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“And who doesn’t like snacks?”
“Right? You get me, Kincaid.”
I just smile and shake my head. Alyssa has always been a candy junkie. In fact, I keep a drawer full of the stuff for her at my place for when she’s there. “That I do,” I say as I pull into the parking lot of Dorothy’s Diner.
Climbing out of the truck, we head inside. I follow Alyssa to a booth in the back corner. “Why did we eat dinner so early last night? I’m starving,” she comments as she picks up a menu from the table and begins to look at her options.
I do the same, but I’m not sure why we even bother with the menu. We’ve eaten here enough over the years. We should have it memorized by now. “Because we both skipped breakfast yesterday and had an early lunch.”
“This being off-work business has my system all out of whack.”
“Are you saying you’d rather be at work?”
“Whoa, now. Let’s not start talking nonsense. I can’t tell you how excited I am to get away for a few days. When I get back, I’m definitely moving looking for a new job to the top of my priority list.”
“Good. You deserve better.”
“Honestly, I don’t know how she’s kept her job this long.”
“It’s because you and the rest of the staff put up with her shit. I’ve been telling you for years to speak up.”
“I don’t like confrontation. You know that.”
“I know you don’t, but sometimes it can’t be helped.”
“Well, I’m just going to start searching instead of just waiting for something to fall into my lap. I’d like to stay in the same field, or at least the same type of work.”
“Maybe mention it to the girls this weekend, and they can all be on the lookout as well.”
“I don’t want to bother them with my career woes.”
“They’re your friends, Tink.”
Her eyes soften. “They’re my friends because they’re your family.”
“Bullshit. That might be how you connected with them, but remove me from the equation, and they’re still your friends.”
“Fine,” she grumbles. “I’ll mention it.”
“Thank you.”
She sticks her tongue out at me. “You’re welcome. I have to use the restroom. If our waitress comes, will you order for me?”
“I think I remember everything you rattled off earlier,” I tease. We both know that I can order for her with ease.
“All the things, Kincaid. I want all the things. Oh, and an orange juice.” She gives me a wide smile as she slides out of the booth and heads toward the restroom.
“What can I get you, darlin’?” Dorothy asks as she approaches our booth.
“Are you short-staffed today, Miss Dorothy?” I ask. It’s unusual for her to take orders.
“Nah, I still like to work the floor from time to time. Are we waiting on that girl of yours to come back?”
I don’t bother correcting her. Dorothy is just another member of this town who’s convinced that a man and a woman can’t be best friends, even though Alyssa and I are living proof that it can be done.
“Nope. I’ll have a stack of pancakes with a side of bacon, extra crispy, and two eggs over easy. Alyssa will have two eggs over easy, toast, hashbrowns, bacon, chewy, and one pancake. Oh, and a glass of orange juice for both of us.”
“Coming right up.” She shoves her pen back behind her ear into her hair, which is in some kind of updo with a net covering it, and limps back to the kitchen to put our order in.
