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“What I need is more hours. You don’t even have to pay me. I’ll just work for tips.”

She leans on her desk and crosses her arms, narrowing her eyes.

“Money? What kind of trouble are you in?”

“I’m not in trouble. I’m just saving up for my own place. The extra hours would really help.”

“I see. Let me sleep on it, and we’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Millie. I really appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome, sweetie.”

She reaches into her pocket and hands me a hundred dollar bill. Fuck that. I asked for more hours, not charity.

“It’s not what you think, girlie. It’s the tip Gage left you.”

“But…that’s a hundred dollars!”

“Guess hereallyliked the service.”

She smiles and places it in my palm, closing my fingers around it. She taps my cheek softly and leaves me staring down at my fist. The service was not that good. In fact, it was horrible. I served him coffee, insulted him, cried all over his shirt, and chased him off. I tuck it into my pocket with the intention of giving it back to him. I’ll just give it to Dr. Emerson when he comes in for his coffee in the morning. That way, I don’t have to see Gage.

By the end of my shift, I’m in a better mood. If Millie comes through for me, I’ll reach my goal even sooner. As I’m wiping down my last table, Christopher walks in. He gives me one of his gorgeous smiles and it lifts my spirits even more. Whatever my reasons were for dating him, I don’t regret it. He slides an arm around my waist and kisses my cheek.

“Hey, beautiful.”

“Hi.”

“You ready?”

“In a sec.”

I remove my apron and toss it in the laundry basket, say my goodbyes, and we head out.

“How was work?”

“Good. I talked to Millie about giving me more hours. She didn’t say no, so I’m hopeful. You?”

“Great. I think I’m starting to get through to the kids.”

I listen to him talk about the kids he’s tutoring as part of a summer program, and admire the passion in his voice. He’s going to be a great teacher someday. He and his sister both took a year off from school – him to teach, and her to party. They are the poster children for twins with opposite personalities.

“I bought you those strawberry and cheese pastries you love.”

He dangles the bag in front of my face and I snatch it from his fingers. I waste no time opening the container and taking a bite of one. I close my eyes and moan as I chew. These things are heavenly.

“What the –?” Chris exclaims.

I turn to Chris and see him being pulled into the alley we were passing.

“Chris!”

I drop the pastries and run back to the alley, only to see him against the wall, a few feet off the ground. The worst part? The hands fisted in his shirt belong to the last person I want to see – Gage.

“Gage! What the hell? Put him down!”

He doesn’t even acknowledge me.