Page 9 of Monster Diner

It was true though. There were few reliable jobs in Pumpkin Hollow. That was the downside to small-town living. It was worse for those who couldn’t live stealthily in the mundane world, like him. But he didn’t need to tell her that.

“Look, it’s not that I blame you. Neither of us chose this situation we’re in. Frank always did what he wanted…” She sighed.

Frank could be stubborn, but surely, he wouldn’t have thrust a diner on his daughter if he’d known she clearly didn’t want it. He didn’t do things without a reason either. If Frank chose them both to own the diner, Victor wanted to honor his wishes.

“Could you buy me out of my half? I’ll sell it for less than it’s worth. I just need the money, don’t ask why.” She was gripping the manila envelope tight enough to crinkle it as she looked at him with a pleading look.

More than anything, he wanted to give her what she wanted.

“How much do you need?” Victor asked, knowing full well his bank account was dangerously close to empty.

“If I throw out a number, would you have it?”

He shook his head. “Honestly, no. Everything I have goes back into Frank’s.”

“Then, we have no choice but to sell the place,” she said, setting the will back on the desk between them and crossing her arms over her chest, thrusting up her breasts. This really was torture. She shouldn’t be this gorgeous while delivering the worst news of his life.

The diner was his life. He couldn’t give it up. He thought she’d want this too.

“Give me until Halloween.”

She blinked at him. “Pardon?”

“I’ll find a way to buy you out of the property, whether it’s through a loan or the diner’s profits. I’ll meet whatever demands you have if you’ll let me try to save the diner.”

“Are you sure? The restaurant isn’t exactly bursting with customers.”

“Just wait. It’s almost the busy season. Lots of people roll into town for Halloween,” he said with a confidence he didn’t feel.

She stared back at him as if she could see through his ludicrous claims, one perfect brow arched.

“Trust me.” He thrust out his hand for her to shake. She stared at it for a moment, and hesitantly, she grasped his hand. That first brush of their fingers felt like a bolt of lightning up his arm. He jerked away, terrified by the fizzle of attraction he was feeling for this gorgeous and infuriating woman. She represented everything he wanted to protect the diner and himself from.

“Until Halloween. And I’m staying at Frank’s place until then,” she declared.

“Is now a bad time to mention⁠—”

He was cut off from telling her by Vivianne popping her head in.

“Sorry to interrupt, but we’ve got a crowd.”

He could hear the buzz of conversation. It sounded as if every table was full, which rarely happened. This wasn’t their usual dinner rush.

“Excuse me,” Victor said and followed Vivianne out into the dining room. Every single booth was full, and the POS printer was churning with orders. Clyde was panicking behind the flat top.

“Where did this rush come from?” Victor asked.

“I posted about a free shake deal on our social media accounts. I wanted to prove a point.” Vivianne tossed her hair over her shoulders.

“Who’s paying for all these free shakes?” Victor asked her.

“Isn’t that for you to figure out?” She winked and went over to tend to the couple who’d sat at the bar.

Victor sighed and went into the kitchen. He’d find a way to save the diner, one way or another.

5

LIZZY