Page 10 of Finding Kenna
“We are awesome,” Lexie agreed, snuggling into her man.
“Dessert arrived while you two were delivering your smackdown,” Mustang told them.
“We didn’t do any such thing,” Elodie protested. “We just had a conversation. That may or may not have been overheard.”
“We’ll see if it was when the bitches go back to their table,” Lexie said.
“Speaking of which, I’d better get more napkins for them,” Kenna said. “Thanks again.”
“Anytime,” Elodie said. “That’s what friends are for.”
Kenna smiled at both women and headed back toward the kitchen. She heard Mustang ask, “So you’re best friends with Aleck’s woman already?”
“Yup,” Kenna heard Elodie say, right before she entered the kitchen area. Smiling, she gathered up the napkins and fork, grabbed the appetizer for another table that was ready, and headed back into the dining area. She had time to do one more check on each of her tables before her much-needed and anticipated break.
After dropping off the poke tacos and crab wontons to table forty-three, she headed back toward table twenty-seven.
This time, the blonde and brunette couldn’t have been nicer. They apologized for being a pain and the blonde even complimented Kenna’s hair. It was such a crock of shit, because the ponytail Kenna wore wasn’t anything to gush about. But she merely smiled and asked the group if they needed anything else.
Kenna had to admit that Elodie and Lexie’s ploy was crazy effective. They hadn’t started a knock-down drag-out fight. Hadn’t shamed the two women. Had just lied their asses off with their elaborate tale, which had worked like a charm.
Making a mental note to never underestimate either woman—that was, if she had the chance to spend time with them in the future—Kenna headed for her next table to make sure all was well.
Five minutes later, she took off her apron, hung it on a hook near the kitchen door, waved to Carly, and headed for the front of the restaurant. She still had a couple hours of work in front of her, but she’d never been as excited for her break as she was tonight.
Chapter Three
Aleck stood apart from the patrons waiting to be seated at Duke’s and realized he was fidgeting. He never fidgeted. But anticipation over spending time with Kenna, even if it was only thirty minutes, had him shifting back and forth on his feet like he was a ten-year-old kid in the principal’s office.
He had no idea what it was about her that had him so off-kilter. All he knew was that he was excited to get to know her better.
When Aleck saw Kenna headed toward him, he couldn’t help but smile. She was laughing as she stopped by the hostess stand to speak to the woman working there. Then she was headed toward him.
“Hey,” she said as she approached.
“Hi,” he returned.
They stared at each other silently before she asked, “You want to take a walk or something?”
Aleck shook his head. “No. You’ve been on your feet all night. I’d prefer to find a place to sit where you can actually relax for a while.”
She didn’t say anything for a long moment.
“But if you’re set on a walk, that’s okay too,” Aleck added awkwardly.
Kenna shook her head. “No, sitting sounds heavenly. I just wasn’t sure you’d want to do something so…lame.”
“Kenna, you’ve been working your ass off tonight. I’d be a dick if I insisted on adding to your fatigue.” He looked around the bright lights of the shopping area and inwardly groaned at the lack of privacy and the fact that all the benches were occupied.
But Kenna came to his rescue. “We could sit outside by the beach…if you wanted,” she suggested.
“Yes,” Aleck said immediately. The sun had set not too long ago and the temperature was absolutely perfect.
“We have to go back through the restaurant,” Kenna said. “I mean, we don’t have to, but it’ll be the fastest way to get to the beach.”
“Lead on,” Aleck said, gesturing toward Duke’s with his arm.
He followed close behind her, selfishly hoping like hell no one would need her as they walked past the tables toward the beach. Luckily, no one stopped her and soon they were walking on the sand, headed for a lounge chair.
