Christmas at the Restaurant (The Nantucket Restaurant #2)(20)

“I’ll walk you over.”

Five minutes later, they reached the entrance to Mimi’s Place, and Alex pulled her in for a hug and surprised her with a quick kiss goodbye.

“I’ll see you next Friday for the party. Do you want to swing by to get me around six-thirty?”

“Sure, see you then.”





“Do you think he’ll take it? If not, I could see if they might be able to do a sign on bonus. I don’t want to do that though unless we know he’s a lock, if he really wants it. Okay, call me on Monday.” Billy put his phone down and ran a hand through his hair which was already mussed up and going in different directions.

“Is it Colby? Did they come in with a low offer?” Jill asked. She guessed by the conversation that Billy was talking about his search at Colby Financial. They were a good client, but their salaries tended to be a little below market which made closing candidates on their jobs challenging. It was unusual that Billy would take a business call on a Saturday, but Eric was one of their newer recruiters and didn’t hear back from his candidate by end of the day on Friday so when he finally did, he called Billy, nervous that his deal was about to fall apart.

Billy nodded. “I don’t think I can get the base salary up, but they might flex to do more on the bonus. They’ll have to if they want to get the best candidates.” He walked over, put his hands on Jill’s shoulders and began kneading the muscles there. Jill closed her eyes and relaxed. Billy gave the best neck and shoulder massages. They spent so much time on the phone in their business that their muscles often tightened up.

She opened her eyes and glanced out the window at the ocean. It was windy and the water was choppy with white-capped waves. Mandy’s house was close enough that they could faintly hear the sound of the surf hitting the sand. It was louder in the summer months when the windows were open. It was a beautiful view, peaceful and relaxing.

“I have to admit, the pace here has been a nice change.” Even though the restaurant got busy, it was a different kind of busy and when they were done with their shift, there was no work that went home with them. Still, Jill and Billy loved recruiting and she knew by the time they went back, after the New Year, that they’d both be ready to get back in the office and be chaotically busy again. They both thrived on the energy and fast pace.

Billy sat on the edge of the bed, and Jill stood and started kneading his shoulders.

“It’s been fun so far and great seeing your family,” he said. “Mom called earlier while you were in the shower. I told her we’d head out to see them for our second Christmas the weekend after New Year’s.”

“That’s perfect. I hope she’s not too sad that we won’t be there on Christmas Day?” Jill felt bad about that, but it was impossible to see both families.

“When I told her that next year we’ll spend it with them, she was fine with it.”

“Good. And at least your brother and sister will be there.”

Billy laughed. “Right. I told her she won’t even miss us. She didn’t think that was funny.”

* * *

Mandy was on her way out when Jill and Billy arrived at the restaurant. She’d worked the lunch shift and was going out to dinner with Matt and his friend Kevin and his date.

“Whoever that is, he didn’t say. I have no idea who Kevin’s dating now. He’s Matt’s best friend and he said he hasn’t gone on a date in ages.”

“Well, have fun,” Jill said. “You can tell us all about it when we get home.”

“Thanks. Here’s the reservations book. We’re steady but there’s room for some last-minute reservations or walk-ins.” She turned it around so Billy and Emma who had walked over, could see.

“Great, we’re on it,” Billy said.

Jill made her way over to the bar where Gina had just arrived and was tying her apron around her waist. She helped Gina stock the bar for the night, made sure they had plenty of ice, changed a beer keg, and cut more fruit for garnishes.

Once they were all set, Jill poured herself a glass of water and leaned against the bar while Gina fished around in her apron for an elastic band and pulled her hair into a ponytail.

“So, how’s it going with that guy you went on the date with? Mandy said you had a good time.”

“With Alex? We did. We went to the movies this afternoon too and next Friday I’m going to his company’s Christmas party.”

“Wow, so you really like this guy, then?”

Gina hesitated. “I think so. It’s not that big of a deal going to his company party though. I think he just needed a date and didn’t want to go alone. I am curious to check out the place they are having it though. It’s at the Whitley, have you been there?”

Jill nodded. “Yes, Cory always has his Christmas parties there. It’s very exclusive and expensive and he likes everyone to know that. Mandy used to go every year and she took me one year when I was visiting. I’m sure you’ll have a great time—he pulls out all the stops.”

“It’s that fancy, huh? I might need to go shopping. I haven’t worn a cocktail dress since I moved here and very rarely before that.”

“That will be fun. I’d get a little black dress, something you can wear again. You can’t go wrong with that. Or actually with your hair, a red dress would be gorgeous.”