In Over Her Head: An Anchor Island Novel by Terri Osburn (reading eggs books .TXT) 📗

received one text from Nick, which she’d ignored, and then she’d spent the evening praying he wouldn’t show up at her door. When he didn’t, she brushed off the disappointment, reminding herself that this was for the best. Nick clearly wanted something Lauren did not. He couldn’t blame her when the rules had been clear from the beginning.

Besides, the restaurant needed all of her attention right now.

There had been a slight hiccup first thing this morning when Will had called to increase the number for the dinner from fourteen to sixteen adults. Thankfully, the number of children had remained the same. Axel had taken the message and not bothered to ask who the new additions would be. Lauren assumed Will had invited potential wedding clients so they could taste her food, since Pilar’s would be doing the catering for most Destination Anchor events.

“Hello!” someone called from the dining room, and Lauren recognized her boss’ voice. “Can we do anything to help?”

Stepping into the pass, Lauren greeted Will and Randy Navarro with a wave. She didn’t think she’d ever get used to how big Randy was. At least six foot five, the man could easily be mistaken for a professional wrestler if it weren’t for the ever-present smile on his handsome face. On more than one occasion she’d seen him at the fitness center, which he owned, of course, lifting upwards of three hundred pounds.

“Do you need us to move tables or anything?” Randy asked.

They’d brought in four members of the waitstaff for the evening, and Lauren had worked with them to make the necessary table adjustments. “Already done.” She called to the break room in the back, “Carla, our first guests have arrived.”

Carla Fennell, a woman in her mid-fifties who had been the lead hostess at the Marina for more than ten years, shuffled into view. “I’m on it.”

Lauren checked the clock on the wall. If the other diners arrived at the designated time, they had another ten minutes before the meal officially began. Because the point was to get feedback on the entire menu, they’d decided to send the dishes out family style starting with the appetizers. They wouldn’t get to practice individual plating, but this night was about taste more than presentation.

The rest of the waitstaff headed for the dining room in their black pants, pressed turquoise shirts—the official color of Pilar’s—and pristine new aprons. Only one was new and Lauren had faith that the more experienced servers would keep an eye on him. When she turned to survey the kitchen, Lauren couldn’t suppress a smile. Jackson, Mona, Deborah, Dodge, Brit, Penny, and Axel were at their stations, fully focused and ready to go.

She had never been prouder or more nervous in her life.

For a split second, Lauren wished Nick was there to calm her nerves. A clear sign that putting distance between them was the right thing to do. She could hear her mother’s voice in her head. Never depend on anyone but yourself. Words Lauren had lived by for as long as she could remember, and she’d done just fine so far.

But have you?

Shaking the disloyal thought away, Lauren took a final pass around the kitchen and heard more voices in the dining room. Curious, she peeked through the pass and watched as some of the children she’d met at Opal’s were wrestled into high chairs. Since her previous encounters had been with the women in the group, none of the husbands looked familiar. Except for Roxie’s boyfriend, Alex Fielding. And she’d seen the one sitting closest to Beth working out with Randy at the fitness center.

Will caught her attention. “Lauren, come out so I can introduce you to everyone.”

The moment of truth had arrived. She turned, took a deep breath, and got a thumbs-up from Jackson.

“You’ve got this, Chef.”

She appreciated the show of support. Shoulders back, Lauren made her way to the dining room and crossed to the gathered diners.

“Everyone, have a seat so I can introduce our star chef who is about to feed us what I’m sure will be an amazing meal.”

Will waited for the crowd to settle and Lauren noticed three empty seats at the end of the table. She started to count those present, but the introductions began before she reached half a dozen.

“First we have Tom and Patsy Dempsey. They own Dempsey’s Bar & Grill and are Joe and Lucas’ parents.”

Lauren’s stomach dropped to her knees. Why hadn’t anyone told her the owners of the most successful eatery on the island would be here?

“That’s Gram and Poppy,” Mary Ann corrected.

“Only to us,” Pilar informed her.

The group laughed as the mothers instructed their offspring to hush.

“Beside them we have Joe and Beth and their daughters Mary Ann and Daphne, you know Roxie and Alex, then there’s Sid and Lucas with Pilar.”

“This is my restant,” the child announced.

“Yes, it is, sweetie,” Randy assured her.

“On this side we have Sam and Callie Edwards with their son Connor,” Will continued, “and Henri, of course.”

As she got to the empty chairs, the restaurant door swung open and Lauren looked over to see Mia walk through, followed by Nota and Nick. They must have been the two added to the group.

Her body stiffened as they approached and she struggled to keep her expression neutral. Nick smiled when their eyes met, and Lauren looked away.

“Thank you, all, for coming tonight,” she said, not waiting for Will to introduce the newcomers. “We have a full tasting prepared so you’ll get to try all of the options. Feedback is welcome and appreciated, good or bad, but we’ve done our best to make everything as tasty as possible so hopefully you’ll be more than satisfied.” Gesturing toward the waitstaff, she said, “Carla and her team will get your drink orders, and the appetizers will start coming out shortly. Thank you again, and I hope you enjoy the meal.”

Without another word, she spun and marched toward the kitchen, encountering Nick and Nota on the way.

“Lauren,” he said as she passed.

“Not now,