On a 7-9, she strings you along

"Ha ha, Joe," Mona says. "I never knew you cared." She nods her head, making her ponytail dance and the front of her tank top jiggle. "Busy shift. Sure, wanna take me somewhere after maybe? But if you hang out here, I'm gonna put you to work."

You savor your fish tacos and Coke, enjoying the view of Mona in action as she serves the other customers. Mona commiserates with you over Sharon. "Jeeze Joe, that's kinda cold of her." When she buzzes back over, she adds. "And Cindy told you what? Ha ha. Did she offer her, um, canoe for lessons?" On her next pass, Mona says, "Hell, maybe I woulda done the same as Sharon." But she's smiling at you.

Mona puts you to work with a broom, sweeping up fallen tortilla chips, rice, and lettuce shreds, and sweeping the sand back off the patio into the volleyball pit. The table full of young women is laughing and joking. Some of them are feeding each other chips and salsa, resulting in drips into their exposed cleavage. Giggles and clumsy napkin blotting follow.

When you're done with your first round sweeping up, Mona has you fill up table caddies with napkins, salt, pepper, and sugar. You chat with her about her work and about her plans for the summer.

"Do they give you a break during your shift?" you ask. "I mean, maybe you have a canoe you wanted to show me?"

Mona laughs. "More canoes than paddles here today I guess."

El Gringo Loco's customers are a little heavier on the babe than the dude side today.

"Or if you don't get a break, you could just give me a peek in the boathouse." you say.

Mona looks a little pink in her cheeks and ears.