I don't usually sleep in on Sundays, but I always wait in my room until everyone else is awake-it's a family breakfast tradition.
"This morning, I'll clean the car," I said during breakfast.
"Alright, but don't forget we have a lunch reservation, and we can't be late," Amber reminded me.
"Oh, right."
"Do we have to go every month?" Mom asked reluctantly.
"Sweetheart, you know I'm not a fan of superficial conversations either, but I can't refuse the invitation. Sometimes we have to eat there," Dad said.
We weren't yacht club members-it was too expensive, and my parents weren't snobs-but we had a lunch invitation one weekend each month. Dad received it for his work, and it was important for him to go occasionally for networking, even if not every month.
I quickly cleaned my car; I liked keeping it tidy. It wasn't new or expensive, but it was mine, and I was proud of it.
For lunch, everyone dressed nicely, and we drove to the seaside end of the city. The yacht club was a converted large ship, with the restaurant on the lower level. It was modern, but they had done everything to make the decor reminiscent of an old ship-wood-effect paint, nautical paintings, wood-effect tables with velvet chairs. It was old-fashioned but elegant, perhaps that's why not everyone in town could be a member. The food was always delicious, and the waitresses were always pretty.
"Mr. Simmons, your reserved table is ready. Please follow me," the head waiter signaled at the entrance and led us to the table.
We hadn't been there in the summer, and they had nicely renovated and repainted the place.
"Your order will be taken shortly," the head waiter said before leaving.
Dad shook hands with a few people at the other tables, and we sat down. I waved to a few school acquaintances when my jaw dropped.
Jane had just arrived next to me and started speaking mechanically.
"Welcome to the yacht club restaurant," she said, placing the menu in front of us. "While you choose, I'd be happy to bring you something to drink."
"Hello, Jane," Amber greeted her warmly.
I saw the surprise on her face, but her smile remained unchanged. Nothing was reflected on her expression.
"Mr., Mrs. Simmons, I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention," she babbled, embarrassed.
"No problem," Dad said reassuringly. "Please bring me a glass of red wine."
"I'll have orange juice," Mom and Amber said almost simultaneously.
"I'll have the same," I added.
"Alright, thank you," she said with a smile and left the table.
"Did you know?" I looked at Amber questioningly.
"Yes, she works here every Sunday. Didn't you know?"
"No, she only talks to me about things she can show off about."
My parents looked puzzled by my comment but didn't ask further.
"Interesting girl," Mom said.
Now that she was far from me, I had the chance to look her over comfortably. I had never seen her in a short skirt-or any skirt at all.
Her short dress was slightly low-cut and showed off her figure. Well, I was shocked. Feminine curves, a slim waist, and long, shapely legs. I could imagine those amazing legs wrapped around me.
"That poor girl will catch a cold like that," Dad's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Have you decided?" Jane suddenly appeared next to me.
"Yes, I'll have the crab, and my wife will have the fish," Dad said. "Amber, John?"
"I'll have the chicken. Bro?" Amber said, but I had to improvise because I hadn't had time to look at the menu.
"The same as my dad," I replied shortly.
"And soup from the daily special for everyone," Dad added.
"Alright, thank you," Jane hurried off.
Amber started talking about her latest plans and some photoshoot, but I wasn't really paying attention. I was watching the guests and how many were staring at my classmate. Almost every guy, regardless of age, ogled her, and she was kind to everyone, smiling unwaveringly.
I felt like going over and throwing a blanket over her.
A waiter approached her, and after a few words, Jane accompanied him to another table, where she started talking to one of the lady guests, then to the waiter. It seemed like she was translating between the waiter and the lady, but I didn't know what language.
So she wasn't bluffing-she really could make herself understood.
When my thoughts returned to my family, I saw that Dad was alternately watching me and Jane.
"I'm your son, not one of your patients," I remarked, and Dad gently tapped my head.
"Then you know why you got that," he said calmly.
"I've been getting a lot of these lately," I said quietly.
"You've been deserving them a lot lately," he replied just as calmly.
"Good thing Jane didn't see that," Amber grinned.
"I don't particularly care what she saw," I replied to my sister.
"You're right," Amber said. "Jane doesn't care about you at all."
"In return, you could take your eyes off her," Mom said, smiling.
"I was eyeing that brunette at the next table," I nodded toward a slim girl nearby to cover myself.
"Good," Dad said. "That girl is far beyond your league"
I wanted to respond, but Jane brought the soups, and I deliberately didn't look at her so my parents wouldn't get any ideas.
"Sorry, but I have to make two trips-I'm quite clumsy," she said as she placed two bowls of soup in front of my parents.
"No problem, we'll wait," Mom just smiled.
She returned with our soups, and a few minutes later, we started eating. Jane went back to the foreign lady, then to another table where a business lunch seemed to be taking place based on the suits.
I focused on my soup, trying not to look around.
