Chapter 7

For the first time in a while, Emily had been glad that the diner was busy. A football game had ended in victory, and it seemed like the entire city had emptied out of their homes into every bar available to celebrate. Now that it was edging toward midnight, people were drunk and hungry, which made Emily’s place of work the perfect place for rowdy football fans.

Emily had already been pinched, asked out, and had her breasts stared at, but she was used to it. If she acted like a dimwit, usually the guys left her alone. If some guy got too handsy, Lawrence would take care of him.

And if not Lawrence, then Jenson would. Burly and taciturn, Jenson had worked as the cook at The Dine in Five for probably longer than Emily had been alive. Covered in tattoos, Emily had heard he’d been in jail for years, but she still didn’t know why he’d been put behind bars.

“I need onions on this one,” she said, pointing to the burger under the warmer.

Jenson grunted, lifting up the bun and slapping some