Page 31 of Summer Affair

“I know, right?” Heather added. “I thought she’d have moved on to something more…fitting by now.”

Dean’s jaw tightened. He hated seeing Andrea treated this way, especially by people who should have been supporting her.

As he served another table’s food, he couldn’t help but overhear Amy’s husband, Brad, speaking in a harsh tone to her after she complained that several prominent guests had cancelled that evening and that the charity would be short on funds because of their absence.

“Amy, just throw some money at it like you always do and stop bothering me about every little detail,” Brad had snapped back, his eyes already roaming the room in search of something—or someone—more interesting.

Amy’s face had fallen for a split second, but she quickly masked it with a forced smile. “Of course, darling. I’ll handle it.”

Dean’s eyes narrowed as he watched Brad walk away and start to openly flirt with several of the staff members and guests, his hands lingering too long on their arms, his smiles too suggestive. It made Dean’s skin crawl, and he silently vowed to keep an eye on the man.

That night’s guests had Dean and the rest of the waitstaff running ragged. The charity event was supposed to be a night of elegance, but it had turned into a nightmare of endless demands and impossible-to-please patrons. It seemed every other dish was sent back to the kitchen for the most minor infractions, and even Isaac, the usually unflappable head chef, was losing his cool.

Dean could feel the tension radiating off the kitchen staff as another dish came back. “No onions,” the server muttered, setting the plate down with a grimace. Isaac, who had been hovering near the pass, let out a string of curses under his breath, his face growing redder by the second.

“This is ridiculous,” Isaac growled, slamming a ladle onto the counter. “You’d think they were paying for gold on their plates, the way they’re acting!”

Dean nodded in agreement, wiping his brow. The dining room was packed with rich, entitled guests who seemed more interested in finding fault than enjoying their meal. He took a deep breath to steady himself before heading back out to the chaos.

As he stepped into the dining room, he was met with a flurry of complaints, each more trivial than the last. A woman in a sparkling gown beckoned him over, her nose wrinkled in distaste as she pointed at her plate. “This salmon is too dry. I asked for it to be perfectly cooked.”

Dean forced a polite smile, apologizing as he took the plate back to the kitchen. Just as he turned, another guest snapped their fingers at him, demanding more wine, and another pointed out a smudge on their silverware.

It was a whirlwind of demands, but Dean kept his cool, responding to each with the same level of professionalism. But internally, he couldn’t wait for the night to be over.

Later in the evening, as he was passing by Amy and her friends again, suddenly Amy’s attention turned on him.

“Dean, isn’t it?” Amy’s voice was suddenly syrupy, her eyes glinting with a different kind of interest. “I must say, you clean up nicely. Then again, you were always one of the best-looking guys in our class.”

Dean forced a polite smile. “Is there anything I can get for you?”

Amy leaned in slightly, and her ample breasts pushed against his arm. Her perfume was overwhelming. “Just some company, perhaps. It must be lonely working these events all the time.”

Dean straightened, keeping his tone professional. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m seeing someone.”

Amy pouted and tried to redirect him. Only after he declined her advances a few times did she finally grow bored and give up, much to his relief.

He glanced over and saw Andrea watching the entire exchange, a mix of frustration and sadness in her eyes. He wanted to comfort her, to tell her that she deserved so much better than the way her sister and these people treated her. But then he was snapped at by another guest and had to run and get more butter.

The guests seemed to settle some after dinner, his anger simmered down. But he couldn’t stand seeing Andrea running back and forth, fetching drinks and catering to her sister’s whims. Finally, during a lull, he approached her.

“You okay?” he asked softly, handing her a glass of water.

Andrea took it gratefully, her fingers brushing his. “Yeah, just…tired. Thanks.”

“Don’t let them get to you,” he said, his voice firm. “You’re worth so much more than this.”

Andrea smiled, a real smile this time. “Thanks.”

She took a sip of the water and looked around the room, her gaze settling on Amy and her friends, who were now laughing loudly at something Brad had said.

Dean leaned in a bit closer, lowering his voice. “You know, if you need to sneak away, we could always go for a walk on the beach.”

Andrea’s eyes softened. “That sounds nice. I might take you up on that after, when people start to leave. But for right now…” She motioned around. “I’m needed here.”

“Gotcha,” Dean replied, smiling.

Just then, Amy’s shrill voice cut through the air. “Andrea! Where’s my drink?”