To that, Malcolm's eyes went soft and gooey, a look I liked more than any of his other ones. "Yeah?" he asked, pulling me closer.
"Oh, yeah. Big time," I added, offering him a teary smile.
"Kinda convenient then," he said, angling my chin up as he leaned down. "Because I love you back."
It was meant to be a sweet kiss. Something that acknowledged our mutual, and ever-growing, feelings for each other. But, well, when our lips touched, there was no telling how long or hard of demanding things could get.
It was Fallon clearing his throat that finally made us break apart. "I didn't think I'd have to say this, but there will be no fornicating in the diner," he said, but then a devilish smile broke out. "I mean, the office in the back, sure. I'm no killjoy. But I think the Board of Health might take issue with bare asses and bodily fluids on the counters," he added. "Anyway, you," he said, giving me a nod. "What is the best time to get all the employees together here?"
"Um... early afternoon? I will have gotten sleep. Zara and Dean will be making their way in to replace the daytime server and cook. You just have to make sure he," I said, jerking my head toward Don through the window, "comes too."
"Well, if he doesn't, he's out of a job," Fallon said, knowing Don was listening to every word going on between us as he pretended to clean the grill between orders. Don never cleaned the grill. "So, I will see everyone then. And then we can start getting this place in shape. I have a headache from how loud everything is in here," he declared, shaking his head on the way out.
"So?" Malcolm asked when Fallon was gone.
"I think I need to pinch myself," I said, yelping when Malcolm took me literally, reaching behind me to pinch my butt. "Hey," I said, slapping his chest in retribution. "I don't know," I admitted. "It feels so surreal. Why all of a sudden?" I asked.
"It's not. Fallon has been on the lookout for legitimate businesses that deal in a lot of cash for ages. And he's been thinking about the diner since you first showed up. We just lucked out that Luis is as scummy as he seems."
"It must have cost a fortune."
"I had the money. And it is split with Fallon."
I couldn't argue with him about the finances. I was beginning to understand that all the guys in the club made the kind of money I could only ever dream about. They weren't all millionaires or anything, but they were the definition of careful. And Malcolm had kept his living expenses low, which allowed him to save most of his income since he'd gotten patched in.
He had the money.
And it was a good investment for his future.
I mean Luis was driving around in an expensive car. Which meant the diner must have been bringing in good money. With a facelift to make the place more appealing, I imagined it would be easy to almost double whatever Luis was pulling in.
"It's a smart move," I told him. "Now you will have multiple streams of income."
"Exactly. But you meant we, didn't you?"
"Well," I said, trying to make my voice sound sad, disappointed. "I think that's another problem," I said, working hard to keep a straight face when Malcolm's usually so staid one looked panicked.
"What is?"
"I really don't know if I should be sleeping with the boss," I said, losing my battle with myself and breaking into a big smile.
The relief rushed across his features for a split second before the amusement took over.
"Well, luckily, you'll be a partner one day," he said, pulling me close, his hands sinking into my butt.
"They all say that," I shot back with an eye roll, getting a rare—and therefore magnificent—chuckle out of Malcolm. "Does Dezi know about the plan?" I asked. "I don't know if I can keep up with his demand on top of this," I said, waving toward the dessert case.
"Don't worry about him. Apparently, he put on fifteen pounds. And since he hasn't met his 'honey who will love his fat rolls' yet, Cary has him on a strict diet. No sugar, no alcohol, and shit fucking ton of kale."
"Well, that explains the text I got earlier asking if I was willing to meet him in a park after my shift to bring him some brownies," I said, smiling big. "Have I mentioned how much I love your people?" I asked. "Not as much as you, but still. A lot."
"Love that," he said, pulling me tighter. "But not as much as you," he said before sealing his lips to mine.
And, yeah, despite having a couple of parked tables, we did go ahead and break in the office in the back.