I think after Skylar’s birthday is over and everyone goes home, I’ll do that. To Hell with it.
The petite blonde at the hostess stand smiles when she sees me approaching. I’m not a fan of this one. She started working here after I fucked Virginia, and although she tried, there was no keeping the lid on that. We never openly verified we were together for any length of time, but the staff thrives on gossip, so really as soon as I told Trent to fire Felix for taking her home, it was all over with. I know Virginia has shut down questions about her involvement with me, and avoided directly responding to the rumors, but at this point it has become an open secret. Her unwillingness to confirm it only makes it juicier for the especially bored.
The hostess clearly thinks because I fucked Virginia, I must look for my next lay when I come in for dinner, because she shoots me her best “fuck me” eyes and gets all cute when she says, “Hi, Rafe.”
Bored. So fucking bored. Funny thing is, she used to be exactly my type, but when she looks at me right now, all I see is too much tanner and way too much eagerness. I don’t know why, but I’m bored just looking at her. The more she smiles at me, the more I want to flee. I don’t know what the hell is going on, but she annoys me, and the poor girl isn’t doing anything a thousand other women haven’t done before her.
I’ve never fucked employees anyway, so maybe it’s just because she works for me. The restaurant has always been the one place I ignored beautiful women. They don’t usually annoy me, though. Maybe Mateo’s brood has zapped more of my patience than I realized.
Generic Blond Hostess suddenly says, “Ooh,” and runs her hand along my bicep. “I love this cut. It looks so good on you.”
Oh, fuck off.
Jesus Christ, I need a drink.
Ignoring her, I point to her seating chart. “Slight change to the floor. Stop seating Virginia, she’s leaving at 7. Felix is going to close in her place, so you can give her tables to him.”
She straightens. “Oh, okay.” Quickly making changes to the chart, she says, “I hope she’s feeling all right.”
“She’s feeling fine.”
Her smile is weaker when she looks back up at me. “All switched.”
As I head back to the table, I realize I should have sent Trent to the hostess stand. Now the hostess—I can’t for the fucking life of me remember her name—is going to make sure it spreads like wildfire when Virginia leaves with me tonight.
When I get back to the table, I’m feeling quite satisfied with myself for scoring a night with Virginia. Then the lady in question comes over looking mildly annoyed, and puts my plate down with more force than is strictly necessary.
“Something wrong?” I ask her.
“Nothing is wrong. I hope that’s not cold, it was done a few minutes ago, but you were flirting with the hostess and I didn’t want to leave your food unattended. I took it for a walk. Your salmon is well-traveled, at least.”
A faint smirk tugs at my lips. “I was not flirting with the hostess.”
“Uh huh.”
“She’s orange. She’s like an Oompa Loompa with better hair. Come on, now. I have higher standards than that.”
Biting back a smile, she says, “Well, that Oompa Loompa certainly got friendly with your arm.”
“Apparently she is a dinner jacket aficionado. She was impressed with the cut.”
“I bet she can’t even spell aficionado,” she mutters.
She’s cranky tonight. Probably leftover jealousy from when she thought Mia was my dinner date. “I think I’ve spoiled you,” I tell her, leaning back in my seat, preparing to fuck with her.
“Oh, have you?” she inquires.
I nod my head. “You’ve gotten so used to single Rafe.”
“He’s been around for a while now,” she admits. “I confess, I kinda like him. Not that I don’t like philandering Rafe, but single Rafe is much more fun.”
“For you,” I say dryly.
“Of course,” she says, offering an angelic smile. “Don’t you exist solely to make my life fun?”
“I think I do. Speaking of making your life fun, I switched your schedule, so you’re leaving at seven. I was going to wait to tell you, but since you’re so interested in my visit with the hostess…”
Blinking, she says, “You switched my schedule?”