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Chapter 15
Luna
“Are you ready?”
Connor looked at Luna expectantly as she nervously fidgeted with the ring of keys in her hand.
The truth was, she didn’t know if she was ready. This was going to be her very first time opening up the diner on her own. It was only staffed by her, and by Connor. She hadn’t worked there in over a decade, and it was almost as long since he had too.
It wasn’t the best recipe—pun intended—for a great opening morning.
Not only that, but she imagined it was going to be busy. Not only with people who genuinely wanted to come in and eat, but also well-wishers, and people who wanted to satisfy their curiosity just as much—or more—as their appetite.
Normally, she wouldn’t have stressed this much about a day at “work” that she didn’t feel quite so prepared for.
This was different, though. This was her grandparents’ reputation on the line. Their legacy, for God’s sake!
She had to do well. She had to do them proud. Nothing less was good enough.
She swallowed hard.
Well, opening late would be a terrible start, that was for sure. And she had to face this at some point, so…no time like the present, she figured.
She palmed the keys she’d been nervously playing with and smiled up at Connor. “Yep. Let’s do this!”
He gave her an encouraging shoulder squeeze—which had the unintentional side effect of sending sparks she couldn’t deal with at the moment zooming through her lady parts—and walked out through the swinging doors that separated the kitchen from the main dining room.
What she saw stopped her in her tracks.
There were people lined up out on the sidewalk. Not just a few. Dozens!
She just stood there for a few long moments, then looked up at Connor. “Do you know anything about this?”
He shrugged, beaming a smile down at her. “I know these people are cold and hungry. What do you say we let them in and solve both of their problems?”
She grinned. “Sounds like a plan.”
Luna had to work to control her tears as the crowd filed in. Almost every single person was someone she knew. That was Valentine Bay. That was how it was. Everybody knew everybody, and when someone needed support, they showed up.
That used to make her feel claustrophobic. Having so many eyes on her felt constrictive, like a straitjacket. She wanted nothing more than to be anonymous.
Not anymore, though. Now, the attention of so many concerned neighbors made her feel like she was being enveloped in a comforting hug, and she craved that support and warmth.
As she hurried from booth to booth, she was glad—both for Connor’s sake and for her own—that people were keeping the orders pretty simple. Basic diner fare stuff…pancakes, eggs, bacon. And then once it got on toward lunch time, burgers and fries.
When both the breakfast and lunch rush had died down and only a few booths were filled, Gen came through the door, blowing in like a breath of fresh air.
Luna showed her to a booth and then collapsed onto the seat across from her. “Oh my God, I know this isn’t professional, but I don’t care, I’m doing it anyway. I’ve been on my feet since 6 a.m. and I need a break.”
“Cool. Cool cool cool,” Gen replied. “So I guess that means no coffee for me, or….?”
Luna’s eyes widened as she popped back up. “Oh, God! Sorry! I just assumed you were coming in here to talk to me, I didn’t even think you might be coming in here to eat. Sorry!”
Gen burst out laughing. “Oh my God, sit down, I’m just messing with you!”
Luna shook her head and scowled a little as she returned to the booth bench. “You’re cruel. Not to mention unusual. You know that, right?”
Gen grinned. “I’ve been told. And honestly, it doesn’t bother me. So how’s your first day been going?”
