Page 36 of Stronghold

I'm introduced to Wyatt and Andy, who I've seen here before but haven’t been formally introduced to.

"Looks like Skyler's going to be late," Wyatt says, looking at his phone.

"I didn't realize he was coming tonight," I say.

Anita smiles and gives me a scrutinizing look, not dissimilar to the ones I get from my mom. Is it a mom thing? Do you get it after you've given birth? Or is it a woman thing?

"Right…um, I better get back to the bar. If you're looking for something to eat, specials are on the board. I'm not gonna say I've tried the potato, bacon, and mozzarella fingers and loved them, but I'm not,notgonna say it if you know what I mean."

They laugh.

"Hey, if you have a break coming up, why don't you join us?" Andy asks.

"Thanks, I do, actually. I can take your orders and bring them on my way back."

At my advice, they order double portions of the fingers, much to the cook's delight. This is a new thing he's trying to see if customers go for it. He makes his own chili dip, which has just the right heat level for me.

My break comes up just as their food is ready, so I take my salad from the staff fridge and plate it up. I don’t want to be eating from a box in the bar.

The group is deep in conversation when I sit in the booth next to Anita.

"Hey, Judson, have you seen anything? You're here more often," Noah asks.

"Seen what?"

"You know. The TV people," Andy says.

"I have no clue what you're talking about. What TV people?"

Wyatt leans forward as if he's going to share a secret.

"After the hostel burned down, the owners took the insurance money and moved away. I've heard rumors that the mayor wants to repurpose it because it's in a prime location."

"That makes sense," I say.

"Yes, but it's costly work. Nothing happened for months, but then the mayor was in talks with a local TV channel to produce a reality TV show based here."

I stared at Wyatt. A reality TV show? I can't think of anything worse than having cameras around Burlington all the time.

He continues. "So…it's not public yet. I know this because a girl I work with is dating a guy that works in the mayor's office, and she told me…"

He pauses for effect, and I want to snort at the theatrics, but I don't know the guys that well and don't want them to get offended or think I'm rude.

"They've been planning this for months…"

"Oh, just spill it," Anita says, taking the last potato finger and dipping it in the sauce.

"You're no fun," Wyatt moans.

"Oh, she's plenty of fun," Noah says, and both Wyatt and Andy groan.

"Thanks, babe. And that's why I married you," she says.

"I thought it was because of—" Anita slams her hand over Noah's mouth and gives him a warning look.

I can't help laughing. These guys are funny. I can see why Sky is friends with them.

"My break is ending soon, don't leave me hanging, Wyatt," I beg.