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“I can’t. I’m working.”

“I’ll take care of that. Hey, Millie!”

Millie smiles and makes her way over. She’s Aunt Nita’s age, but you’d never hear her admit it. She says she dresses the age she feels, which most of the time looks like twenty. Her hair and lipstick are always a matching shade of red. She’s probably been with half the guys in the MC. Not me. I’m not into cougars. Plus, she’s Nita’s best friend. Millie’s a good woman, though, and a keen business woman.

“Can I borrow your waitress for five minutes?”

Raven’s eyes widen in annoyance and she turns to Millie, ready to argue.

“Sure thing, honey. I can manage. Besides, Sheila will be here any minute.”

She turns on her heels and walks away, leaving us alone.

“Please, just leave. I need to get back to work.”

“Raven, sit.”

She opens her mouth to protest and I narrow my eyes at her.

“Sit.”

She sighs and glances around nervously before sliding in opposite me. She lowers her gaze, staring into her lap.

“What’s going on with you?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t give me that. Are you sick, or in some kind of trouble?”

“I’m fine.”

“Look at me.”

She slowly raises her head and gives me a dead stare.

“Why are you acting like we’re strangers?”

“We are.”

“We may not be friends, but we’re far from strangers, Raven. What’s going on?”

“Nothing. For the last time, stay out of my business. Just go play with your stupid bike and leave me the hell alone.”

She slides out of the booth and marches back to the counter. Before she gets there, she stops, shakes her head, and then runs out the rear exit. Fuck, I knew it. Millie stops me before I can follow her out.

“She tell you what’s going on?”

“No. You?”

“She won’t say a word no matter how many times I ask. Go on. If anyone can fix what’s wrong, I know it’s you.”

God, I hope so.

***Raven***

Stupid grease monkey! Why couldn’t he just stay away? I haven’t seen him in weeks and now, all of a sudden, he’s back and in my business. Ugh! I swipe at my tears with the back of my hand and lean against the wall. I hope this doesn’t get back to Lonnie. She’d surely kill me this time. She’s been on me like a hawk even though I’ve been dating Christopher. He’s a great guy and all, but I only agreed to go out with him thinking it would get Lonnie off my back. I’ve accepted that’s not going to happen. I just need to get through the next two months. I’ve already lined up an apartment and saved enough for the deposit.

“Jesus Christ, Raven!”