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“What?” He spun around and eyed her.
That was her cue to leave. If he wanted to argue his brother down about selling burnt meat then that would be between them.
“All it would need was extra sauce,” he said.
“Talk to Donnie about it.” She blew him a kiss and headed inside.
Her uncle just didn’t want to admit he had burned that chicken. Kizzie went into the break room that was in the back of the building. The room was empty. The only sound was the television mounted on the wall.
Kizzie beelined over to her locker. She put her purse up and took out her clean apron and put it on. It was Friday, and the lunch rush was always crazy, which would be perfect.
It would keep her from thinking too much about Niko coming to town. She hadn’t spoken to him in a couple of days. She didn’t have any worries that he wasn’t going to come. If he had changed his mind or something had come up, he would have called her. Niko was always a man to keep his word.
The butterflies in her stomach fluttered.
It would be good to see her friend again. It had been way too long since she had felt his arms wrap around her in a hug. She missed being able to breathe in his scent in those few seconds she was in his embrace.
She closed her locker and left the break room. Walking into the kitchen, she was accosted by the aromas of the different foods being cooked. Her father and Uncle Donnie were hard at work.
“Hey, Daddy.” She moved over to him and stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek.
Charles McCall, Sr., was a man who lit up the room with his smile. If anyone were to describe the perfect father, a picture of him would be included. This man loved her and her brother unconditionally. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for his children.
Charles had always been a part of her life. He and her mother had flown out to California just to visit her when she was in college because they’d missed her. They’d stocked up her apartment with food and ensured she had money in her bank account. They would go out and explore San Francisco together. Charles hadn’t wanted his little girl wanting for anything while she’d been away from him. When she and her brother, Junior, were growing up, their father had been there for every recital, sporting event, and parent meeting. He didn’t miss any part of their childhood.
“It’s about time you rocked up, pumpkin. I thought you were going be a no-show.” Charles grinned.
“And miss seeing your handsome face?” She laughed.
Her father wrapped her up in his arms and squeezed her tight. She returned the embrace. Kizzie was never too old to receive a hug from her father.
“Oh, please. This old ugly mug?” He released her and turned back to the counter where he was preparing his famous macaroni and cheese. He was a stickler when it came to his cheese blend and believed that it should only be manually shredded and mixed himself.
“Me and Mykeisha met for breakfast,” she said. She leaned against the steel counter and folded her arms in front of her while she watched her father work. She had learned this recipe at his hip in the kitchen of the home she’d grown up in. By the time Kizzie was fifteen, she’d known her way around the kitchen.
“How’s that niece of mine?” he asked.
“And why hasn’t she been by here this week?” Donnie asked from his place in front of the industrial stove. He was stirring a pot that looked suspiciously like baked beans. Their family believed in making everything fresh, and baked beans was one thing the McCall brothers did not purchase in a can.
“She’s doing well and has been very busy over at her bar,” Kizzie replied smoothly.
The McCall brothers had never understood Mykeisha’s need to run her own business. According to them, all of the McCall children should have some part of the McCall Barbecue empire. Even Donnie’s children helped out when they could.
“Do you need help back here?” Kizzie glanced around and tried to figure out where she could start. It looked as if they had everything under control.
“For now we should be good,” her father said. He glanced over at Donnie. “You need Kizzie for anything?”
“Not at the moment. I’ll let you know,” Donnie replied.
“I’ll go out front and see if they need help. I’m sure the rush will be starting anytime soon.” She gave a wave and headed to the front of the restaurant. If it wasn’t busy, then she would go into the office and work on the books. Kizzie was utilizing her fancy degree she had earned at Stanford University. She was excited to help her family out this way. She had reviewed the finances of the business, and they were in talks of possibly opening a second location.
Their family employed a lot of young people who were down on their luck, needing a second chance in life. It was their way of contributing to the community. She waved to a few of the employees as she walked toward the counter. She arrived in the doorway that led to the front and paused.
It would appear she was right.
There was already a line forming, and it was almost to the door.
Patrons were already sitting at a few tables, and within an hour, Kizzie was sure the place would be packed.
