Down to Business (Business Series) (18 page)

“Oh,” I said smiling as butterflies tickled my stomach, “You look handsome all dressed up.”

He bowed his head in a bashful manner and examined his clothes. “Thanks.”

“There you are…” Tina said, stepping up next to Vinny. “Uncle Tommy and Suz just called to say they are on the way. Your brother is late as usual. And cousin Reno and Deb should be walking in any second.”

“Okay,” he answered, not taking his eyes off me. Self-conscious, I tucked some hair behind my ear and smiled.

“How are your classes going?” he asked.

“Good,” I said, rolling a pen between my palms.

“There are tables open, Autumn. Seat the next guests.” Tina interrupted, looking between us.

He gave the counter a pat and smiled at me. “See you Auti.”

Regardless of Tina’s interruption, my heart skipped since he never called me Auti before. “Tell Uncle Tommy I said happy birthday.”

I bit down on the end of my pen, unable to resist watching his butt as he walked away.

“Why would you say hello to my brother?” Tina asked, with annoyance. “You’ve never met him.”

“Actually I have,” I answered checking the guest waiting list and grabbing a few menus. “Vinny took me to visit him at the nursing home. We all watched Jeopardy and ate Italian food together.”

I looked up to admire her look of surprise.

“Your brother is really good at Jeopardy isn’t he?” I flashed her a mocking smile just as Suz stepped through the door with Uncle Tommy hobbling on her arm. She was dressed in a sequined black cocktail dress and open toed pumps that made her look even longer and leaner than she actually was. Uncle Tommy was wearing a grey suit and a fedora hat that made him look like a mobster.

I was surprised when he looked up and recognized me. “Hey! Suz you didn’t tell me Vinny’s girlfriend works here. How are you doing sweetheart?” he asked, hobbling forward to grab my hand.

A burst of heat flooded my face as he held my hand in his. “Oh um, I’m good, but I’m not his—”

“She is
not
his girlfriend.” Vivian corrected, appearing out of nowhere with Vinny at her side.

Vinny released a short laugh as he walked over to Uncle Tommy and me. “Happy Birthday Uncle Tommy, let’s get you to the table.”

“I need some vino. Tina! Get me some vino!” he called out as Vinny walked him off.

Tina stood stone faced behind the counter and rolled her eyes.

“I’ll get it, Dad, just go sit down…” Suz called after him, whispering an apology as she walked past us.

Tina groaned and followed Suz, Vinny, Tommy, and Vivian to the table and I was left to man the counter alone. As I was planning to seat another guest, I looked up to see another Mazzola family member step through the door with a gift in silver wrapping paper. He looked related to Vinny but he was older and about forty pounds heavier. His black hair was slicked back, giving his forehead prominence over his face.

“I’m here for the Mazzola party,” he said with a New York accent, looking at me.

“They are at the private table in the back...” I said pointing over my shoulder. “Did you need me to seat –”

He didn’t give me time to finish my question before he headed for the table.

I turned around to see Anton standing behind me. “Tina is going to fire you if she catches you up here.”

“That’s Vinny’s brother, Jimmy.” Anton pointed out, glaring after him. “He’s a Wall Street banker. Rumor is he’s killed people for money and he’s in the mob. He’s a big fat prick.”

“Yeah, I noticed that.” I said, updating the seating chart. I glanced up over just in time to see Vivian grab onto Vinny’s arm and laugh obnoxiously at something Uncle Tommy said. I gritted my teeth and looked over at Anton who was also staring at her.

“Damn. Vivian has a
culo
to die for.” Anton noted and rubbed his lips together, watching her like she was a piece of meat.

“Nice. Why don’t you do me a favor and tell her she needs to get her big
culo
back here and do her job.”

He rubbed his chin and nodded. “I think I could do that.”

I rolled my eyes and watched him saunter off toward the table. I seated another party before Vivian showed up, playing with her hair.

