Free Siren by Tricia Rayburn Page B

to know how to talk to Oliver."
    I could tell Zara struggled with which bothered her more--that there was a customer she couldn't win over, or that there was something Paige knew how to do better than her.
    Zara frowned. "I'll try one more time. If he doesn't bite, I'm over it. For good."
    Paige spread the napkin she'd been folding across the counter, rested her elbows on it, and grinned. "Ready for a break?"
    I leaned against the counter next to her. "Who's Oliver?"
    "Zara's archnemesis." She turned to me. "Sorry. I sounded pretty happy about that, didn't I?"
    "Overjoyed, actually."
    "I can't help it," she said, watching Zara zigzag through the room toward an older man with hair whiter and frizzier than
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    Big Poppa's. She checked her watch. "Twelve oh two. Right on time."
    Zara stopped a few feet away from the table. She tightened her ponytail and adjusted her apron. Her shoulders lifted and dropped as she took a deep breath.
    "Oliver is the one customer she can't get," Paige said. "He comes in at the same time every day and always sits in her section. She's done everything--offered complimentary meals, discounts, a bigger table even though space is money and he's always by himself. Seriously, she's given it everything she has."
    "Why doesn't he sit in someone else's section?"
    She shook her head. "Don't know. We've offered, and he refuses. But the best part is his reaction. Look at what he does when she tries talking to him--it's classic."
    We were too far away, and it was too noisy to hear--but there was no mistaking his reaction, which was to completely ignore her. She spoke, then waited. Spoke again, and waited again. On the third attempt she seemed to point out breakfast suggestions on the menu lying on the table, and when that didn't inspire conversation, she scowled at Paige over her shoulder.
    "It's like she's not even there." Paige sighed happily.
    It was true. Not only did Oliver not say anything, he also stared out the window like Zara was one of the tall potted plants displayed throughout the dining room.
    I grabbed another napkin and resumed folding as Zara stormed toward us.
    "Uh-oh," Paige said.
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    Zara had stopped in the middle of the room. She leaned down and listened to one of her customers, whose frown and full plate of food indicated a problem.
    "This isn't going to be good--she's already fired up." Paige turned toward me. "Congratulations, Vanessa! You're being promoted."
    My hands froze mid-fold. I didn't want to be promoted. I didn't even really want to work there. I just wanted not to be me for a few hours.
    "I need you to take Oliver's order. He'll want two slices of whole-wheat toast with grape jelly, a boiled egg, half a grapefruit, and a cup of Earl Grey. Super easy. Just smile and let him tell you himself."
    "Louis!" Zara shouted. "Did you wake up this morning, smile at yourself in the mirror, and think how glad you were to work at IHOP?"
    "Paige," I said as she walked backward toward the kitchen door that still swung back and forth from Zara shooting through. "I don't think--"
    "Gotta go!" she called behind her as the shouting escalated in the kitchen.
    My eyes stayed on the swinging door until it slowed to a stop. Knowing I had no choice, mostly because I liked Paige and didn't want to disappoint her, I turned and headed across the room; before long I stood where Zara had moments ago, clutching a notepad and pen.
    "Oliver?" I said this so quietly he probably wouldn't have
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    heard me had I leaned down and spoken two inches from his ear. And even that was doubtful, since I could see a small brown hearing aid peeking out from a patch of white fuzz.
    It took about ten seconds for his eyes to find me. They landed first on the mermaid logo swimming along my apron and lingered there, expressionless, before traveling slowly up.
    He didn't look happy, but at least he was acknowledging me. Bolstered by the progress, I smiled wider.
    "Hi," I tried again, proud when I could actually hear