscreen. My hands are shaking so dang bad, which only causes tears to well in my eyes.

Suddenly, Gigi is there, taking the pad from my hand and keying in the rest of the ticket. “Seventy-five fourteen,” she states politely, yet with a touch of authority.

The Jack and Coke guy pulls out his debit card and pays for the entire bill. When he signs his name on the receipt, he gives me a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry about Tommy. He’s not usually like that.”

Before I can reply, Gigi hands him his copy of the receipt and says, “Have a nice day.”

The guys give me one last look and hightail it out of the restaurant like their asses are on fire.

“I’m so sorry,” I stammer, as Gigi turns to look at me.

“Don’t you dare be sorry, Mallory. That’s not your fault. We don’t get too many inappropriate customers in the restaurant, but it does happen. I’m so sorry he touched you. The guys, they don’t allow that kind of behavior. If it ever happens, make sure you tell someone right away, okay? One of them, Walker or Jameson, will take care of it.”

I nod, blinking rapidly to keep the tears at bay. “Okay.”

She smiles a gentle grin. “I think your other tables are all right for a few minutes. Why don’t you run in back and take a few deep breaths, and then come back out and jump back in. You’re doing a great job, Mallory.”

Again, I nod, unable to find the words. Truth is, I want to tell her I don’t need a few minutes in back, but I know I do. I’m on the verge of tears and the last thing I want is to cry in front of the customers. It’s only my second day, dammit.

I slip through the back hall and into the employees’ room. The air is a little warmer back here, but it doesn’t feel as stifling as the restaurant. I find myself slipping my phone out of my apron and glancing at my wallpaper photo. It’s of Lizzie from her third birthday a few months back. She’s smiling widely, her lips covered in chocolate icing from the cupcakes we made. It reminds me of a different time, a better one. Before everything around me started to unravel piece by piece.

The door opens behind me, so I quickly slip my phone back into the apron and turn around. I expect to see