Powerful (The Driven World) - Kathleen Kelly Page 0,33
customer. Kris walks in, and the noise volume goes down as people stare at him. He doesn’t seem to notice as he makes a beeline for me.
“Hey, so do you want to have dinner?”
“Did Todd give you a ticket?”
Kris grins and shakes his head. “Nah, let me off with a warning.” The tell-tale sign he’s nervous rears its head as he places a hand to the back of his neck and rubs. “Dinner?”
“I don’t think so. I’m moving Ashlea into my house this afternoon. It’s a girls’ day.”
“I could get takeout for three?” Kris puts his hands in his pockets. “And how are you moving her?”
“Ashlea has a car. And I don’t know…”
Ashlea comes out and throws an arm over my shoulders. “You don’t know what?”
“I was going to bring takeout over tonight, but Athena’s not sure.”
“You paying?” asks TB.
Kris nods. “That was the plan.”
“Good, takeout for four, and my woman likes Thai food.”
“Your woman?” asks Kris incredulously.
Ashlea kisses TB’s cheek and smiles. “Yeah, his woman.”
“Okay, enough,” says Shannon. “You.” She points at TB. “Back in the kitchen. Athena, grab a pad and start taking orders. Don’t forget to write the table number down, and you,” she points at Kris. “Behind the register taking payments. Ashlea, you get to go help in the kitchen. Get to it!” orders Shannon.
Strangely, we all do as we’re told. Fifteen minutes later, Mom and Dad walk through the door. Mom comes over to me and takes my pad and pen, and Dad goes in to relieve Kris.
“Thanks, Mom.”
She smiles warmly. “Oh, honey, it’s my pleasure.”
Mom takes over, and I grab Kris’ hand and walk him out to the kitchen area, which is now under control thanks to Ashlea’s calming influence on TB.
“Come on, Ashlea, we need to go.”
“TB needs me.”
I slap Kris on the chest. “That’s what he’s here for. Kris, you are now TB’s kitchen bitch.”
“What?” Kris widens his eyes.
TB chuckles. “I like the sound of that.”
“Come on, Ashlea. Mom’s out front, and if TB needs help, she and Kris can swap. Kris, if you just do as TB says, everything will be fine. TB, if you keep your cool and listen to Shannon, everything will be fine.”
“How did Shannon get to be in charge?” asks TB.
“Well, I am the best-looking one here,” teases Shannon as she hangs up more orders.
“I thought that was me,” replies Kris.
Shannon turns, licks her lips, and holds her hand to her forehead. “You are indeed a sight to behold, but honey, you’ve got nothing on this.” Shannon runs her hands down her sides and throws her head back. “You feel me?”
We all laugh, and Kris winks at Shannon. “You have a point.”
“Well, yes… yes, I do.” Shannon turns and sashays out of the kitchen.
“She’s a hell of a waitress,” states TB.
“Yes, she is, and that’s why Ashlea and I are leaving.”
“Do you think you’ll be okay?”
TB kisses her on the forehead. “We’ll be fine.”
Ashlea hugs him, kisses him on the lips, and I drag her from the café. We just hit the sidewalk when Kris comes out.
“Wait!” We stop and turn to look at him, but he’s staring at me. “We’re still on for tonight, right?”
I look at Ashlea, who nods.
“Sure, Thai takeout for four.”
Kris leans in, grabs my hand, and kisses me on the cheek. “Great, see you then.”
I’m standing on the sidewalk watching his back when Ashlea leans in. “You should close your mouth.”
“What?” I swing my head in her direction. “My mouth was closed.”
“Sure, it was.”
“We’re going to be late. Let’s hustle.”
***
Ashlea and TB are out near the fire pit, and I’m making margaritas when Kris knocks on my door.
“It’s open,” I yell out.
“Does anyone lock their doors in this town?”
“No need to,” I reply. “Margaritas go with Thai, right?”
Kris puts the plastic bags holding our food on the kitchen counter. “Margaritas go with everything, I think.”
“Where’s Sophia?”
“She’s at the motel.”
“Oh…” is all I say as I stare at him.
Kris gives me a tight smile and looks around the room. “Yeah, we’re not together anymore, but for appearances, she’s staying as my date. I’m sure next week Sophia will be in tears in front of a camera telling the world what a bastard I am.”
“Are you?” I blurt out.
Kris shakes his head. “No.” He begins unpacking the food. “I never loved Sophia, and she sure as hell didn’t love me. I liked her, but it wasn’t serious.”
“Didn’t you live together?”
“No, she stayed over a lot, but we were never living together.”
“Right.”
Kris stops what he’s