Page 52 of Johnathan

“Yeah. I know.”

“Is she okay?”

“Last night was rough, but she’s feeling okay now. Look, you guys got security footage I can look at?”

Geoff shook his head, giving John an apologetic smile. “I’ve been trying to get management to upgrade it for a while now. The only camera we have in here is pointed at the register the servers use in the back. The owner only cares about making sure no one is stealing money from him.”

“Shit. Alright. Thanks, Geoff.”

“No problem. Let me know if you find out who the guy is. I’ll post his picture and we’ll make sure he can’t be served here ever again.”

“Will do.” John hit his fist lightly on the bar top two times before turning and walking out.

Well, that dead end made him feel like shit.

His phone buzzed in his pocket.

Abby: I don’t know what happened, but I can’t access the guy’s profile anymore. He may have taken it down, or blocked me. I have access to the messages, but his picture is gone and so is his name and age and all that stuff. I’m so sorry.

John: Sweetheart, why are you apologizing to me? It’s clear this guy knew what he was doing. Jackson and I both saw the guy. We can figure out a way to find out who he is. Don’t worry about it. How are you feeling?

Abby: I’m okay. Emma pulled me into the bakery to talk for a bit, but now I’m back in the apartment. I decided to take a bath, which is nice.

John: Tell me more about this bath…

Abby: It’s very warm. And I’m very slippery from all the bubbles.

John: Abby…

Abby:I was going to wash your clothes to give back to you, but I think I want to sleep in them again, if that’s okay with you.

John: Jesus, baby. You trying to get me to wreck my truck? First I’m picturing you naked and slippery in your bathtub, now I’m thinking of you in your bed wearing my clothes.

Abby: Whoops. Sorry.

John: I don’t think you are, beautiful. And I think I like that about you. A lot.

Sixteen

“Are you working by yourself today?” Abby set her purse on the chair next to her and eyed the chocolate chip cookies Emma had on display. It had been such a long week, but it was finally Thursday. And she desperately needed a pep talk from Emma.

“Yeah, Mel has a big project for one of her classes and I didn’t want her to stress about hours this week. So, it’s just me here today and tomorrow.”

“You are the best boss, Em. And the best landlord. I could tell you horror stories about the ones I had in college.”

“You think Sam would ever let me hear the end of it if I was a bad landlord to his sister?”

Abby laughed. “You know Sam is scared of you, right? He’d definitely let it slide.”

Emma smiled. “Listen, I can’t help it if people realize I’m a bad bitch. Those people are probably the ones who will live longest because of their great self-preservation skills.”

“So true.”

“Now, as much fun as I’m having listening to you agree with my self-praise, I know you aren’t here for that. I usually don’t see you after school. What’s going on?”

“John and I are going out tonight.”

“That’s right! How could I forget? Please tell me you aren’t wearing that.” Emma pointed at Abby’s outfit and wrinkled her nose.

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