ie

s in my mind, his deal, h

eamed no. Which

yone's well-being. They only cared a

e from across the diner, the way she always did, sharp, judgmental, and mean. I ignore

ind me. "Looks like

tered and walked away before she ask

Miss Sylvia insisted we use. "Good day, sir. Welco

or me and my girl. And two mil

ntil he looked up. It was Blake Huston. Tiffany's bo

d the bracelet Tiffany had

like he did

onged to her. "I'm sorry... what was your order again?

me the first time? Come on, b

l watching. I forced myself to apologize. "

in a soft tone. "Let's just order. I'm

d up. I wasn't sure if I

ly looked away, so I tried again. "I apologize agai

ng it again,"

eeseburgers, mid-sized. Two milks

efore my anger exploded. "Tessa, two mid-sized cheese

. "Isn't that Tif

ed. "Where? How

. Tiffany and I are coursemates. That's Blake." She sc

dn't know anything. "I'll go handle

top my thoughts. I filled two cups, topped them with w

ll be ready soon." My

a's nanny. I rushed to the storage room to pick up the call. "Hell

night. She's been complaining of back and leg pa

nstricted.

s she also has

y hand flew to my c

ause she hadn't eaten. Don't worry, I'll stay with her. You focus o

ou... I'll try to send some money

I walked back to the kitchen in silence, lost in t

I dropped it and turned away immed

. "What the fuc

asn't ther

y about this," he said

him hear the calm in my a

. "My mom and Sylvia, who

?" I asked w

But if you keep quiet, we won'

away immediately. "You're such a

me believed him. His

top thinking that th

iffany wasn't home yet, but her car was

t care what Blake said. Tiffany helped me with everything, foo

d. But instead of resting, the day fl

e world was col

It was the only escape I had. So I closed my eyes an

up at 7 a.m., shoved myself throug

y bag. And there he was again. Sitting like he owned the place. Tessa

s him. Why

l me." She laughed and

urage I had left, and approached h

Have a seat," h

'm attending to c

a custom

I won't be able to si

e chuckled. "I

d not

h? Fine." He leaned back. "Let'

my mind," I said,

lattened. "Then pay for what you did

ld hurt. "You're trying to force me into somet

read every fear on my face. The

it on the table. "Here's my card. In ca

looking back. I stared at

sake of my job? Or leave i

t know