when he looked at me. Then he released a breath through his nostrils.
“No,” I said before he could ask. “We’ve been over this before. I’m willing to fit in wherever you need me in this business but not as a server. I can’t work directly with the customers.”
He dragged a hand through his thick brown hair, cocking his head as he eyed me. “What if I offered you a hundred and fifty dollars to behave and take the serving shift tomorrow? Sarah called earlier this morning and said she had to go to the doctor. That was her saying that she can’t come in for the next few days. I’ve got people to cover every shift except for tomorrow’s. Please, Leah?”
“It’s not about behaving,” I protested. “If I could, I would, but it’s my mouth. It has a mind of its own and it says things without thinking.”
“Yeah, I know.” He grinned and tapped the side of his head. “I know exactly what goes on up there, but I also know that you can rein it in for one day.”
“Maybe I can,” I conceded. “But that day can’t be tomorrow. I’m washing my hair.”
“Your hair looks fine to me.” He narrowed his eyes as he lifted his gaze to the ceiling. “Come on, it’s a hundred and fifty dollars for one shift. I know you’ve never done it before, but you’ll be great.”
“Actually, I’m taking my hamster for a photo shoot,” I said, snapping my fingers. “So sorry.”
“You don’t have a hamster.” He rolled his eyes at me. “Don’t try to tell me that you’ve gotten one either. I was at your place two days ago.”
“I’m getting it this afternoon,” I said, mind racing as I tried to remember if there was a pet shop on my way home. I’d really have to commit if I wanted him to buy this. “It’s not that I don’t want to, really. It’s just that I have a prior commitment.”
“No, you don’t.” He looked right at me. “Just try not to say everything that jumps into your head, and you’ll be fine.”
I wouldn’t be fine, but I couldn’t say no to him when he looked at me like that. My brother and I were close and when he needed me—like he did tomorrow—I was genetically incapable of turning him down. I swore it had been written into my DNA. Thou shalt have Rick’s back.
We went back and forth for a little while longer, but I couldn’t get out of it. Eventually, I told him I’d be here and then planted my hands on my hips. “I’m going home to write now. Don’t call me for the rest of the day.”
He nodded. “I wouldn’t dream of disturbing you while you’re writing the world’s next great love story. See you tomorrow. Thanks, Leah.”
“Anytime,” I mumbled, shooting him a wave as I turned to leave.
I loved my brother, and I loved working at his restaurant, but I hated feeling like I’d been backed into a corner. I knew he’d only done it because he was desperate since Sarah couldn’t come in, but still.
Serving was the one role I’d steered clear of thus far and it had been for good reason. I didn’t have much of a filter, and usually, I didn’t really care. But people expected certain things from a meal at Rick’s, and I didn’t want to be responsible for letting them down.
Opening his restaurant had been my brother’s dream come true. If he got even one bad review because of people having to deal with me, I’d feel terrible. Especially after all the hard work I’d put into helping him make it a success.
On the other hand, if he did get a bad review because of me after I’d tried saying no, then it was on him. We both knew why I was better off behind the scenes, and he was the one shoving me to the front now.
I sat down behind my computer once I got home, and I shut my eyes and tried to block the disaster that tomorrow might end up being from my mind. While I spent at least half of my time helping my brother with his dream, I spent the other half on my own. I was an aspiring romance writer, but today, the love just wouldn’t come.
My fingers flew across the keys, but I didn’t have any clear plan in my head. A few minutes later, I blinked when I read over what I’d written. Instead of