His body remains tense, eyes glued to the driveway, his jaw twitching in discomfort. I tug at his hand and bring his attention back to me. When he looks down and studies me for a moment, his body relaxes.
“Are you okay with doing that?”
I nod, smirking as he deepens his frown. “Yeah. I think I should work on things while I’m here.”
“Yeah?” He weaves his fingers around my own, tugging me an inch closer to him.
“Yeah. But can we wait on our talk, though?” One issue isenough for the day. I’m already feeling drained and ready to take a nap. Sometimes you need to rest in order to help the healing process. Plus, I’m not ready to pop this comfort bubble Ryland and I seem to be in. Not yet anyway.
“Yeah, okay. Whenever you’re ready.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Eleven Years Before
Raine
MJ’s Diner isthepopular hangout spot in Covewood, Kentucky. It sits on the very edge of downtown, across from the building where the farmer’s market is held during the spring season until the end of fall. The diner was opened in the late fifties by the Loveitt family.
The fact that the original owner named the diner after his wife gives the place a romantic feel. That and their last name literally has the wordlovein it. It’s a no brainer.
It’s decorated in warm colors that create a cozy atmosphere, and the walls are covered with photographs of the original owners and their family over the years. Each day, I see couple after couple snuggling close in the booths, sneaking kisses when they think no one is looking, sharing food, and causing my coworker, Stefanie, to gag.
“I don’t know why I choose to work here and torture myself,” she snarls from behind the register, straightening the bills in the drawer, and rolls her baby blues.
“Because you're part of the Loveitt family, so naturally it’s tradition that you work here.”
Stefanie Loveitt is a few years older than me and went through a bad breakup a few months ago. The idea of being in love is repulsive to her. So anytime Ryland enters the diner to visit me, I tell him to keep the affection to a minimum—only when she’s around, of course. Every night when I end my shift, Ryland and I have been sneaking an hour or two together before I have to go back home.
I stretch the truth, you could say, and tell Mom and Davis that I’m working longer shifts. Davis hovers over everything that I do, making sure Ryland and I don’t get to see each other throughout the week. What they don’t know won’t hurt them. Ryland and I spend our evenings hanging out at the diner, walking the streets of downtown, catching a movie at the theater across the street, or we sit in the car and talk.
“Quit being such a Debbie Downer, Stef. You know working with me is the highlight of your day.” I bump my hip into hers.
“That and the tips. I can’t complain about the tips.”
“Agreed.” I’ve been saving every tip that I can since Davis knows nothing about them.
As she continues organizing the cash register, I scan the diner to make sure everyone looks accounted for. That’s when I notice an extra person sitting in my section. Panic squeezes my throat as soon as I recognize who it is. Matt, one of Davis’ gophers, is watching me with his dark eyes, his lips turning into an evil smirk as soon as he notices me looking his way.
I turn and rush into the kitchen, allowing the swinging door to hit my backside and push me forward a few steps. Carl, the cook, looks over at me and raises his bushy eyebrows.
“Everything okay?”
“Uh…yeah. I just—”Just what, Raine? No need to panic here. Matt lives in Covewood, and there aren’t many restaurant options to choose from. He’s probably just here to eat. Not to spy on you. Surely Davis wouldn’t send Matt here to spy onme? To make sure that I’m at the diner? Well, I’m here, so maybe it’s a good thing Matt has seen me working.
Unless…
Unless Davis has caught on to my lies.
“Hey, there is a—” Stefanie says from behind me. I whip around, eyes wide with fear, and face her. “You’re looking pale. Are you feeling alright?”
“Stefanie, would you do me a huge favor and take over the table in the back corner? Please, I’m begging you. I’ll do anything you want.” I beg her, the words escaping me so fast.
Stefanie watches me for a moment, hesitating at first, and nods her head and slips out of the kitchen. I take a moment to breathe in deep breaths, attempting to calm my heart, which is currently trying to escape my chest cavity.
A few minutes later, Stefanie is walking through swinging doors with an order to give to Carl. “Okay, since I’m waiting on the creep, could you grab the family that just came in?”
“Yes, absolutely. Thank you.”
