Read Online No Longer Needed by Brenda Grate - Free Book Online Page B

some from the warmth of the day, but it felt nice after the heat of the kitchen. Connie pulled off her chef coat and tossed it over her shoulder. Sometimes she liked to walk around the restaurant during her breaks, watching from the side to see who came for dinner. She hadn’t done it in far too long.
    The street in front of Il Giardino had no parking room left. Someone getting out of a car double-parked in front of the restaurant caught Connie’s eye just as she went to turn away.  
    Connie pressed herself against the side of the brick building and watched Jennifer Jenkins make her way to the front doors. Whoever had dropped her off pulled into the parking lot across the street and took the spot of a diner who was just leaving. Connie peeked around to the doors where Jen waited for the driver.  
    Her curiosity piqued, Connie stepped back in the shadows and watched the driver cross the street. Jen had always let Connie know when she was coming in for dinner. She couldn’t be trying to hide anything, or why would she have come to Il Giardino, but it was odd that she didn’t call first. It was a weekday evening, so Jen would know she’d be able to get a table, especially as she was part of the family.
    I wonder who she’s having dinner with …
    The breath caught in her throat as the young man came into the street lights.  
    Now that’s a man!
    Connie fanned her face and smiled, then she lost her smile and peeked around the side of the building again. He was definitely not Jen’s normal type.
    Connie watched while the man put his arm around Jen and guided her through the door. He leaned down and whispered something in her ear and Jen didn’t move away, something she would normally do. Jen had always kept her distance from her dates, showed them who was in control, but with this guy she seemed to be practically glued to his side.
    Connie raced around to the back door and into the kitchen. She had to know who he was and what Jen was doing with him.
    After all, I’m her godmother!
    The kitchen looked busier than ever and Connie felt some guilt that she’d taken so long on her break. She moved to the prep table and elbowed Melissa aside. Without a word, Melissa moved toward the back door for her break, wiping her brow on her arm as she walked.
    Carl, one of the wait staff, entered the kitchen. Connie called him over.  
    “My niece and a date just showed up. Did you seat them?”  
    Connie had always felt it easier to call Jen her niece to other people, just as Jen always called her Auntie Con. She and Emma were close enough to be sisters.
    “Angela did, but I’ll be their waiter. Don’t worry. I’ll give them great service.”
    Connie smiled. “You always give everyone great service, Carl. I want to know what they order. When it’s ready, I’ll take it out to them.”
    “Sure thing,” Carl said over his shoulder as he grabbed two plates and swung back out the door.
    “Your niece is here, Con?” Rick called from the pasta station.
    “Yep, and you can just stay in the kitchen,” Connie shot back at him.  
    Rick had crushed on Jen for a long time. Connie told him he was far too old for her and definitely not Jen’s type, but Rick didn’t care. He always asked about her and tried to maneuver his way into being the one to bring out her meal. Jen liked him a lot and didn’t seem to be drawn in by his flirting, but Connie was never too careful where Jen was concerned.
    The time flew while Connie did prep-work, then covered for Rick while he took his break. She watched until Jen and her date’s meals were ready, then she pulled off her coat and picked up the plates. She wore a pink T-shirt and jeans with her hair pulled back into a messy bun. She definitely didn’t look like the owner of a prestigious restaurant and Connie liked it that way. She had never been one to fit into anyone’s mold.
    “Well, hello, Jennifer,” Connie crowed as she swept up to her table with the two plates held aloft.
    Jen