“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a job to do,” I say, taking the tray Maritza slides to me. “And you have a date. I’ll be over shortly to take your order.”

I leave Asher in the dust and walk back to my table of ten. I give them their drinks and excuse myself before I walk over to the other table I was sat. Once I get their order, I turn to Asher and his date.

“Are you ready to order?”

“Yes, we are,” she says and I can’t ignore the smirk that lingers on her lips.

I wonder what her name is and what she does for work and what it is about her—other than her striking beauty—that Asher likes.

“Would you recommend the duck or the filet?”

“The duck is excellent,” I tell her.

“I’ll have that,” she says, closing the menu.

“And for you, sir?”

“I’ll have the filet. Medium-well.”

“And instead of the mushroom risotto?” I already know he won’t want that.

“Does the macaroni and cheese have—”

“No, it doesn’t have fontina,” I say. “It’s a cheddar-gruyere blend. From New Zealand.”

His eyes don’t move from mine. “I’ll have the roasted root vegetables.”

“Of course. Is there—”

“You’re Olivia.”

I look at his date, my brow lifting at her suggestion that I’m a special breed of Olivia. “Yes?”

“Vivian.” Asher’s tone is warning.

“You’re Olivia,” she says again, smiling at me. “What a small world.”

I don’t know what she means, but Asher eyes his fork like he’s ready to maim himself.

Please, let me do the honors.

“It’s great to finally put a face to the name.”

Why does she know who I am? What did he tell her about me? How I can never get his coffee right? That I’m the most annoying human to exist? That I write in purple ink? I bet they laugh at me.

“She’s oblivious.”

“It’s like talking to a wall.”

“She’s a complete and utter idiot.”

Why is she wearing a wedding ring?

What’s that saying?

Like father, like son.

“Is there anything else I can get you?”

“No,” Asher says. “That’ll be all.”

I nod curtly and power-walk to the kitchen to get their order in. The faster they get their food, the faster they leave, and the faster I can get some semblance of peace.

“Are you okay?” Celeste asks as I fumble with the touch screen.

“Yeah,” I lie. “I’m just ready for this night to be over.”

“I’m ready for this year to be over.”