“I need to take a quick break and make a phone call.” I said.

“Another one?”

“Yeah, another one. You’ll remember me telling you I’m taking one this time, right?”

She smirked. “I’ll try.”

I rolled my eyes and left the counter. After getting my cell phone out of my locker, I went to the outdoor patio area, which wasn’t being used. I saw that I missed a call from Lindy, so I called her back.

“Hey what’s going on?” I asked, sitting down at one of the tables and folding my legs beneath me.

“Nothing, I just got out of the shower. Tyler and I are going to a rush party tonight. You should come.”

“I don’t think so. I’m really tired and I just got news that my gram fell and had to be taken to the hospital.”

“Oh no! How bad is it?”

“So far all they know is she fractured her wrist. I’m waiting on CAT-scan details.”

“That’s horrible.”

“Yeah, I feel so bad I can’t be there.”

“Don’t worry, your gram is a tough old woman.”

“I know.” I covered a yawn with my palm and watched the non-stop traffic out on the street. “Have you heard anything about Tyler getting into Alpha Tau?”

“Not yet, that’s why we are going tonight. He’s probably going to be hanging around his frat friends so I will be alone if you don’t come.”

“I have been putting up with Vivian’s shit all night, the last thing I want to do is go to a party with a bunch of annoying drunks.”

“Is she still being a bitch to you?”

“Of course, but she also tried to get me fired. I got the call from my mother about my gram and I stepped outside for two-minutes to talk to her, and Vivian said I left the counter and never told her. Tina pulled me into her office and gave me a warning about leaving for a break without letting anyone know and then she caught me with my cell phone in my pocket. I was so annoyed. I know Vivian saw the note I left that said I was taking a break, but she claims she had no idea. Between her clinging to Vinny like a fucking monkey and trying to get me in trouble with Tina, I just want to quit.”

“Just ignore her.”

“How? I work right beside her. Were so close it’s an invasion of personal space.”

“Don’t take her seriously. She’s a passive aggressive bitch.”

I sighed. “I better get back inside.”

“Okay, if you change your mind about the party let me know.”

“I will.”

“Love you. Bye.” she said, hanging up.

I spent the last five minutes of my break using the bathroom and then I got back to work. I did my best to ignore Vivian for the rest of my shift, and it was working for a while until I came back from seating a party of seven and Vinny was at the counter talking to Vivian.

He took notice of me immediately.

“Hey Autumn,” he said.

“Hi Vinny,” I said trying to act nonchalant while I straitened the stack of menu’s behind the counter. “Is dinner over already?”

“Yeah. Uncle Tommy’s bedtime is at eight. I also got the news that my father just got paroled and he’s going to be out by Thanksgiving.”

“Oh…how long has it been since you saw him?”

“Over a year,” he answered before looking down at his cell phone. “Hey, I just got a text from my friend and it looks like there is a kegger happening at Alpha Tau tonight. Are you going?”

“I wasn’t planning on it.” I said shrugging. “I think Lindy and Tyler are going.”

“I’m going.” Vivian interjected.

“Well if you decide to go, let me know. I’ll give you a lift.” He said looking at me.

“What about me?” Vivian scoffed.

“You have to go home and primp for an hour and a half. I know Autumn is gonna actually show up before the party is over.”

I laughed a little and smiled at Vivian.

“Whatever,” she said, rolling her eyes.

“You really should come, Autumn. I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise.” Vinny said with a convincing smile.

How could I say no?

“Oh fine. I guess I will go…” I said with a sigh, as if he was twisting my arm.

“I’ll be back at closing time to get you.” He winked at me. “See you then.”

“Kay,” I said, grinning.

Vivian glared at his backside as he walked off without a goodbye to her. For all the bad news I had tonight, at least I had something to look forward to after all.

By the time eleven o’ clock rolled around, my feet were sore and I was ready to go to bed. The last place I wanted to end up was a party, but when Vinny came through the doors, I knew I couldn’t back out.

