Kickstart My Heart (Burgers and Brew Crue #1) - Lacey Black Page 0,40

Instead she hollers, “I have to get my pwincess stuff weady!”

Laughing, I grab my phone and call the last number in my call log. “Burgers and Brew, this is Isaac.”

“Hey, Isaac, it’s Mallory. If you haven’t found anyone to fill the shift, I’d love to have it. That is, if the offer still stands to hang out with Lizzie tonight.”

“Of course it still stands. I have my bag already packed with some office stuff and can be out the door in a few minutes. I’ll be there shortly.”

“Okay. Thank you. See you soon,” I tell him, hanging up the phone, a mix of emotions swirling in my chest. I’m anxious to go to work, and hopefully, make good tips. Not that I don’t make decent ones during the week, but I’ve heard the talk about the weekends. Marla said one girl made almost a hundred and fifty bucks one night. Do you know what I could do with that much money? Well, it would definitely go toward next month’s rent, but it would also put me a lot closer to securing a bed.

I head to my bedroom and grab a polo shirt from the stack, as well as my last pair of clean black slacks. I’ll either have to hit the laundromat again tomorrow, which I’m not looking forward to, or I’ll have to wash them in the sink and hang them to dry.

When I’m dressed, I head across the hall to Lizzie’s room. Her space looks like a princess castle threw up in it. There are a few dress-up outfits and some tiaras on her floor, as well as dolls and pink building blocks. “Wow, that’s a lot of stuff,” I say, observing her.

She doesn’t stop setting out her toys. “We have lots of pwaying to do, Mommy.”

Smiling, I head to the bathroom and swipe some mascara across my eyelashes. I find a black rubber band and pull my hair into a low ponytail. Just as I’m finishing up brushing my teeth, a knock sounds at the door.

“I get it!” Lizzie hollers, taking off for the front door.

I head that way too, grateful she can’t reach the chain yet. “You’re not supposed to open the door, remember?” I ask, peeking through the hole to confirm our guest.

“Hi, Lizzie,” Isaac says, as soon as I open the door.

“Isaac! Where’s Walk?” Lizzie asks, glancing around his leg.

Isaac gives me a questioning look that has my cheek flushing. “Walker isn’t with Isaac, sweetie. He’s working too.”

“Oh,” Lizzie says, a look of total sadness crossing her face. “It’s otay. He pway pwincess wiff us nest time.”

Isaac laughs. “Oh, I’m sure Walker would love to play princess with us. Definitely, next time we’ll ask him to come too. I saw the picture you hung in his office. Maybe we should make him another one,” Isaac suggests, pulling out another brand-new coloring book and a big box of crayons from his bag. He sets it down on the kitchen table. “I brought stuff for after she goes to sleep. You don’t have to worry about me working before then.”

I give him a smile. “You’re a lifesaver, Isaac.”

He just grins back. “I remember what it was like for my mom, so anything I can do to help. I know tips are pretty good on the weekends,” he says, leaning against the wall.

“Thank you,” I reply, a bubble of emotion catching in my throat. I try to clear it away, glancing over at Lizzie, who’s eagerly waiting to steal away the man in the room. “Her bedtime is eight. Don’t worry about a bath, even though she’ll probably tell you she needs one. She took one this morning, so she’s fine. She thinks she needs to play in the bubbles every night before bed, regardless of her day’s activities.”

Lizzie giggles. “Bubbles are fun.”

“There’s a pair of pajamas on her bed, but if you don’t feel comfortable changing her, she can sleep in the clothes she’s wearing.”

“I don’t mind that, as long as you’re both comfortable with me doing it. My nieces are four and two, so I’m used to the drama that comes with changing someone for bedtime.”

Smiling, I step forward and throw my arms around his shoulders. I know it’s completely unprofessional of me, but that doesn’t stop me from doing it. “Thank you, Isaac.”

He returns the hug, but keeps his hands carefully positioned on my upper back. “You’re welcome, Mallory. Now go so you can start earning those tips,” he says, practically pushing me out