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A few minutes later, he pulled into the parking lot of Alex's Diner and I got out, snatching up my wallet, my keys to the house, and my phone. "Thanks for driving me," Isaid.
"If I can't come back to get you, one of the guys will," hereplied.
I nodded and waved as I backed towards the front door, turning as it opened. I held it for an elderly couple leaving and waved them goodbye as well before striding into the smell of kitchen grease and sugary sweettea.
Justice sashayed by with an empty tray at her side as I headed towards the back of the counter and as soon as she saw me she paused and scowled. "You work here now?" she snapped the question at me like anaccusation.
"Actually I've worked here for a few years now," I said. "I've just been taking some time off for a new job. I only come in if Alex needs an extrahand."
"Hmmmm." She looked me up and down, pursing her lips. A part of me didn't like her because of how we'd been introduced before—and the small snide comments she'd made about me and Grayson. Another part of mehatedher for the dream that I had about her way back when. I knew that wasn't her fault. Maybe we could be friends, or at the very least civil to each other. I had the guys, so I knew I had nothing to worry about. They wouldn't leave me. Theypromised.
"Well," she said, moving past me as her hip banged into mine. "Just don't get in my way and we'll be justfine."
Or not...on the civil part,I thought. I rolled my eyes and then found an extra apron and some spare pens and a pad under the counter. Tying the apron around my waist and sticking my stuff into the deep pockets I headed towards the newest table of customers and fell right towork.
It took me no time at all to find Alex in the kitchen working alongside Carl, who raised a hand my way in greeting when he sawme.
"'Sup," Carlcalled.
"Hey, Carl. Good to see you. Did you lose some weight?" My eyes widened when he stepped out from behind the stove to give me a one-armed hug. He looked like he'd dropped at least fortypounds.
"Yeah," he said with a blush as his eyes slid to Justice refilling the teapitchers.
I sighed. "Well, you look amazing," Isaid.
"Thanks,Harlow."
"Thanks for coming in," Alex said as he slid a few plates onto a tray and handed them to another waitress comingthrough.
"Of course," I replied. "It's noproblem."
"Things with Grayson's mom goingalright?"
I stiffened up—especially when Justice's ears seemed to perk up and she half turned to observe us. "What's up with Grayson's mom?" she asked. "Is she sick? Is that why he's not been inlately?"
I wanted to stomp her and tell her it was none of her fucking business. That's what Iwantedto do. But, of course, that's not what Idid.
"No," I said. "He's just having some family troubles. No need to worry aboutit."
The look she shot me was pure irritation.That makes two of us, bitch,Ithought.
"Well, let me know if you need any help," Alex saidmeaningfully.
I lifted my eyes and blinked at him in surprise. "With Grayson's mom?" Iclarified.
He nodded. "Yeah, Grayson and I have talked about it and if your team doesn't have it handled, you know Iris can do something to help out." Justice, having lost interest in the conversation, retrieved a tray of food—Carl's gaze following her out as she left. "We work with lawyers and law enforcement, Harlow. You and your team don't have to go thisalone."
I always thought that we did. I mean, it wasn't Iris' intent to take care of someone like Teddi threatening us, following us—stalking me. Grayson wasn't even technically in Iris. "Thanks," I said a little belatedly, after realizing that I'd been standing there for several moments just staring at him. "That means alot."
Alex nodded. "Grayson's a good man. I'm sure everything'll workout."
"Yeah..."
I grabbed a tray and filled up on drinks, heading out, feeling a little lighter. Maybe things really would work out sooner than we expected. If Iris was willing to step in, then if our plan to make Teddi back off and have Grayson talk to his dad failed, we'd still be okay. The relief flowing through my veins kept me perky and happy for the rest of the night even when I spilled tea down my uniform and had to handle a few rowdy tables. Things were finally lookingup.
