“Like tipping coffee over someone’s head?” she whispered back.
“Yeah, that would do it.”
“Or argue when a guest complains about the food?”
“Not in my dining room.”
“I’ll try not to injure anyone else.”
“I’d appreciate that.” His face was deadpan but Debra caught the teasing twinkle in his eyes.
George was an amenable boss. He managed to kid and joke with his staff, teasing them unmercifully at times. His being privy to her real identity didn’t preclude Debra from the teasing edge of his tongue.
She sensed his respect for her was no greater than his respect for any of his staff. She filed away George’s obvious potential for advancement in the back of her mind for later.
Right now she had to get all the way across the dining room with two heavy coffee pots and fill up numerous cups for the Japanese guests sitting near the windows—all without tripping over, dropping anything, spilling coffee, or upsetting guests. All with Jase’s eyes locked on her.
Ignore him, she commanded as she gingerly poured coffee from the full pot to the first of the guests enjoying their breakfast. Or seeing that isn’t working so well, imagine him in his underwear.
Her hand wobbled and coffee slurped over the cup and splashed onto the tablecloth. Hastily placing the pot on an empty table behind her, she grabbed a napkin and urgently mopped up the spill, apologising in fluent Japanese as she did so.
The delighted smiles from around the table helped restore her confidence and she managed to serve their coffee without further incident.
A glance across to where Jase stood, now talking with George, caused her hand to tremble again and her pulse rate galloped until she’d torn her eyes away. Imagining Jase McEwan in a pair of tight little briefs did nothing to ease her agitation.
Struggling to calm her heightened breathing she continued to refill coffees and express her hope the guests’ ongoing journey would be enjoyable, before returning to the kitchen.
“George wasn’t aware you spoke Japanese.” The words close to her ear were almost an accusation.
Debra replaced the empty coffee pots on a nearby trolley and turned. She blinked a couple of times and was relieved to see Jase was again fully clothed.
Debra’s hackles rose at his subtle suggestion she might be hiding something. “The question never arose.”
The force and unexpectedness of Jase’s smile robbed her of intelligent thought. His mouth opened in a dazzling show of perfect white teeth highlighting the natural tan of his skin. Her breath caught somewhere deep in her chest and all she could do was stare.
“Are you fluent?”
Debra’s head nodded and she croaked an explanation. “I did a student exchange when I was in high school.” What’s the matter with me? Take control. Her voice strengthened. “I spent a year in Kyoto.”
“Another language is a great asset, particularly in tourism. It could help you climb the ladder if you wanted a career in the industry.”
Debra listened with rising dismay. After Cathy’s championing of his methods, she guessed Jase was about to suggest training or courses or—her heart raced like a startled rabbit—maybe even private tutoring.
“Ah—umm.” Think, think, she demanded of her brain.
“Debra, table four needs clearing please.”
Never before had Debra been so relieved to hear another voice. She ignored Jase and hurried away to comply with George’s order. Catching his wink as she hurried past him with hands full of dirty dishes moments later she grinned in response. George had saved her from some awkward explanations.
****
Debra wasn’t due back on duty until four. While eating a leisurely lunch in the staff dining room, the object of her thoughts stopped beside her table.
“Mind if I join you?” Jase’s smile was filled with confidence. As if no woman had ever refused such a request.
More composed than she’d been earlier, she nodded. Time spent with Jase, particularly
“Yeah, that would do it.”
“Or argue when a guest complains about the food?”
“Not in my dining room.”
“I’ll try not to injure anyone else.”
“I’d appreciate that.” His face was deadpan but Debra caught the teasing twinkle in his eyes.
George was an amenable boss. He managed to kid and joke with his staff, teasing them unmercifully at times. His being privy to her real identity didn’t preclude Debra from the teasing edge of his tongue.
She sensed his respect for her was no greater than his respect for any of his staff. She filed away George’s obvious potential for advancement in the back of her mind for later.
Right now she had to get all the way across the dining room with two heavy coffee pots and fill up numerous cups for the Japanese guests sitting near the windows—all without tripping over, dropping anything, spilling coffee, or upsetting guests. All with Jase’s eyes locked on her.
Ignore him, she commanded as she gingerly poured coffee from the full pot to the first of the guests enjoying their breakfast. Or seeing that isn’t working so well, imagine him in his underwear.
Her hand wobbled and coffee slurped over the cup and splashed onto the tablecloth. Hastily placing the pot on an empty table behind her, she grabbed a napkin and urgently mopped up the spill, apologising in fluent Japanese as she did so.
The delighted smiles from around the table helped restore her confidence and she managed to serve their coffee without further incident.
A glance across to where Jase stood, now talking with George, caused her hand to tremble again and her pulse rate galloped until she’d torn her eyes away. Imagining Jase McEwan in a pair of tight little briefs did nothing to ease her agitation.
Struggling to calm her heightened breathing she continued to refill coffees and express her hope the guests’ ongoing journey would be enjoyable, before returning to the kitchen.
“George wasn’t aware you spoke Japanese.” The words close to her ear were almost an accusation.
Debra replaced the empty coffee pots on a nearby trolley and turned. She blinked a couple of times and was relieved to see Jase was again fully clothed.
Debra’s hackles rose at his subtle suggestion she might be hiding something. “The question never arose.”
The force and unexpectedness of Jase’s smile robbed her of intelligent thought. His mouth opened in a dazzling show of perfect white teeth highlighting the natural tan of his skin. Her breath caught somewhere deep in her chest and all she could do was stare.
“Are you fluent?”
Debra’s head nodded and she croaked an explanation. “I did a student exchange when I was in high school.” What’s the matter with me? Take control. Her voice strengthened. “I spent a year in Kyoto.”
“Another language is a great asset, particularly in tourism. It could help you climb the ladder if you wanted a career in the industry.”
Debra listened with rising dismay. After Cathy’s championing of his methods, she guessed Jase was about to suggest training or courses or—her heart raced like a startled rabbit—maybe even private tutoring.
“Ah—umm.” Think, think, she demanded of her brain.
“Debra, table four needs clearing please.”
Never before had Debra been so relieved to hear another voice. She ignored Jase and hurried away to comply with George’s order. Catching his wink as she hurried past him with hands full of dirty dishes moments later she grinned in response. George had saved her from some awkward explanations.
****
Debra wasn’t due back on duty until four. While eating a leisurely lunch in the staff dining room, the object of her thoughts stopped beside her table.
“Mind if I join you?” Jase’s smile was filled with confidence. As if no woman had ever refused such a request.
More composed than she’d been earlier, she nodded. Time spent with Jase, particularly
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