Page 40 of Daycare Santa
“See anything you like?” Zack asked.
“The shrimp in garlic sauce sounds good.” Gina tapped the menu. “I like codfish fritters, too.”
“I’d top that up with some sweet and spicy chicken wings and beef kebabs.” He peered at the list, then said, “We should add some cocktail patties, and mac and cheese balls.”
“Sounds like you’re feeding a small army,” Jamila quipped.
“I didn’t have lunch,” Zack said.
Wearing a deadpan face, Eli added, “Plus, he eats like a blue whale.”
“Says the man who puts away food like he’s in a famine.”
While the twins teased each other and placed their food and drink orders, Gina scanned their surroundings. She hadn’t been inside this bar, which had a cozy atmosphere and clearly catered to an upscale crowd.
The clever arrangement of seating ensured that customers wouldn’t overhear each other’s conversations, and each table had uniformed wait staff. The larger groups had two assigned.
As they waited for their food and chatted over drinks, Gina listened keenly to the twins and Jamila. When she asked how they met, Gina told the tale of being ogled by Santa.
Zack bumped her arm gently, then said, “She’s leaving out the part where her son asked me to get her a boyfriend.”
“For real?” Eli asked while pouring Schweppes over ice.
Gina rested her fingertips at the center of her forehead, covering her face. “I’ve never been so embarrassed in my life.”
Zack chuckled, then swallowed a mouthful of sorrel beer. “Kids say the funniest things.”
“I’ll bet you were happy when you laid eyes on Gina, though.”
“That’s right,” Zack agreed, and shared a fist bump with Eli.
Gina’s phone buzzed in her lap and she pulled it out. “Excuse me, I have to get this.”
She read the message from the client whose function was two days away and her stomach sank. Sharone wanted to add another thirty servings to her food order. Already, Gina’s operations were stretched to capacity, and she was working with two-thirds of her normal staff. Thanks to the madness with Nichelle.
Could she do it? It was difficult to say no, especially since she was already catering the dinner. Still, thirty additional servings presented a challenge. She’d have to be on location, which put her in an impossible position. What would she do about Luca?
She looked up when their waiter and an assistant arrived with their order. Gnawing at the inside of her lip, Gina racked her brain about how to respond to Sharone.
“What’s wrong?” Zack asked next to her ear.
“Nothing really, just thinking about how to answer this text.”
He moved slightly to allow the waiter to lay the plate on the mat, then focused on her again. The concern in his eyes made her say, “My client wants to increase her order.”
“Isn’t that good news?”
“I’m short staffed, but the truth is I can’t say no.” She raised one hand. “I’m already booked for the function.”
“It will work out.”
“Guess so.” She sent confirmation to Sharone, then put the phone back in her purse, but Thursday’s arrangements weighed on her mind. Still, she believed in being present in the moment and this one was definitely not to be missed. Zack hadn’t put a foot wrong yet, except for the dog mishap, and she could overlook it since she now understood the circumstances.
“How’s the shrimp?” Zack asked.
She dabbed her lips and replaced the napkin on her lap. “Good. So are the fritters.”
“You should try the seasoned fries. This place does a good job every time.”