AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Julie cast her venomous glare on Percy.
“You’ll be getting a raise when I get back?” Kevin’s voice raised an octave, and he hurried over to press a kiss to Julie’s cheek. “Look, it’s hard to explain, but it’s kind of an urgent thing.” He licked his lips, genuinely afraid of Julie’s wrath.
Julie was a very patient woman, but anyone who was stupid enough to piss her off would certainly suffer. Short of his mother’s wrath, it was the worst he’d ever seen.
Well… his imaginary mother anyway.
Julie’s scowl remained firm. “Urgent, huh?” She eyed Percy again. “And who is this? Is he why you’re leaving?”
“This is Percy Pearl. He’s the guy who moved into the Munsters House. Percy, Julie. The heart of this place.” Kevin wrapped his arm around Julie’s shoulders and gave her a hug. “The brain, the head honcho, the one that makes the whole Pizza Cake world keep turning.” He tried his most charming smile, hoping that it would work to butter her up.
Julie’s expression relaxed, but she was still looking at Percy like he was a bug.
“A pleasure, ma’am.” Percy extended his hand to shake Julie’s and when she gave it to him, he placed a chaste kiss upon it. “It’s an honor to make your acquaintance. I do so love a commanding woman.”
“W-well… I…” Julie blushed, and she quickly withdrew, clearing her throat. She fixed Kevin with another firm stare as she said, “A raise and a week off to recover from what I already know is going to be an utter nightmare. Steve told James anime sucks earlier, and I think James might try to put him in the oven.”
“Iwillput him in the oven!” James shouted from the kitchen.
Kevin let out a sigh and facepalmed, unable to resist a quiet laugh at the image of James trying to stuff Steve into the oven. He smiled apologetically, saying, “A paid week off.”
“With a bonus,” Julie countered.
“He’ll fit!” James called out. “I already measured!”
“No one is going in the oven!” Julie shouted back at him. She groaned, mumbling under her breath, “Lord knows Steve is already baked as it is.”
Percy nudged Kevin, giving him a meaningful look.
Right.
“Julie, hey.” Kevin cleared his throat. “Before I go, I was gonna ask you. Do you remember when we first met? Or meeting any of my family?”
“What?” Julie blinked. “Seriously? It’s been almost ten years. You’d already taken over the restaurant from your Uncle Al by then. I think I only met him once if I ever met him at all—”
Percy stared at Kevin.
“—and I never knew your parents either. I don’t think I was even living here when they died. We met after you put up that help wanted sign in the window, and you hired me the same day you interviewed me. Best decision of your life, bud.”
Kevin ignored Percy’s pointed look, and he smiled warmly at Julie. “It was definitely the best decision. Can’t believe it’s been that long.” He felt immense relief that at least the last ten years of his life could be accounted for. If anyone could be trusted, it was Julie. “Hell, you were already way more qualified to run this joint.”
“Of course I was. That’s why you hired me.” Julie frowned, and her brow creased. “Are you okay? You’re acting sorta weird.” She dropped her voice. “Are you in some kind of trouble?”
“No, nothing like that.” Kevin squeezed Julie’s arm. “I don’t think.”
James peeped around the corner where he’d clearly been hiding. “I’ve read a bunch of really dark dead dove type fanfic, and I know at least eight different ways to dispose of a body.”
“Everything is good!” Kevin said quickly and loudly to make sure James heard him. “No bodies to dispose of!”
Neither James or Julie looked convinced.
“Can you at least tell me where you’re going?” Julie asked.
“The beach!” Kevin replied, unable to hide his excitement. “West coast. Gonna just drive and see the ocean.” He licked his lips nervously as he looked between Julie and James. They were the best friends he had besides Joe, and he didn’t want them to worry. He also didn’t want them to think he was insane, so he figured it was better not to tell them the truth. “It’s gonna be fun!”
“That’s the urgent trip? Going to the beach?” Julie frowned, and her gaze drifted to Percy, eyeing him suspiciously. “Withhim?” She scoffed. “Okay, is this some sort of a midlife crisis thing, sweetie? What’s really going on?”
Kevin laughed a little too hard at that.
