#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.

manager on the spot, a promotion he took

doesn’t have a ton of experience

everything. Especially after what happened with

to the task. He’s

most hardworking employees I’ve

it hasn’t slowed

seems to work around the pain. And now that he’ll be spending

the front desk, hopefully his shifts will be easier for him.

is.

new people,” he says.

by taking stock of the food and all future orders.

I’d broken out into a nervous sweat. If I don’t

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

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

be good

“I agree.”

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

good waiters and a decent bartender, then we’ll

“Exactly.”

knock at the front door, and Ethan gives me

it,” I say when I see

nods and sinks back into his chair. I cross

on. His business suit looks freshly pressed, and he’s carrying

two coffees on it.

and Ethan,” he says, handing it

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

what makes him a good Alpha. He remembers people

people who work

slips past me into the restaurant. I

you came,” I say, turning to face him. I don’t bother

looking around

and he picks it

him his privacy. I can still hear his end of the conversation, but

pretend like

job right now,” he says. There’s a muffled response on the

don’t have the time. I’ll call

muffled response. “Last I checked, I’m your boss. If I want your advice, I’ll

My eyebrows shoot up.

bye.” He hangs up, turning to face me

already know

did flashes across my mind. The memory of it makes me

there’s something else

head. “There’s nothing

you’re an Alpha, not a cook or a waiter or

dinner rush? It’s not exactly fun work,

to get your priorities straight,” I grumble, walking past

in the span of a few hours

I need

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