Kitchen Staff

Anita had Miles work the bar the next day while she worked the floor, with her or Oliver monitoring his work. So far, all the servers seemed a little out of it. But Anita and Oliver were both excellent teachers, despite what Cyrus had said about Oliver. At least he wasn't scaring patrons every time by looking at their hands. How the restaurant managed to stay in business with the floor chief getting personal with customers was beyond him.

Miles finished taking a customer’s order. The girl chef from the kitchen staff waited at the window for the order.

"I don't think I introduced myself yesterday. I'm Sierra Taft," the girl greeted him while taking the order slip.

"Miles Sonata."

"I know everyone is talking about how you were a quick learner yesterday. I'm sure you'll be working on the floor in no time."

Sierra began working on the order. Miles turned to look at the bar to see only one customer; everyone else was occupying booths. He returned to the opening to find Sierra still there, humming to herself while working on an order.

"That's a nice song," he complimented. Sierra looked up and smiled.

"Thanks, I don't remember where it's from, but it gets stuck in my head."

"Oh, how does it go again?"

Sierra hummed a few bars; Miles listening and bobbing his head to the rhythm.

"I can't recall ever hearing that song before, but I will let you know if I do."

"Thanks."

Sierra passed him the plate of food. Miles took it over to the patron. He looked out over the floor as he left, noticing Ramona glancing up at him before looking away.

"Those were some impressive catches," commented Sierra when Miles walked back to the window.

"What do you mean?"

Sierra tried to peer out the window, looking in Ramona's general direction.

"It was just luck."

"I'm sure it was: tell me that on the third fall."

Miles chuckled. Ramona was on the floor, and he was behind the bar. Unless yesterday repeated itself, he doubted he would be able to catch her again.

"Everything going fine, Miles?" asked Anita as she came up to the bar and passed an order over the window.

"Yes, I met Sierra." Miles gestured to the petite girl.

"Oh, I'm glad, what about Shasta?"

Miles looked at Anita, confused, then looked in the kitchen to see another chef inside.

"Shasta, come introduce yourself," demanded Anita, if you could call her tone of voice demanding.

"I'm working," he argued back.

"I'll switch with you for a bit," offered Sierra, moving right next to the chef. He looked down at her, and Sierra looked up at him with teasing eyes. He turned to look at Miles, not leaving the wok.

"Shasta Rainier, head chef."

He turned back around before Miles could respond.

"Shasta, that's not very polite."

"I will introduce myself when I have time later," he huffed. Anita pouted but left as a patron at her table requested her.

"Wow, never thought you would refuse a request from our floor chief," teased Sierra.

"I didn't refuse. I will do it when I’m not busy."

"You could have let me handle the food; wouldn't want to upset Anita."

Shasta stared down at Sierra, malice glowing in his eyes.

"Or you can do it later. Either way, she'll be happy," Sierra said, complicit, before dashing back to the front of the kitchen.

"And that's Shasta," introduced Sierra, "I'm trying to decide who’s grouchier between him or Cyrus. Who would you pick?"

"I don't know either of them well enough to decide," said Miles before the customer flagged him down.

"You're no fun."

At the customer’s request, Miles went over to the register and began ringing up the man's order. He glanced over the cash register as something flashed by; it was Ramona moving in his direction.

"Please don't fall." He thought to himself, only for Ramona to trip over her untied shoelaces. Again, Miles dove for her, catching her. They were both bright red.

"Sorry," she mumbled as he pulled her up.

"No worries," he mumbled back, the two teens standing there for a moment. She ran towards the kitchen and put in the orders. Miles passed by and handed the receipt to the customer.

Sierra smirked at her younger coworkers, then turned to Shasta, who had appeared at her side to watch the event. He returned her knowing smirk.