#Chapter 20 – Accepting Help
Abby

“Stop joking around,” I say, placing my empty glass on the ground. “This is serious.”

“I’m not joking.”

We stare across the room at each other. I kind of want to laugh, but something tells me he wouldn’t

appreciate that. Still, there’s no way he’s going to come into my restaurant and work in the back. He

might think he wants to help, but I’m not sure he knows what that job actually entails. Plus, it’s not like

he has tons of free time on his hands. He’s an Alpha. Even if the pack is in a better position, there’s still

a million things he has to do on a daily basis.

“Okay, whatever you say,” I answer, opting for levity.

He frowns, a determined look on his face. “Why won’t you let me help you?”

“I just don’t think you understand what you’re saying.”

He rolls his eyes. “I understand perfectly fine, thank you.”

I can tell I’ve offended him a little, but I don’t feel all that bad about it. I need real help. Actual

employees. Not my ex-husband stacking dishes in the back. I doubt he’s cleaned a dish in his life.

“I just don’t think you have the time.”

“I know what I have time for and what I don’t,” he answers. “And I’m no stranger to hard work.”

“Well, Ethan and I are going over everything at the restaurant tomorrow. So, if you still want to help,

you can show up sometime in the morning.” I don’t expect him to show up at all. “Fine,” he says,

leaning back in his chair with a self-satisfied smile. “Then I’ll see you there.”

Ethan watches me finish my second coffee of the morning, a look of concern on his face. After last

night’s debacle, I’m both hungover and exhausted. By the time I went to bed, I had maybe four hours of

uninterrupted sleep before I had to wake up and drag myself over here.

If this headache isn’t a sign that I shouldn’t drink that much ever again, then I don’t know what is.

“We need to get up and running before those negative reviews have time to fester,” I say.

The most important thing is that I get ahead of the competition. I can’t disappear completely, and just

recede into the background. If I’m going to maintain my position as a must-go spot, then I need to

reopen immediately.

Ethan my new restaurant manager on the spot, a promotion

and fear. While he doesn’t have a ton of experience yet, he’s

Especially after

up to the task. He’s already proven a delight to work with.

employees I’ve had. I know his injury makes

it hasn’t slowed him

the pain. And now that he’ll be

front desk, hopefully his shifts will be easier for him. If I can even stay afloat

is.

most important thing is getting new people,”

by taking stock of the food and all future orders. By the time

a nervous sweat. If I don’t hire new people soon,

need to hire staff on an expedited basis,” I say, turning to my computer. I’ve already written the

online. “Even if some people don’t last, at least

They just need to be good enough to get things

“I agree.”

taking reservations and greeting customers. I’ll work back here as

If we can get a few good waiters and a decent bartender, then we’ll

“Exactly.”

loud knock at the front door,

when I see him start

into his chair. I cross the restaurant floor and unlock the door.

a pair of sunglasses on. His business suit looks freshly pressed, and he’s carrying a tray

two coffees on it.

says, handing it

surprised he remembered Ethan’s name. He’s always been good at that, making

what makes him a good Alpha.

who work for him, and

and he slips past me into the restaurant. I lock the door behind

I don’t

his sunglasses into his pocket, looking around at the desolate

I can reply, and he picks it

turns slightly away, and I give him his privacy. I can still hear his end of the conversation,

pretend like I’m not

another job right

I still don’t have the time. I’ll

checked, I’m your boss. If I want your advice, I’ll ask for

My eyebrows shoot up.

bye.” He hangs up, turning to

I already know the answer. Her smug smile during

flashes across my mind. The memory

something else

his head.

Alpha, not a cook or a waiter or

It’s not exactly fun work, and

“I think you need to get your

the span of a few hours probably isn’t a good idea, but

I need

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