The Billionaire's Mistaken Mistress - Part 1 (Contemporary BWWM Romance) by Mia Caldwell

Chapter One
     
                  “If that guy at table four touches my ass one more time, I swear I'll bring a tray down on his goddamned head!” Jessie dropped the empty plates she was carrying onto the table by the kitchen sink. Burt Stiller, the aging owner of the diner and head cook, looked over at her with a raised eyebrow.
                  “And if you break anything, you pay for it.” he commented as he casually flipped burgers, shaking his head at his temperamental waitress.
                  Jessie made a face, wiped her forehead with her sleeve, and backed out of the kitchen's swinging door with a plate of hot food in each hand. The hungry guests were waiting, and she always worked hard to make sure they didn't stay waiting long. Her commitment to prompt, courteous service meant better tips, and at twenty-six she needed every dime she could get.
                  “Problem with that girl is she thinks she's too good for the men in here. Just because she goes to college she thinks she's better than the rest of us,” her coworker sneered as soon as Jesse had left the kitchen. Burt ignored her catty remark and continued manning the grill.
                  Melanie, a simple yet outspoken woman, was a full-time waitress at Burt's Diner. She watched the kitchen door swing closed, rolled her eyes towards the greasy kitchen ceiling, and followed Jessie out onto the diner floor. They were the only two waitresses on duty that evening, and thanks to its prime location the small diner was busy as usual.
                  It was an exhausting dinner rush, but Jessie preferred it when the diner was busy. Not only did the time pass quicker, she also brought home more money which was of utmost importance since this job was helping to pay her tuition. A packed restaurant also meant she didn't have to listen to Melanie's inane banter and the constant bitching about her supposed friend, Lorelle. Jessie didn't know and had never even met this Lorelle woman, but that didn't stop Melanie from going on about her.
                  When Jessie first took the part-time waitress gig a little over one year earlier, Melanie was the first person she'd spoken to. She thought they'd hit it off, what with them being two black girls from the same rough part of town and knowing a few of the same people. They were also close in age, but like so many people from their neighborhood, Melanie had dropped out of school which explained why Jessie had no recollection of her. She tried to connect with the girl, but the more she got to know Melanie the more she withdrew from her. Melanie had a big mouth, had zero interest in bettering herself, and Jessie knew for a fact that she wasn't honest when it came to taking payments. If the till was ever short, Jessie knew exactly who was to blame.
                  She never pointed a finger at her coworker, but the fact that she had purposely distanced herself from her made Melanie grow bitter towards her in a hurry. She constantly aimed smarmy comments at Jessie, referring to her as stuck up, and delighted in telling the rest of the staff how Jessie looked down her nose at them because she was the only waitress there getting a college education. Despite Melanie and her catty smear campaign, Jessie got along just fine with everyone. She had a love-hate relationship with her boss, Burt, who was as short-tempered as she was, and she tried her hardest to stay on his good side.
                  Even with all the friction between them, there was only one time when Jessie truly got upset with Melanie, and it had taken place a few months earlier. She took her schooling quite seriously, and it bothered her that Melanie had no respect for it.
                  “So what if I want to do well for myself?” Jessie had argued.
                  “It's a waste of time, girl. Ain't no way you're ever gonna'