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Chapter 1

Layla

Glancing at the clock, I see it’s alht weekend shifts Tonight, however, has been a nonstop flow, andme I know it’s my shoes; they’re a couple of years old, and I wear them every day that I work, which with all the extra shifts I take is a lot Unfortunately, new shoes are not in the budget Besides, the tips are always better on the weekends and especially at night The more they drink, the more they tip I live paycheck to paycheck, so every dollar counts

“Layla, VIP suite, a party of one,” my coworker, Oliver, calls out for me

I sigh He knows da a lass of water and head that way The VIP suite is always good for tips It’s a sh to enjoy private conversations I’ve seen uess is since it’s a party of one, Oliver didn’t feel it orth his tie He’s only here to appease thes up—he himself will tell you I, on the other hand, do not have the luxury of being that choosy I take all the tables I can get

The VIP suite is e with his head down, staring at the phone in his hands “Welcome to the Eht Can I start you off with solass of water on a coaster and place hismy order pad and pen out of my apron, I wait patiently for him to look up at me

“What do you suggest?” he asks, still looking at his phone

His voice is deep and sexy He’s in a business suit, but he’s removed his tie and unbuttoned the top two buttons He looks officially sexy if that’s a thing I open non or the grilled sals I stu eous Dark hair, with a thick beard covering his face Intense blue eyes that I could easily get lost in I see lots of good-looking guys couy I’ve ever laid eyes on

“Layla,” he says, his deep ti life to my name

“I-I’m sorry” I then ramble off a few of our most popular menu items

“Filet is fine Well done, salad, no dressing, and broccoli,” he says without even opening the menu