“Are you ready?” he asked, leaning on the counter.

“I just have to grab my things and—”

“What are you doing back here?” Tina asked, coming up behind me.

“I’m picking up Autumn.”

“She doesn’t have a car?”

“No.” Vivian answered for me with a snort, appearing next to Tina.

Vinny gave Vivian a dirty look. “Most college kids can’t afford their own car.”

Vivian crossed her arms. “Yeah well, they should find a new job so they can afford one.”

I narrowed my gaze at her as I absorbed the stab of her words.

“I don’t mind helping her.” Vinny shot back and then glanced at me. “Come on Autumn, let’s go.”

“I just need to go grab my stuff.” I felt like a freeloader as I left the counter, aware of Vivian watching me.

Why did she have to be such a bitch?

I made my way to the back. Before I could finish getting my things out of my locker, Vivian came up behind me.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“What does it look like?” I asked without looking at her and sliding my purse over my shoulder.

“Don’t talk down to me!”

Her hand shot out and slammed my locker closed. I froze and stared at her maroon nails splayed over the door like bloody claws.

“We’re off the clock and I don’t need to be nice to you. Stay away from
him,
do you hear me?” she growled at my backside.

I slowly turned around to face her. “What if he doesn’t want me to?”

Her lips pulled into a sneer and her nostrils flared. “Look bitch, I know you think you are cute with your little game you’re playing to get between Vinny and I, but it’s not going to work. He’s not into you. He feels bad for you because you’re a poor loser with no friends. You do realize that there’s nothing you could offer him, right? You’re just a scrawny, little ginger bitch with no money, car, tits or ass.”

I glared at her and my reply flowed from my lips before I could swallow it back down. “I guess I’ll have to rely on my personality then, since you don’t have one.”

Her lips parted in surprise and her eyes narrowed to pissed off little slits. I leaned back as she pointed her red claw in my face. “Look here you fucking little—”

Vinny appeared in the doorway.

She snapped her hand back, combed it through her hair, and released a deep breath. I watched her nostrils flare with frustration as she turned away and pretended as if nothing happened.

“You ready, Autumn?”

“Yeah.” I released a deep breath, feeling my anxiety melt away. I made sure my locker was secure before I walked over to Vinny.

Before we could leave, Vivian marched over and stood before Vinny, her gaze devious as she ran her nails over his chest. “I’ll see you tonight,” she cooed and wrapped her arms around his neck, planting a firm kiss on his lips.

His body tensed and his hand came up to grab the doorframe to steady himself. My heart clenched, sending jealousy ricocheting into the pit of my stomach.

She pulled away and reached around to give his ass a squeeze, making his hips jerk into hers. “Bye.” She murmured, then moved past him, flashing me a cold smirk. I glared after her, watching her middle finger come up to salute me before she disappeared around the corner.

Fucking Bitch!

I didn’t think it was possible to hate anyone as much as I hated her.

When I looked back at Vinny, he frowned at me. “Let’s get outta here.”

He led me out of the back door of the restaurant and we hopped into his car that was parked in the alley only a few feet away. Once we were driving, the anger I felt over my confrontation with Vivian boiled to the surface and my eyes stung. I gave thought to seriously quitting my job. I didn’t need this sort of drama.

“Is it okay if we swing by my dorm so I can change?” he asked. “I don’t feel like getting douche bag mobster comments from the guys because I’m dressed up.”

“That’s fine.”

“Did you need to change too? I could drop you off—”

“No. I’m fine. I’ll go in my work clothes. I don’t really give a shit.” I frowned and staring out the passenger window.

He glanced over at me. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just great,” I said, not sparing him a glance.

He sighed. “I’m guessing you’re pissed about what happened back there in the break room. Autumn, there’s nothing—”

“I don’t give a shit what you do with Vivian,” I interrupted. “If you want to kiss that sociopathic bitch, that’s your choice.”