Page 64 of The Very Naughty List

When I get there, my parents and Pippa are already busy working. The diner is crowded with the end of the breakfast rush, and the three of them are racing around to keep up. Pippa is taking orders and practically dancing from table to table as she makes her way from one to the next in a practiced choreography. Our mom is behind the counter, taking the orders and handing them back through to our dad in the kitchen. A younger looking guy I don’t recognize is behind the counter too, and I grin and wave at him as he looks my way.

“Hey, Hailey, over here!”

I glance over to see Lucas sitting in the booth at the back that’s the unofficial ‘family booth.’ It’s the one we always used to crowd in at when we would hang out at the diner after school, and even now, I’d bet that most of the diner regulars wouldn’t sitin that booth unless the place was absolutely packed. They leave it open for me and my siblings, which I just love.

I greet my brother with a grin and slide onto the seat across from him.

“Want me to go grab you something from the kitchen?” he offers.

I shake my head since I already ate my bodyweight in bacon and French toast at the Cooper brothers’ house. But I do still reach out and pluck a piece of toast off his plate. The guys were right—I’m hungrier than usual today. I can’t even begin to figure out how many calories I must’ve burned last night.

“No, thanks,” I say. “I just wanted to swing by to visit mom and dad and see you and Pippa for a bit. I already ate.”

As I take a bite of the crispy toast, Lucas studies me.

“You look different this morning.”

“Oh?” I freeze mid-chew. “Um, how so?”

“I don’t know.” He frowns. “You’re a little flushed or something. Are you getting sick?”

Shit.

“I don’t think so.” I shrug, trying to ignore the sudden racing of my heart. “I parked a little farther away today. I probably should’ve worn a scarf.”

I press a hand to my cheeks as if trying to warm them up, despite the fact that they’re very warm already. But Lucas nods, leaning back in the booth as he glances over my shoulder.

“Oh yeah, it’s really getting cold out there. It’s supposed to snow again soon too, I think.” He chuckles. “You’ve been in LA too long. You’ve gotta learn to bundle up.”

“Right.” I nod, grateful that he doesn’t seem suspicious at all. “In LA, I barely ever need anything but a light jacket.”

I press my fingers to my cheeks a few more times, trying to cool them down and banish the flush as I ask him about his plans for spring semester.

Once I finish my toast, I escape before Lucas can ask any more overly observant questions. The breakfast rush has died down by now, and the new guy is behind the counter, so I slip into the kitchen, assuming that’s where my parents will be.

They’re standing near the back fridge with their heads together, having a low conversation, and the moment I look at their faces, I can tell something is wrong. My mother’s features are crinkled with worry, and my father is rubbing the side of his head.

“Hey, what’s going on?” I ask, stepping farther into the kitchen.

At the sound of my voice, my mother puts on her best “everything is fine” face. I can see right through it though, so I turn to my dad instead. He’s usually better about being blunt and forthcoming.

“What’s up? Is everything okay?”

He sighs, clearing his throat and glancing at my mom before looking back at me. “It’s just been a hard month. We’re a bit underwater financially, but we’ll figure out how to turn it around.”

“What?” My stomach drops. “How can that be? Every time I come in here, the place is packed to the brim.”

“It’s not that. We’ve got plenty of business.” A look of pride crosses his face for a moment before his expression sinks again. “The problem is that our rent on the building has been raised too high. There’s just no way we can keep afloat with things the way they are.”

My jaw tightens.

I know exactly who they’re talking about, and who raised the rent on them.The Montgomery family. They’ve always owned this building, just like they own a ton of other real estate in town. But as far as I know, they never used to overcharge my parents for rent.

“How long have they been jacking up the rent?” I ask, my voice going hard.

My mom shakes her head, clearly reading the direction my thoughts are going. “Hailey, it’s not?—”

“How long, Mom?”

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