weeks

pace. She had dropped silverware, mixed up table numbers, and frozen when too many voices demanded her attention at once. But she refused to quit. She learned the r

n necessary. She k

on hung in the ai

ay afternoon. Crysta w

s voice barked from

g into the open cash register

argo asked, coming

hut. The sound made Crysta flinch. He turned his head and lo

t. The two customers at t

ed into her shoes. She immediately reached for

ed, wiping her ha

sta. His arms were crossed over his chest. "I counted it this morning. It was p

r voice was quiet, but her heart wa

pockets,"

burned the back of her neck. She was back

ed out her order pad, a pen, and three dol

r apron,"

top him, the bell ab

ed twenty-dollar bill. "Hey, Leo. You gave me a ten inste

is face. He looked at the mechanic,

ed his head to

o him, and walked into the kitchen. She grabbed a stack of dirty plates and shoved

vived t

ers. She forced her brain to catalog their faces and th

tall man with broad shoulders a

coffee, and placed it on the counter at his usual spot.

ptain Mason,

ed at the coffee, then at Crysta. He smiled.

r a glass of iced tea, though she had to run back to the kitchen when she realized sh

rush paid for his sandwich

Underneath the chair, a thick

She could see the edge of a stac

rom the grill. His spa

wallet, ran to the front door, and pushe

she y

was unlocking hi

allet, gasping for brea

t, saw the cash was untouched, and let out a massive breath. "Than

tepping back. "I don

d walked back

anding by the register. He looked at her. He

osed, Crysta was taking the he

nst the brick wall,

nto the dumpster. She t

you do?"

ped. She lo

drag of his cigarette. "What did

s in her chest. She looked at t

ople," Crysta said flat

details. She didn

ng time. He dropped the cigaret

am making the marinara sauce. It takes two peopl

ation. It was a

ed. "I will