ROMANCE: Lion Protector (Paranormal Shifter BBW Military Romance) (Shapeshifter Alpha Male Short Stories Book 2) (84 page)

Chapter 5

              While it was slow at lunch a few of my coworkers purchased the bit of green I had brought with me. A couple that I mentioned having quantity to called some of their friends and made larger orders for the next day. I could probably move a little over two ounces taking care of people’s weekends, but I knew things would slow down for private sales and tips at the beginning of the week.

              I watched the clock until dinner rush. It was a Friday night, so once the crowd started coming, it didn’t slow down until about half an hour before closing. I had been so busy that I didn’t notice Mitch had returned. My section stayed full, so he ended up seated in a different area.

              As things died down, I cleaned my table and started some of my Saturday set-up. The last few guest left and we started to lock the doors. I looked up to see Mitch looking in my direction as he left.

              Oh, well.

              Once we were finally closed, my coworkers and I parted ways. As I started walking, I heard someone call my name. I looked around to see that Mitch had lingered.

              “Uh, hi,” I said, stepping back a bit and wrapping my hand around the keys in my pocket so that they poked out between my fisted fingers.

              “It’s me, Mitch, from this morning,” he said, giving a small jog closer.

              “Yes, and the large group last night and dinner this evening,” I said.

              “You have noticed me,” he said smiling.

              I nodded.

              “I don’t know if you saw it, but I left you a note this morning. Would you like to go get drinks?” he asked.

              I relaxed a little. I guess it showed, because he relaxed a bit as well.

              “Thank you, but I can’t,” I said.

              “I’m sorry, you’re probably seeing someone,” he said, shaking his head disappointedly.

              “No, it’s not that. Honestly, I don’t date. I need to get home to my daughter,” I said.

              I knew she and Mrs. Franklin were probably asleep, but I didn’t know how I felt about this guy. I had only attempted dating twice since my husband died. Both times had been horrible experiences.

              “Oh, you have a daughter? That’s nice,” he said.

              “Yes, she is eleven,” I said. “Have a good night.”

              I started to keep walking.

              “Would you like to have dinner one night that you are off? Or we could get lunch while your daughter is at school,” he offered.

              “That’s very sweet, but I have to pass,” I replied.

              “Well, if you change your mind. I’ll be around. I recently found a local restaurant I really like. Good food. Nice staff. A really attractive server I think I have a bit of a crush on,” he said, giving me one more smile.

              I smiled back, and we each went on our way.

              We closed an hour later on the weekend, so I got home around midnight. Regina was watching TV waiting for me. Mrs. Franklin was asleep in the chair this time.

              “Hi, sweetie,” I said.

              “Hey, Momma. How was work?” Regina asked.

              “Okay, I have a new customer. Big tipper with a big crush,” I said. “How was school?”

              “Fine. I need to get a poster this weekend. I have a new project in history that will be due in three weeks,” she said. “Tell me about your customer. Is he nice looking? What did he order?”

              “He is handsome. Yesterday he had the pulled pork special; today he had a waffle at my suggestion. Why do you care?” I asked, giving her my best tell-Momma-the-truth face.

              “Well, you need to get our more besides work. Plus, normally on Fridays you come in and when I ask about work you talk about it being exhausting. Tonight you talked about a customer with a crush,” she said.

              She paid too much attention for a girl her age.

              “Well, I will get out plenty when you go to college,” I said.

              I went to my room to change cloths and she followed me, still talking.

              “We have a few years before then, and you need a boyfriend now. Our teacher was mean at the beginning of the year, but over Christmas she got a boyfriend. She’s still a good teacher, but she is more relaxed now. You need a boyfriend to help you relax,” Regina continued.

              “Is that so?”

              “Yes, you worked hard when Daddy was alive, but he always seemed to relax you, too,” she said.

              I stood looking in the mirror for a moment once I put on my night shirt.

              “You okay, Momma?” Regina asked.             

              “Yes, I was just thinking about what to wear to work tomorrow. Saturday is fewer people, but larger tickets. Families come in the morning; families and couples on dates come in the evening,” I said.

              Really I was thinking about what she had said, and Mitch’s invitation.

              “Well, I think you should wear your black pencil skirt tomorrow with your white scoop-neck top. I know you just wore it, but it looks good on you,” she said. “Night, Momma.”

              She hopped across the bed to kiss my cheek. Then she went to her own room. As I passed through the living room to the kitchen, Mrs. Franklin began folding the blanket she was sleeping under and gathering her things to go to her own house.

              “Thanks again, Mrs. Franklin,” I said.

              “Sure! I like the company,” she said.

              She made her way to the door.

              “Wear a little perfume,” she called, just before she closed it behind her.

Chapter 6

              I had followed the suggestions of my daughter and Mrs. Franklin, but Mitch was not there Saturday. Me efforts were in vain.

              I made good tips anyway and the preorders on green all worked out well. The day had been a success.

              Sunday the restaurant was closed. Regina and I purchased her project supplies that morning and then had hot dogs in the park. We lay on a blanket and she read to me. Then we had Sunday dinner at Mrs. Franklin’s house.

              Throughout the week I continued to dress a little nicer. I wore my usual lip gloss, but added small stud earrings and perfume. Mitch came in for breakfast twice, lunch twice, and three dinners. Every visit, he tipped fifty dollars more than the last.

              When he came to lunch on Thursday I finally had to find out what his deal was. We were slow, and the only other people in my section were two elderly couples. They were regulars, so I knew my timing pretty well to keep them satisfied. When they ordered their coffees and desserts, I invited myself to sit at Mitch’s table.

