Page 14 of Under the Ink

And then shedidrun a bit.

By the time she got to the store, her hair was matted against her head—but she was relieved to see there wasn’t a long line of people demanding service. Just one customer. And Dan was chatting with her while he created her latte.

Naomi ran to the bathroom to double check her face and again touched up the makeup from the day before. There was still plenty on her skin—but she wiped off the perspiration from her brow and upper lip and tried smiling.

That was next to impossible.

Smoothing her work shirt, she let out a long sigh and pulled the door open. Walking up to the counter, she went to the side and around just as Dan was finishing up. “Double mocha. Enjoy.”

The customer thanked him and walked away. Meanwhile, Naomi had punched her code into the register to clock in. When she felt Dan’s eyes on her, she said, “Sorry I’m late.”

“Not as sorry as I am.”

“My phone died so my alarm didn’t go—”

“Just stop right there, Naomi. You’re always giving me excuses. If it’s not your phone, you’re sick or your water was turned off. I can’t even remember half of the excuses you’ve given me over the past year. But even when you’re on time, there’s other shit going on.”

“What?”

“Like right now. I can smell the alcohol on your breath. Your priorities are all out of whack.”

“I’m good with customers.”

“You’reokaywith customers—but you’re unreliable. And Kevin told me you’re considering taking a different job anyway. When did you plan to tellmethat?”

“I…” Kevin, that stupid jerk. Naomi knew why—the guy had as much as said it. Not only did he love to curry favors with the boss, he liked extra hours of doing nothing but getting paid for it. Such a butt-kisser.

“I’ve had enough. Naomi, I hope you’re able to get your shit together, but you won’t be doing it on my time anymore. I’m letting you go.”

“Dan, give me—”

“No more chances. In fact, you can clock out now.”

“But—”

“And you can keep your work shirts. I don’t need them.”

What the hell would she do with two red polo shirts with Coffee Stop logos on them?

But she had no response. While she clocked out, not having actually worked at all, Dan said, “You can have a cup of coffee to go. On the house.” When she looked up at him, he added, “You look like you could use it.”

That was the truth.

WINCHESTER, COLORADO

JUNE 5, AFTERNOON

“Iget why you’re blaming yourself, man, but you gotta stop.” Mickey Morton took a long swig of coffee, setting the mug back on the table, all the while keeping eyes on his friend.

“I’m not,” Sage said, pouring milk from the tiny silver pitcher. The coffee in his cup had seen better days, a greasy film clinging to the top of the dark brown liquid. Fortunately, the milk cut through it, making it look more normal.

It was his own fault. Who had coffee at a diner at one in the afternoon?

Other than him and his best friend, no one. Even though the Winchester Café was famous for breakfast all day, few people took them up on the offer.

But Sageneededcoffee. It was time to sober up a bit.

“Youare. Jimmy was a grown man. He knew what he was getting into.”

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