Chapter 22
Anna
As we pulled into the restaurant's parking lot, I stifled a groan. "Seriously? We're having lunchhere?"
From the driver's seat, Flynn said, "Is there a problem?"
I looked toward the ugly pink building. "Yes, actually."
"What, you don't like waffles?"
Funny, I used to love waffles. But now, after nearly a year of serving them – and yes,smellingthem – they weren't exactly a treat anymore.
But that wasn't the main reason I didn't want to eat here. "I just feel funny, that's all."
"Yeah? Why's that?"
As if he didn’t know."Because I was scheduled to work tonight. And now I’m not."
"So?"
"So what if they're mad at me?"
"They'll get over it."
That was easy forhimto say. People probably forgavehimanything.But me? Not so much.
Flynn might not realize it, but I'd worked incredibly hard to ditch the rich girl persona, and yes, to have people accept me for what I'd become – just another local girl trying make ends meet.
The thought of waltzing into the restaurantnow, joined by some rich guy no less, made me feel just a little bit queasy for reasons unrelated to the stench of waffles.
Yes, Icouldsmell them from the parking lot, but that wasn't the point.
When I made no reply, Flynn added, "And it's not your shift, so what's the problem?"
On this, he had a point. I worked nights, which meant that I'd be unlikely to encounter any of my regular co-workers.
Still, I hesitated. For all I knew, someone from the day crew was being forced to work a double shift because of my sudden hiatus.
I looked to Flynn and said, "But don’t you think it's a little rude?" I tried to explain. "Like, if you call in sick to the mall, you don't go shopping there on the same day."
"Except you didn't call in sick," he said. "You're on leave. There's a difference."
"But you're missing the point."
"And," he continued, "the nearest mall is fifty miles south."
"Forget the mall. I'm just saying, what if someone's working extra hours to make up for the fact that I’m not?"
He gave a tight shrug. "Double the hours, double the money."
"Yeah, but—"
"And we'll leave a nice tip. So don't worry, they'll get over it."
I stiffened. There it was again, the idea that tossing out a few dollars would make everything right. I didn't like it. And I was beginning to wonder if Flynn realized this and was doing it on purpose.
I asked, "Are youtryingto make me uncomfortable?"
