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My fingers curled around the cash in my hands until the bills crumpled. Guilt flared under my skin. I hadn’t been very open with anyone around here. It felt safer keeping my secrets to myself, even though Ellie was so open to being my friend. She hadn’t pushed me at all to share anything I didn’t want to. There wasn’t any way I could ask her for help. She was probably one of my first friends ever, and I wasn’t going to put that in jeopardy by telling her I was basically homeless and needed money.
It wouldn’t be right. I’d been through worse than this. I’d find a way to get by.
I opened my mouth to thank her when a sudden alertness hit me. The hairs on the back of my neck rose as a strong feeling of someone watching me pricked my mind. It was as if I felt their eyes boring into my back.
I tensed in my seat, skin crawling. Slowly, I glanced over my shoulder, heart hammering.
There was no one behind me. No one stared in my direction. The restaurant was almost empty as it was late and close to closing. I caught a glimpse of myself in the tall windows that had turned black in the night. My face had paled to a ghostly white, my eyes wide.
A sudden crash and shattering of glass startled me. I whipped my head back around. A guy had been busing one of the tables near Ellie and me, and a broken drinking glass laid in pieces on the floor. He stared at it, scrubbing the back of his neck with a grimace.
“Do you need any help?” I asked.
His gaze jumped up to mine. The briefest flash of familiarity hit me, but I couldn’t figure out why. The guy was new, hired only a few days ago, and I hadn’t met him before.
He shook his head. “Nah, I got this.” His dark eyes bounced to Ellie and away quickly, his cheeks turning the slightest shade of pink as he bent over to pick up the larger glass pieces.
I looked at Ellie. She was staring at the guy, too, a glint in her eye.
“Ellie?” I said low, my brows lifting suggestively.
She jumped at the sound of her name, blinking at me with wide eyes. “Hmm?”
“Who is that?”
She glanced at the guy again as he stood and passed us, probably to go pick up a broom. “Him?” she said, sounding innocent. “That’s Tony. He’s new. And a Yankee, just like you! He’s taking some summer classes at the college.”
A Yankee. I wondered whether that’s why he was familiar. I must’ve sensed the commonality in him.
“He’s cute.” I smirked. He was attractive. Not like Atlas, but he had a dark and edgy vibe going on.
Ellie slid her finger across her plump bottom lip. “Mm, yes, he is.”
“Maybe you should ask him out.”
She froze. “I don’t know…” Her hand shifted to the thick braid falling over her shoulder and she tugged on it as her eyes drifted off, glazing over. I cleared my throat after a few moments, and she shrugged. “Maybe I will.” Her eyes narrowed on me. “But anyways, we were talking about you before all that racket. How are you doing?”
I cursed internally, shifting my expression into something I hoped looked friendly and reassuring.
“I mean, I am tired.” I let out a short breath. “It’s been a little harder to adjust to this new place than I thought. It’s definitely, um, different down here. Not in a bad way or anything, but it’s been overwhelming, I guess.” I forced a smile. “I’m really okay, though. It’s good to know I can reach out to you if I need anything.”
Ellie smiled but seemed unsure. “I’m glad you’re here, Wren. And I know it’s hard to adjust to a new place.”
I nodded, focusing on counting the rest of my money. I wasn’t sure why, but I still felt guilty.
When I finished, I gave Ellie a quick goodbye and headed toward the back office. I sped past the entrance to the kitchen, where a narrow hallway led to the bathrooms and the back door to the rear docks. On the left side of the hallway, opposite the kitchen, was a small office. Hooks lined the empty wall where staff was permitted to hang coats and belongings. My bookbag was one of the few things hanging and I went to it, unzipping it and stuffing my tips deep inside. I’d made enough for my room tonight, at least. But the conversation with Ellie, and the strange sensation of being watched, had me feeling off. I wanted to go back to the motel and relax. Hopefully I’d get a good night’s sleep.
I zipped up my bag and was about to grab it off the hook when a second loud, shattering noise erupted through the restaurant, followed by a scream. My stomach dropped, and I didn’t think before I rushed toward the kitchen.
I halted at the doorway. The entire kitchen was drenched in darkness. I slapped a hand against the inside wall, probing until I found the light switch and flicked them on. Wanda was sprawled on her back, a heap of shattered plates surrounding her.
“Oh my gosh, Wanda!” I yelped, running to her and kneeling at her side, careful of the shards of plates. “Are you all right?”
Wanda looked up at me with wide, shocked eyes. “Lord above, I cannot believe I just did that!” Her hand trembled as she pressed a palm to her forehead.
“Careful,” I warned, helping her sit up. “Take it slow. Are you okay?”
Wanda glanced at all the broken plates like she had no idea how they’d gotten there. “Oh, I believe I am.” Her plump cheeks heated. “Look at this mess, though. Dear Lord.” She sounded stunned, and I patted her back.
