“That bad, huh?”
Griffin sighed. “No experience and wants to work only day shifts. First, we aren’t that big of a place, and I specifically said in the posting that I am looking for someone to work nights and weekends.”
“I don’t get it,” Casey said. “That’s where you make all your money too. Griffin’s day regulars don’t tip worth a shit.”
“Casey.”
“I’m kidding. I know you have a soft spot for some of those old guys.”
“No, you’re right. They don’t tip well. You make a lot more money working nights than days.”
“Are you going to miss all those tips if you stop working so many nights?” I asked him.
He smiled at me. “Nah. I have something even better than money.”
He meant sex. And me.
It had been over a month since my birthday, and Griffin and I still had our arrangement going on. Neither of us had met the person of our dreams so far, and neither one of us wanted to stop sleeping with the other.
Quite the opposite. Griffin and I spent almost every night together. I was getting more sex now than when I’d had a real boyfriend.
But Griffin had realized he was getting tired of the late nights all the time, so he’d decided he could afford to hire someone else, and then he could go to bed earlier on more nights.
“What’s better than money?” Casey asked.
“Sleep,” I said.
She shook her head. “You two aren’t that old,” she said and walked away.
“What the hell? I’m not old.”
Griffin smiled. “You do have eight years on her.”
“I’m still not old,” I yelled loud enough for Casey to hear me.
She turned around. “You are when you pick sleep over money.”
“Griffin, I’m sorry, but you’ll need to find two new bartenders. Casey’s ass needs to go.”
He leaned on the bar, so we were face-to-face. “I’m not firing my best bartender because she called us old.”
“Then, take it out of her Christmas bonus.”
“I don’t give them a Christmas bonus.”
“You are a horrible boss. Casey should quit for that reason alone.”
Griffin laughed. “Someone is feisty today. First, I should fire her, but now, you’re on her side, and she should quit.”
I frowned. “I just got my period, so that means no sexy times tonight.”
“That’s okay, babe. You and I went years without having sex. A couple nights won’t kill us. Besides, you know your period doesn’t bother me.”
“I know,” I said in a pouty voice. I was always crampy the first few days, which was the main reason we refrained from having sex.
I sat back in my seat and looked up at his daily sign.
What is your favorite Thanksgiving side dish?
“Are you still going to your aunt’s on Thanksgiving?” I asked. The holiday was three days away.
“Yep. Your mom still hosting?”
“Yes. Are we still planning to leave our Thanksgiving get-togethers early and spend the night together?”
He grinned. “Yes.”
“Good, but not until I get some cheesy hash browns and scalloped corn.”
“Cheesy hash browns and scalloped corn, huh?”
I pointed to his sign. “They’re my favorite side dishes. I don’t think we’ve ever spent Thanksgiving together. What’s yours?”
“Mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie.”
“Pumpkin pie is dessert.”
“Not for me. I have a piece with dinner and then another for dessert.”
“Your mother spoils you rotten. No wonder you can’t find a woman.”
He laughed and met my eyes. “Nah. Right now, I just don’t want to.”
Twenty-Nine
Griffin
I sat back in my chair and rubbed my stomach. “The food was excellent, as always. I don’t think I could eat another bite,” I said.
“Thank you, Griffin,” my aunt Ophelia said.
“Now, how about dessert?” I joked.
Everyone at the table groaned. I was pretty sure they were all as full as I was.
“Let’s give everyone a half hour or so,” Ophelia said. “Then, we’ll break out the pie.”
I looked at my watch. It was already after two in the afternoon, and I had plans to meet Madeline at her house by four.
I pushed my chair back and stood. “I’ll help with dishes.”
My mom’s jaw dropped. “Are you feeling okay?”
I chuckled. “Why do you ask?”
“Because I usually have to pull your teeth to get you to help. You always run off and watch football with your dad.”
I shrugged. “Shame on me then. I should help more.”
My mom shook her head as she stood. “My son has been replaced by a robot,” she muttered as she carried her own plate to the kitchen.
I picked up as many plates as I could and followed her.
An hour and a half later, we had finished dessert, and I was itching to leave. I was trying to get into the game, but four o’clock was inching closer, and my aunt lived about forty-five minutes from Madeline. I was already going to be late, but I was starting to feel bad about leaving. I hadn’t skipped out on Thanksgiving since high school.
“Griffin, if you want to leave, then leave,” my dad said out of nowhere.
“What?”
“It’s obvious you want to go, son.”
“Will Mom be upset?”
My father laughed. “You’re a thirty-year-old man. Your mom will be fine. Especially if you tell her you’re leaving early to see a woman.”
“But that’s not—” Well, it was kind of true. “I don’t want to lie.”
“You’re going to see Madeline, right?”
“Yes.”
“And is she a woman?”
I smiled. She most certainly was. “Yes.”
“Then, it’s not a lie.”
I shook my head and laughed. “You know Mom is going to think other things, so it’s kind of a lie.” Then, I threw my arm around my dad. “But thanks for the support.”
He hugged me back. “You’re welcome. Now, get out of here.”
I went to find my mom. “Hey, Mom. I gotta go.” I looked at my aunt. “Thanks for everything.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Where are you going?” Mom asked.
“I’m going to meet someone.”
“Griffin, aren’t you a little old to be leaving early on Thanksgiving to go and get drunk with your friends?”
“Mom, I haven’t done something like that in years. I’m not going to meet my friends.” I thought about my dad’s advice. “I’m going to meet a woman, okay?”
My mom’s eyes lit up. “You are? Who?”
“I’m not telling you. It’s still new. Don’t get too excited, okay?”
She nodded way too enthusiastically. “Okay.” She pulled me into a hug. “Have fun. Tell this woman hi for me.”