Page 77 of While We Waited

“Hey!” someone behind her shouts. “Can we get some service here?”

Hazel rolls her eyes. “Sorry. TheSmuggler Reenactment Dinneralways brings out the tourists.”

Which is the entire idea. Once the summer ends, the number of tourists visiting the island dwindles. The idea of theSmuggler Reenactment Dinneris to bring in tourists during the offseason. Based on how crowded the restaurant is, it’s working.

“Come on.” She grabs two menus. “I’ll show you to your table.”

We follow her to a private table in the corner. From here, we can watch the action but it’s not as loud.

“Best table in the house.” Hazel slaps the menus on the table. “You’re a lucky girl. It’s a set menu tonight but you can order off the menu if you want.”

“How much did you bribe the owner?” I ask Hudson.

He shrugs.

I was joking. He’s clearly not. “You did bribe the owner.”

“You and your friends were planning a heist to steal all the tickets to tonight’s event. I had no choice.”

Hazel nods. “Good decision. You know they would have totally pulled off a heist.”

I scowl. “The tickets are electronic. A heist wouldn’t have helped.”

“Except the mayor’s office has ten paper tickets.”

I lift my menu to hide behind it since I’m a sucky liar. “I didn’t know.”

Hazel giggles as she walks off. “Good luck with her.”

“He’s lucky to have me,” I holler after her.

Hudson grunts.

“I interpret your grunt as agreement.” I lay my menu on the table. “When does the action start?”

“You’re not mad I bribed the owner?”

I wave my hand in dismissal. “Of course not. I got what I wanted.”

“You’re easy.”

“Duh.” I point to my belly.

He reaches across the table for my hand. “I didn’t mean you’re easy in that way.”

“I know, but it’s sweet you’re worried.”

“I’m not sweet,” he grumbles.

The door flies open and a gang of bootleggers rush into the restaurant. “Shush. The reenactment is starting.”

“We need to hide. Where can we hide?” The first bootlegger asks as he scans the restaurant.

I raise my hand. “Over here! Over here!”

The group starts toward us but Hudson growls at them and they halt.

I slap Hudson’s shoulder. “Don’t ruin my fun.”

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