Cillian (The Kelly Brothers #2) - Megan Wade Page 0,6
finds out about it.”
“He fires people for breaking that rule though, right?”
I nod. “The few times he’s found out, yeah. Which is why I’ve never even contemplated dating one of the waitresses before now. But then this girl walks in, and she’s all bubbly and happy, and there was just something about her that made me think fuck it, I’m asking her out.”
“And what made you change your mind?”
I drop the paper towel in the trash as I rake my teeth across my bottom lip, releasing a heavy sigh. “Because it’s his daughter. Even if we wanted to see each other, we couldn’t hide it. He’d find out then that’s me out of a job. The risk is too high.”
“Fuck,” he says, lengthening the word. “That sucks, man.”
“You’re telling me.” I fold my arms across my middle and lean against the counter opposite him. “She’s the first girl I’ve had any interest in for… shit… I can’t even remember the last time I went on a date. Anyway, it doesn’t matter now because it isn’t happening.”
“Well, I guess it’s better to find out before the damage is done,” Trick says, clapping me on the shoulder as he stands up. “I’ve gotta get going. Wren’s got plans to paint a fucking feature wall or something, so we’ve got to go to the hardware store. But I’ll see you at Sunday dinner tonight?”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” I say, watching him as he heads out through the back, obviously trying to avoid Mam and her baby-making rants again.
I wipe a hand over my face and smile to myself. Trick couldn’t think of anything worse than having kids right now. Me? I couldn’t think of anything better. After I got home from the restaurant last night, all I could do was sit there and think about how badly I wished I could claim Hazel as mine. I’d put a baby inside her so fast, there’d be no doubt who she belonged to. The feeling was primal, the need for her desperate, crazy even. Still, it was there. And I fucking hate it because I’m never gonna have it. I’m never gonna have her.
It was a nice dream while it lasted.
Hazel
When I arrive at work for the Sunday lunch service, there’s an extra bounce in my step. Cilian and I didn’t get to hash out all the details of our date on Monday night, but since he’s supposed to be on shift today as well, it means I get to see him and we can finish what we started before my father rudely interrupted. I’m trying to stay positive. Because along with that bounce in my step, there’s also a nervous fear bubbling about in the bottom of my stomach where Cillian isn’t planning on going through with our dating plan now that he knows who I am. Or, more specifically, whose daughter I am.
“Morning, Hazel,” Rosalee, Hunt and Gather’s head waitress, says as I enter my code into the system to sign on. “I’ve got you learning drinks today.” She smiles as she looks up from her clipboard. My stomach drops.
“I’m not waitressing?” I ask, trying to hide the disappointment in my voice. Being on drinks means I won’t be in the kitchen today. Is this my father’s doing?
“George said he wants you to learn the whole business. Waitressing is only part of it. You’ll be the boss of all of this one day, so it’s good if you can jump in anywhere.”
“What about the kitchen? Will I have to learn how to run the kitchen?”
She flashes me a smile as she tilts her head. “Maybe. But we’re focusing on the floor for now. One thing at a time.”
“Sure,” I say, dropping my eyes as I realize that, yes, Dad is making sure my path steers clear of Cillian’s after seeing us together last night. Not fair. Lucky I’ve never let a little thing like Dad’s rules stop me from having fun. I’ll just have to find another way to see Cillian out without it looking too obvious. As much as I’d like to just march up to him and say something cool like… actually, I don’t know how to say anything cool. Still, I’d like to feel comfortable asking him directly about the state of our suggested date. Sure, my dad threatened his job, but that just means we must be careful. I don’t see it as a deal breaker, but Cillian might. That’s why I need to talk to him and find out