Suite Dreams Read online

Sunday night wasn’t quite the madhouse of the night before. One of the AWOL busboys—Kent—returned. The other had supposedly tumbled down “the stairs” and broken his leg.

  “More likely the ski slope,” Mel mumbled.

  I said nothing, because I figured she was right. And honestly I wasn’t in any mood to complain when Jude was now part of the crew, with free eats privileges. Plus it was simply more fun having him around, winking at me and smiling for no apparent reason.

  “Does that guy think we’re having a contest here?” Kent asked me at the doorway into the kitchen, as Jude reached a recently vacated table and proceeded to clear it. “He’s like super busguy or something.”

  “I think it’s called initiative. You know, seeing what needs to be done and doing it.”

  Kent scowled at me. “So where’d he come from?”

  “Australia.”

  “I got that. Is he going to school here? I mean, it’s going to wear me out keeping up with him.”

  “Don’t worry, he’ll be leaving in two or three weeks,” I said, not at all surprised by the disappointment that thought brought me. I was enjoying Jude’s company. He even cleared the tables with flair. I could stand there and watch him all night, but I had a table that needed my attention.

  I went over to the candlelit table where some regulars were waiting. Dr. Campbell was one of the deans at the university. He was with his wife and two daughters. Hailey, the older one, went to the university and was in my calculus class. She went through boyfriends the way I went through a bag of chips.

  I’d just taken her sister’s order, when Hailey set down her menu to tell me what she wanted. But she froze, then whispered, “Omigod. This may have just become my favorite restaurant.”

  I glanced in the direction she was looking, not surprised to discover that Jude had moved to a closer table and thus, snagged her attention.

  It occurred to me that if Jude came over and talked or grinned at Hailey that she’d have him pull up a chair to join them. As a matter of fact, she’d probably offer him her couch—if not her bed.

  Why was I irritated with Hailey for noticing what a gorgeous guy Jude was? Any girl would notice. I’d never felt this possessive when girls looked at Rick. But the truth was that what I was beginning to feel for Jude was very different from what I’d felt for Rick. On so many levels. It was scary but also thrilling.

  Dr. Campbell cleared his throat, snapping me back to my duties.

  “Your order, miss,” I said formally.

  “I’ll have him,” she said, pointing at Jude.

  “Hailey, don’t be silly and it’s rude to point,” her father said, clearly frustrated that it was taking so long to get their order taken.

  Hailey just rolled her eyes and looked up at me. “He’s new, isn’t he? I don’t remember ever seeing him working here before.”

  “We’re not allowed to discuss the staff,” I told her, hoping it sounded like it might be an actual rule. I didn’t want her anywhere near Jude. I was feeling protective of him. Or was it jealousy?

  “All right, fine.” She pouted for a second, then gave me her order. She had “I plan to be difficult” written all over her face.

  After taking everyone’s order, I headed back to the kitchen via Jude, who was pushing an aluminum cart of dirty dishes.

  “I think you’re probably the only guy around here who looks like he actually enjoys clearing tables,” I said in a low, dignified voice. The Chalet was all about being dignified.

  He grinned at me and leaned low. I smelled the wonderful scent of him. “Keeps me busy. Makes the time fly until you’re off work and we can do something.”

  I wondered what he had in mind. Were we going to finish what we might have been starting last night?

  “Are you blushing?” he asked.

  “What? No.”

  “Does it bother you—what I said?”

  “Of course not, but I need to get this order turned in.”

  I hurried into the kitchen, nearly running into Mel as she was coming out.

  “Kent quit. Can you believe it? I’ve heard of spring fever. But winter fever? What is it with these guys and their sudden lack of enthusiasm for work?”

  She carried her tray into the dining room before I could answer. Not that I had an answer. Or really cared.

  My thoughts were taken up with Jude and wondering what we might do after work.

  “This is so not what I ordered,” Hailey said after I brought out their food.

  “Filet mignon, medium rare,” I said, confirming her request by looking at the order slip.

  “Right. And this is so not rare.”

  Looking at Hailey’s steak in the dim romantic candlelight of the restaurant, I could have sworn it was medium rare.

  “What is it exactly?” I asked. I truly wasn’t being a smart-ass. I just wasn’t certain if she thought it was cooked too much or too little.

  She gave me a look that said I was too clueless to breathe the same air that she did. “Overdone.”

  I plastered on my I-will-be-a-charming-waitress-no-matter-how-uncharming-the-guests-may-be smile. “I’ll return it to the kitchen and have the chef prepare another one for you.”

  “Make it quick, because I’m starving.”

  I wasn’t sure how she could be. They’d already eaten their salads and two baskets of rolls. Still I took the plate back into the kitchen. I placed it on the counter. “Hailey doesn’t like her steak,” I announced.

  “Hailey never likes her steak,” Chef muttered. “Come back in three.”

  I grabbed a pitcher of water, so I could do a quick run-through, filling water glasses. I was heading for the door when it swung open and Jude backed in, pulling a cart with him. He nodded toward the pitcher I was holding. “Leave that. I’ll see to it.”

  “No, I can—”

  “Alyssa! Order up!”

  I nodded at Jude, setting the pitcher aside. “Okay, thanks. Just be sure you step back from the table so no cold water splashes on them.”

  “I worked at a restaurant back home for a while. I think I’ve got it.”

  “Oh, that explains your bussing skills.”

  He gave me his usual grin. “My bussing skills?”

  “Yeah, I’m afraid you intimidated Kent.”

  “Didn’t mean to. Just doing my job.” He winked at me, before pushing the cart into the dishwashing area.

  I returned to the counter to pick up the food waiting on me. It wasn’t Hailey’s steak; it was another order. The people at that table were much easier to please, nodding their heads with approval at the condition of their steaks and seafood. When I returned to the kitchen, Hailey’s steak was ready.

  “Any bets on whether or not she accepts this one?” Mel asked, preparing a basket of rolls for one of her tables.

  “No. She’s trying to make a point, because I wouldn’t give her details about Jude.”

  “So give her the details. Tell her he’s spoken for.”

  “But he’s not.”

  She arched a brow. “Do not let her think he’s available. She’ll dig her claws into him and not let go.”

  “We all have such a high opinion of her.”

  “I had a class with her, and she is not pleasant.”

  As I approached Hailey’s table, I felt my mouth go dry. Jude was standing at the table, water pitcher in hand, talking with Hailey. I wondered if she was the reason that he’d offered to do a water run, if he’d wanted an excuse to talk with her. Had I been a fool to think something was developing between Jude and me? Obviously, because here he was flirting with another girl.

  He liked meeting people. He’d met me and now he was meeting someone else. I wasn’t special. I was just good enough until something better came along.

  If Paul spotted him, Jude might lose his complimentary evening meals. He really wasn’t supposed to be bothering the guests. Although judging by the look of adoration—and ownership—on Hailey’s face, she wasn’t considering his attention a both