Page 14 of Bad Intentions

“Phew!” Givens whistles, winking at me when I come in. This guy is happy-go-lucky no matter the day or time. Ten years out of probation, two kids, the most hardworking man I know and the happiest one.

“Busy?” I ask, tossing my purse and parka into the office and going to the dishwasher to unload the dishes. Not my job, but physical work is more distracting than paperwork, and I sure do need a distraction from my obsessive thoughts about the stranger and his messages.

“As always. How are you, love? You’re early again. How’s Mrs. Boots?”

“Same old,” I say. “I mean same.”

He laughs that contagious low laughter, tosses the towel over his shoulder, and starts scrubbing the grill, whistling under his breath.

Sue runs in and dumps more dishes by the dishwasher. I look through the serving window and see only a few people at several booths, including Rika, the blue-haired bartender, who occupies a seat at the counter. That’s two days in a row.

“Want a little break?” I ask Sue. “I’ll go check on the customers.”

“God, I need a cigarette,” she exhales loudly.

“Go. I got this.”

Givens crinkles a brow at me over his shoulder. “Look who’s become an early bird lately.”

I smile to myself and go through the swinging doors to the counter area.

“Hey,” I say to Rika, getting a nod in response as she lazily flips through the newspaper. “Anything exciting?” I nod toward the paper.

“No,” she says without looking at me. “But there sure is enough crap going on in this small town.”

“That’s Burnville. Anything that flies under one’s radar in a city is on full display in a town like this.”

“Especially shitty relationships.”

“People here have a flair for screwed-up relationships.”

“It’s called boredom.” Rika pushes the newspaper away and taps her finger on the menu. “I’ll get the lox bagel.”

“No dippy eggs and scrapple for you?”

Rika gives me a warning glare, and her chest shakes like she just gagged.

I chuckle and put in the request at the order window, then wipe the counter and the laminated menus.

Something about Rika draws me in. She watches me, too, her chin propped on her palm. I’d say it’s boredom, but I also know I’m wrong. I don’t think this girl gets bored.

“You staying in town for a while?” I ask.

She shrugs. “We’ll see.”

Usually, it’s either a job at the hospital, relatives, or a love interest that brings people here. She obviously has nothing to do with the hospital. I haven’t heard her mention any relatives.

“So, are you seeing anyone?” I ask.

Rika raises her eyes at me, making me cringe at the question.

“Like dating? Or a therapist?” she asks.

A quick laugh escapes me. “Dating.”

“Here? God, no.” She rolls her eyes. “You?”

“God, no,” I repeat, even though I dated several local guys back in high school.