Page 35 of Hostile Holiday

“I enjoy it.”

“Nice. There is a place on Seventh.”

“I know it. Across from the gym.”

“Yup.”

“All right. We have a destination.”

She sat and wished she could let Emery know that they were coming, but since the diner was one of her three jobs, it was likely she would be there.

What were the odds that Emery was the second star?

Emery looked at them and grinned. “Why, Orla, you are looking all kinds of dry cleanable.”

“Hey, Emery. Keeping busy?”

“Always. Would you like a booth or a table?”

Hunter smiled. “Booth, by the window, please.”

“Great. Mo will be your server.”

Orla said, “Can you put us in your section?”

“Oh, I only have one booth, but it is against the window.”

Hunter nodded. “Perfect. I know someone at the gym across the way, and if we have a chance, I would like to invite him for coffee.”

“Right this way, then.”

Emery led them to a corner booth that did, indeed, have glass for one wall. Orla said, “When you have a minute, can you answer some questions for me?”

“As soon as I get your order in. I am overdue for a break.”

Orla sat down and nodded. “Okay. Thank you.”

Hunter looked at her. “That is your friend?”

“It is. I don’t feel anything from her, though. Nothing but a sense of calm.”

“Well, we will find out when she returns.”

Orla was nervous. She fidgeted as Emery took their order, and when she came back, she didn’t have her apron on. Emery looked at Hunter. “Scooch over. Orla needs to talk to my face, not the side of my head.”

Hunter was surprised, but he did it. He pulled out his cell phone and started texting.

Orla looked at her friend and just blurted out, “Emery, are you a star?”

Emery grinned. “Well, since you finally woke up, I will answer. Yes. I am a star.”

Orla stared and said, “You mean really?”

“Really. I woke early, and I found you, but I had to wait until you woke up because your family situation was way worse than my foster home. I didn’t want to set the males in your family off, so I just stifled it.”

Orla blinked. “So, it is stifled now?”

“Yeah. I am not going to glow at work. I don’t need to use it, so I don’t.”

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