              “So, what is your story?” I asked.

              “Excuse me?” Mitch said.

              “I know, this goes beyond the realm of our usual pleasantries, but I know all my regulars. You are becoming a regular and you asked me to drinks or dinner. I should get to know you in case I change my mind in the future,” I said.

              I had never been good at flirting. I never really had to be. My husband and I got together as children and I hadn’t felt the same attraction to anyone since he died.

              “Are you thinking about changing your mind?” he asked.

              “I’m entertaining the idea,” I replied.

              “Okay, well, I’m thirty-one,” he said

              “Twenty-nine,” I replied.

              “I have an older sister and a younger sister,” he continued.

              “Only child,” I replied.

              “I own my own company,” he added.

              “You know I’m a waitress. Congratulations on being a small business owner. Anyplace I would know?” I asked.

              “You may have heard of us. Durham Commercial Constructions, DCC. We design and build commercial properties,” he said.

              “No, I haven’t, but I don’t have a lot of friends in commercial construction,” I replied jokingly.

              “Basically we build commercial properties and public structures,” he said.

              “Sounds lucrative,” I replied.

              “Pays the bills,” he joked back.

              “Lately you seem to be paying mine,” I teased, half seriously.

              “Well, it wouldn’t be a problem. I would leave more, but I imagine that would look strange,” he said.

              “So, you intend to just come and eat all your meals here?” I asked.

              “If it means I get to see you,” he said, looking in my eyes.

              A long moment passed and I excused myself to check on the rest of my diners.

              When I returned, he was ready for his bill with his jacket on. He stood as I approached.

              “Let me take you out,” he asked again.

              “Well, I’m really only off on Sunday. That’s usually my time with Regina, my daughter,” I said.

              “Bring her, too. I like kids. Both of my sisters are married. I’m a great uncle. My nieces and nephews love me,” he said. “We could all go to dinner and a movie.”

              I thought for a moment.

              “Why don’t you join us instead? We usually have dinner at Mrs. Franklin’s house on Sunday. We could see a movie. Then walk to Mrs. Franklin’s. I can let her know beforehand that there will be one more head at the table.

              “Whatever you like,” he said. “Um, I have a meeting first thing tomorrow and I’ve noticed your Friday nights are hectic. I’ll be back for lunch on Saturday.”

              “Sure. See you then,” I replied.

Chapter 7

              Sunday, Regina spent the morning picking out what she thought I would look best in for our movie date with Mitchell. She went through half the clothes in my closet before settling on an ankle-length black maxi dress with a red denim jacket. I wore my hair down and loosely curled.               She wore her favorite jeans and a nice shirt with her winter jacket. She brushed her hair into two nice puffs with ribbon on each.

              We had a snack before we walked to the theater, so we wouldn’t be hungry there. As we walked she asked me questions about Mitch, but there was only so much I could tell her besides what he seemed to like to order.

              “I don’t think he will mind if you want to ask him questions and get to know him,” I said as we approached the theater.

              “Well, I can’t ask him much during the movie,” she said.

              “You have before the movie, the walk to Mrs. Franklin’s, and dinner,” I replied.

              “It’s okay. I have narrowed it down to the three most important questions. His answers will tell me all I need to know,” she said.

              “And, what are the three questions that are so all-telling,” I asked.

              “Well first, what is his favorite movie and why. If it’s character related, I figure he cares about people, since he took the time to notice. You’d like that. If it is plot driven, he’s a thinker. I’ll like that. Anything else, he’s at the hands of fate.”

              “Okay, what is the second?” I asked.

              “I’ll ask what his usual tip is when he goes out. I want to see how much of an exception he is making for you and if he is generally nice anyway,” she said.

              “That’s clever. What is the last question?” I said.

              She had apparently given my love life and Mitchell a lot of thought.

              “Easy. I will ask if he loves you,” she said nonchalantly.

              “Isn’t it a little soon for that?” I asked.

              “Not really. You and Daddy knew when you first met, and you were three. You two are grown and have had almost two weeks. Some things you just know,” she said.

              We reached the theater and Mitchell was already there waiting. He had a rose for me and a small bouquet of miniature roses for Regina. She thanked him as he handed them to her and introduced himself. She admired them a moment, then shook his hand.

              “So, what are we seeing today?” she asked.

              “I thought you could pick. If what you want doesn’t start for a while, we can entertain ourselves in the arcade,” he relied.

              “Sounds good. I like that you plan loosely. Prepared, but with room for structured spontaneity,” she replied.

              “Did I forget to mention that she is eleven going on thirty-five? Anyway, Mrs. Franklin is serving dinner at 6, so we have time,” I said.

              “Well, I don’t know how you feel about rating limits, but there are a few good movies out that are PG and PG13 that I think we could all enjoy,” he said.

              We looked at the marquee and made our selection. Mitchell insisted on getting us some kind of snack. Regina and I each accepted a drink, and she got candy as well. He got candy and popcorn to share, along with a drink for himself.

              Regina sat in the middle during the previews. She whispered back and forth with him throughout the beginning of the movie. I assumed she was getting her questions out early on.

              Halfway through the movie, she said she needed to go to the restroom, so she and I went together while Mitch held all the snacks.

              “What was all that about during the previews?” I asked.

              “Well, he did okay at the introductions, so I figured I would just jump right in with what I wanted to know,” she said.

              She came out of the stall and washed her hands.

              “And?” I asked.

              “And the date will continue. He had two good answers and one I’m on the fence about,” she said.

              “Which question was that?” I asked.

              “We’re missing the movie,” she said.

              When we returned to our seats, she let me sit in the middle.