shades of red, I glance at Carter and the guys and run my hand over my forehead. Four handsome faces stare at me in varying states of hilarity.
"You okay, Grace?" Carter asks, his smile growing.
Grace. Haha, funny guy. May I die now?
Sweat coats my palms. "Uh, yeah, clumsy Jess, that's me. Your food should be ready any minute. I'll grab those drinks." I long to crawl inside out as I walk toward the bar.
This time I choose the register at the end of the bar where I can keep an eye on Carter and his friends. They're engaged in what appears to be a heated conversation as I enter their drink order. Scratch that, I squint like that'll help me read lips; the twins speak heatedly at Carter, who turns to Owen with wide eyes. Owen raises his hands as if to say, "Arguing with them is futile." My mouth turns up at the edges at the frown overrunning Carter's face when the others burst into laughter.
With a shake of his head, Carter mumbles and looks around, his eyes catching me staring. My gaze jerks to the screen before me. Another boisterous stream of laughter erupts at their table, and flames of embarrassment lick my skin. Why wouldn’t they catch me watching? Bad luck is the story of my life. Frustrated with the riot of nerves teasing me, I dare another glance and am met with a single pair of light eyes. Carter watches, one brow lifting before he lifts his beer in a toast. Chuckling, despite myself, I turn my back and return to work.
The fire in my cheeks is cooled by the time their food appears in the window. I carry two plates using my left forearm and hand and grab a third in my right, allowing another waitress to grab Carter's nachos and head to their table.
"Buffalo burger and fries, the OT with onion rings, and a Cowboy with fries." I verify each dish while setting them down. "There for the nachos." I cock my head toward Carter and thank my helper.
The guys shift, snagging fries and pulling their plates in. I try ignoring Carter as I grab Finn and Frey's empty bottles and scour the table. "Okay, let me grab your beers, do you guys need anything? New drinks, silverware, condoms—"
The food frenzy halts, and four pairs of eyes zero in on me as the world seems to go silent around me.
"Shit." I slap my hand over my mouth. Oh, shit, I cussed for everyone to hear. My gaze moves left and right. After coming in late for my shift yesterday—thanks, Dad—messing up on the floor is unthinkable. No one pays us any attention, and the bustle of the restaurant returns to my ears, and I breathe.
Meeting their dropped jaws, I replay my last word.
Condoms. I said condoms out loud. I blow out a deep breath.
"Condiments," I clarify. "Ketchup, mayo, um… anything?" Carter's brows jump. "That is, anything for your burgers." My words come out a whimpered and fumbled mess. What in the hell is wrong with me?
Finn is the first to gather his wits. He waves a fry around with a grin. "You hand out condoms? I had no idea this was that type of establishment."
"Is that on the menu." Frey joins his twin in razzing me. "Are they on the specials list?"
"Dessert menu?" Finn suggests.
I'm mortified.
Owen snorts. "Guys, c'mon."
"We knew you liked us." The twins share nods, flashing devilish grins, and the ridiculousness milks a choked laugh from my lips.
"Oh, please, she doesn't like you. She's attempting to save mankind by preventing you two assholes from procreating," Carter says, popping a black olive into his mouth.
The twins respond, but my focus drifts to Carter's mouth. To his grin. That grin should be trademarked because I doubt there's another in this world as sinful and delicious. He could sell Bibles to atheists with a wink and a grin.
His lips move, and I slow blink, missing whatever he says. "Sorry, what?"
"Another beer?" he repeats, shaking his empty bottle.
"Oh, right, yeah, let me get that for you."
After dropping Carter's second beer off, I find every reason to stay clear of their table as they eat and talk. Granted, with the number of fellow waitresses stopping by, my presence is unnecessary. Gina was correct—these guys are the Friday night special. Of course, they are. Four hot, single—or I assume they're single—guys in a town like Rossview. Though I remain busy with my other tables, Carter's presence draws my