Kickstart My Heart (Burgers and Brew Crue #1) - Lacey Black Page 0,69

A lot.”

He grabs my shoulder and squeezes. “I’m glad, man. You deserve to find a little happy.”

“You too.”

“Ehh, that shit’s not for me. I’ll just be the cool uncle who lets the girl have too many cookies.”

I snort a laugh. “You’ll be a great uncle. Your sister, BJ, ever gonna settle down?”

Now it’s Jameson’s turn to laugh. “Hell no. You know her, always having one foot out the door.”

“She sounds like her brother.”

“Pretty much,” he replies, giving me a crooked grin before walking toward the back door, cigarettes in his hand.

Finally making my way to my office, I think about his words. No, I can’t say I’m in love with Mallory, but I’ll agree I’m intrigued and enjoying my time with her, and if that leads to something more, then so be it.

I’m not afraid of taking the next step, whatever that is.

I’m afraid of the fall.

Chapter Twenty

Mallory

I’m just finishing up my shift when a group of three women come in. It’s nearing shift change, and I already know I’ll be starting their table, but someone after me will finish it. We’re supposed to split the tip when that happens, as long as we’ve both worked as close to half of the service as possible, but I know that doesn’t always happen. Not when Manda is working my section.

“Good afternoon,” I tell the trio as I deliver glasses of water to their tables. “Can I get you something else to drink?”

“Definitely. Something fruity and fun. We’re celebrating a birthday,” the redheaded woman says, a warm, pleasant smile on her face.

“We’ll all have to call for rides home,” the shorter of the two brunettes adds, taking a menu from the center of the table.

“That’s fine. Rusty gets off work at five and can come get me,” the third and final woman says.

“Do you have any recommendations?” the redhead asks. “Tish has been here a few times, but this is my first visit. I’m new to town and have heard nothing but rave reviews everywhere I go.”

“I’m fairly new too, but everything I’ve had has been amazing,” I say.

“I think I’ll have a pina colada,” the shorter brunette, Tish, says.

“Throw in extra rum for her birthday,” the taller woman throws out there.

“I’ll have the same.”

“Me too.”

“I’ll give you a minute to look over the menus and grab your drinks,” I tell them, taking a step back. “Oh, and I really like the Panty Melter Burger.”

“Ohhhh, that sounds like heaven,” the redhead moans, glancing down at her menu and searching for the suggested burger.

“I’ll be back,” I reply with a smile, leaving them to look at the menu.

After I have the three drinks, I return to my table. I try not to eavesdrop on their conversation, but it’s hard when I’m standing right there and they continue as if I weren’t.

“I was so proud of Jackson today. He worked hard during class and even raised his hand when we were talking about things that start with the letter A.”

“That’s good. In the four years I’ve been teaching, I’ve never seen a kid shyer than that one,” Tish replies. “Even just passing your class in the hallway, I can tell he’s going to be a struggle to pull out of his shell.”

“We’ve only been in class three weeks, and he’s made great strides,” the redhead says, glancing up and noticing my rapt attention. “Oh, I’m sorry. We’re a bunch of preschool teachers and most of the time, we don’t leave work at the school.”

The other two laugh in agreement.

“You teach preschool?” I find myself asking, setting down the drinks.

“We do. Little Learners. It’s my first year. Tish is on her fourth year as the four and five-year-olds teacher, and Stephanie is the director.”

I look over at the taller woman, Stephanie, who’s wearing a pleasant smile. She’s older than the other two, probably in her thirties, with big brown eyes. “Our preschool is through the Lutheran Church on Madison Street. Have you heard of it?”

I shake my head. “Sorry, no, but I’m new here. My daughter and I moved about a month ago.”

“Daughter?” Tish asks.

“Lizzie. She’s three,” I tell the trio.

“Three? She’d be perfect for my class,” the redhead says. “Sorry, I’m Addi, or Miss Hanson, and I teach the three-year-old class. Is she in preschool?”

Guilt sweeps through my body as I slowly shake my head no. It’s not something on my radar yet, which makes me feel even worse. My life turned completely upside down in the last year, and sadly, my daughter is