Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 98789 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98789 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Somehow, he managed to find a minute to make everyone feel special, keep up with his work, and make sure I was doing okay. We made it to two o’clock, which was when Moe’s closed for a couple hours before opening back up for dinner. After locking the door, I poured out the coffee and wiped down the machine while Dash carried a final tray full of dirty dishes to the kitchen.
“So now what?” he asked when he came out.
“Now I finish up, grab something to eat, and open for the dinner shift. But you can go,” I added quickly.
“How long is the dinner shift?”
“Four to nine. We close a little earlier on Sunday nights.”
“I’ll stay and help you. Austin is coming in with his family for dinner.”
“Dash, you should eat with your family.” I checked the napkin supply behind the counter. “I have another server coming in at four, and my aunt is coming in to close. You don’t have to work.”
“I know I don’t have to work. I want to.” He tugged one of the curls that had escaped my sloppy bun and let it spring back. “Stop trying to get rid of me, Sugar.”
I tilted my face down toward the counter so he wouldn’t see me smile.
FOUR
dash
News travels fast in a small town—and on the internet.
By the time Moe’s opened up for dinner, word had gotten out that I was working there today. Swarms of girls came in, the older ones with friends, the younger ones with their parents. The moms were often just as excited as the kids, and in between making their milkshakes, serving them burgers and fries, and refilling their soft drinks, I must have taken a hundred photos and starred in dozens of videos wearing that apron, setting down a plate with a grin.
Pics and reels from this morning and afternoon had already hit social media and gone viral, garnering thousands of likes and hundreds of shares within a couple hours. My agent was thrilled.
Dash! This organic traction is fantastic!
Milk called. They want to offer you a sponsorship. Apparently they recently fired some loudmouth bull rider for bad behavior, but they love your wholesome vibe.
No to Milk. Let me know if Whiskey calls. Any progress on the audition for All We’ve Lost?
Not yet. But I made a call and told them you’d like to be considered for Johnny. I’m waiting to hear back.
Who’s the girl???
An old friend. Her family owns the diner.
You look adorable together.
We’re not together.
You’re hopeless.
I stuck my phone back in my pocket.
Austin arrived with Veronica and his eight-year-old twins, Adelaide and Owen, who were giddy that their celebrity uncle was in town. Veronica, a tall, beautiful blonde with a friendly smile, greeted me with a hug.
“I’ve heard so much about you,” she said. “It’s so nice to finally meet you.”
My brother hardly took his eyes off her, and they sat close on one side of the booth. He also kept an arm around her shoulder, which surprised me.
Ari came rushing over, and from the way Veronica popped up again and embraced her, I could tell they were good friends. When I returned to the table with water for everyone, Ari was explaining the bandage on her hand. “I wasn’t being careful enough with my knife, and I sliced my finger.”
“Did you need stitches?” my nephew Owen asked.
“I did, and I hate needles,” she said, wrinkling her nose. “Lucky for me, your uncle Dash stayed and held my hand.”
“Did he?” Veronica glanced back and forth between Ari and me, a peculiar smile on her face that made me wonder what Ari had told her about me. “How sweet.”
“What’s with the apron?” Austin asked me with a grin. “You give up on the whole acting thing?”
“Nope, just helping out,” I said, setting the water glasses down. “Ari was short-staffed today—and injured as well.”
Veronica laughed. “Well, the internet has certainly taken notice—not to mention the entire town of Cherry Tree Harbor. I’ve never seen this place so busy on a Sunday night.”
“Dash is definitely good for business,” Ari said with a laugh. “Too bad my parents aren’t here to see it.”
Adelaide tugged on my apron. “Our teacher is sitting over there. Can we introduce you?”
“We want to ask her if we can bring you in for Show and Tell,” added Owen.
I glanced at Ari as the bell above the door rang again, bringing new customers in. “Go ahead,” she said with a grin. “It’s fine. I think you’ll make an excellent specimen for Show and Tell.”
The dinner rush was pretty much over by eight. I poked my head into the office, where Ari sat at the desk, hunched over a binder. “Hey. How’s your hand?”
“It’s okay. You can go now.” She swiveled the chair to face me. “Things are quiet, and my aunt Elena is here to close.”