Page 19 of Priest

“This place is amazing though, right? Have you had the Gumbo yet?”

Oh, no. Now I have to answer him.

I nod. “Yeah.”

He leans closer. “The cook is a real weirdo, though. Check how he dresses? Pretty sure he’s batting for the other team, if you get my drift.” He gives me a wink.

I recoil. How dare he talk about Manny that way. He’s been nothing but nice to me and always friendly and smiling. Annoyance flows through my veins as I try not to get mad. I guess I did inherit my father’s temper after all. One of the few traits I got from him.

The doors finally open and everyone files in. I get out of line the second I’m in the door, and head to the kitchen. That’s my MO now. I help first, eat later. And today it’s given me an excuse to get away from that Rueben guy.

I grab an apron, say hi to Manny and Shanice and run right into Priest. I crash into his strong body as he holds me by the shoulders to stop me from stumbling sideways.

“Hey, little one,” he chuckles. “Like a bat outta hell today, huh?”

“Uh, sorry,” I say, looking up into his pretty eyes from under my cap. I never let my hair down or have it out. It’s easier to go unrecognized if I have a little bit of a disguise. “I wasn’t looking where I was going.”

He moves one way and at the same time, so do I, and we do this dance in the doorway, neither of us getting by one another.

My shoulders shake with laughter. “See, it’s not just me. You’re uncoordinated, too.”

“This is why I normally stay in my own penalty box. I don’t get out much.”

“And when you do, you’re a little off.” The words fly out of my mouth.

But he’s not annoyed. If anything, he’s amused. “Just a little, but don’t tell anyone, okay?”

I nod, making my way toward the counter where Luna and another girl I’ve never met before called Payden — Luna’s best friend — are serving. Luna tells me Stella couldn’t make it tonight and my heart drops a little. We’ve become friends and she’s easy to talk to. I like Luna too, but Stella and I just seemed to hit it off.

I’m thrilled that tomorrow I’m helping Manny with the carbonara. Tonight we’re serving the famous pumpkin and chickpea curry with rice, and Luna laughs and says how pissed Stella is gonna be and we’ll have to save her a dish.

I work hard, clearing tables, wiping them down and collecting food from the kitchen. I catch Rueben watching me a few times, but I steer clear of him. Before I leave for the night, Manny asks if I can come back around three so we can prepare for the dinner rush. I’m thrilled and excited. Priest gives me a ride back to the shelter and he talks openly about his sister, Hope, and that she might be visiting soon.

I don’t know why he’s so talkative, but it’s soothing somehow. As stupid as that sounds. I listen to him telling me about how his sister changes her job every week and still hasn’t found her niche. I know how she feels, even though I stay silent.

“Thanks… for the ride,” I say as he stops right in front of the shelter doors.

“Anytime. How long are you plannin’ on bein’ here for?”

I shrug. If you’re going to be around, as long as possible… “I’m not sure.”

“Have you thought any more about Stella’s job offer?”

I swallow hard. It’s not that I don’t like hard work, it’s that I can’t afford to be complacent. And if I’m supposed to be dead, then I’m to remain that way. Then again, nobody is looking for me.

“I think it could be a good option for me,” I say. It’s non-committal, but I have to make it sound like I’m all for it. I don’t want him to think I’m ungrateful. “It was kind of her to offer.”

“It might help you get back on your feet…” I know he’s fishing just a little, but the reality is, he knows nothing about me. Just the few little bits of information I shouldn’t have shared.

I nod. “Well, goodnight. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

He opens his mouth and my lips drop for a second. Whatever he was going to say is lost. “I worry about you, if I’m being honest.” He thumbs to the shelter behind him. “I know you’re safe here for the time being, but it’s not a permanent solution.”

I frown. “What are you saying?”

“Well, Linda probably spoke with you about what the shelter can do to help with life on the other side… when you leave for good.”

Leave for good?

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