Page 60 of Pray for the Damned

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

WAVERLY

The club doesn’t open for another half an hour, and I can’t help but think about how it’s going to transform in such a short amount of time.

The lights are still on, the cleaner is doing one final sweep over the floors with the vacuum, and Elias is setting up one of the stages for a scene.

Soon there will be people everywhere, and sex will fill the air. Something I’m not sure I’m ready for after all the sex I’ve had in the last twenty-four hours.

I’m going to be walking funny if Emmett keeps this up.

Abigail is behind the bar already, and I’m starting to wonder if she lives here because she always makes it here before I do.

“Hey babe!” She grins as I approach. Her tight black dress shows off her impressive cleavage more than usual, and I wonder if maybe I should have worn something a bit more revealing to up my tips on the busiest night of the week.

“Hey.” I smile and shove my bag under the bar before stepping up beside her.

“You’re glowing.” She eyes me suspiciously. “You’re either knocked up or you got some dick.”

A startled laugh escapes my throat, making the few people milling around look our way, and I immediately drop my gaze to the paperwork spread out in front of Abigail.

“So it’s the second one then,” she says smugly. “I didn’t see you leave last night, so I should have known the good priest was showing you how bad he can be.”

I shake my head at her crude sentiment but can’t stop myself from smiling. “When I left, you looked like you were about to get your own railing,” I joke. It’s never come naturally to me making friends, but there’s something about Abigail that makes it easy.

She rolls her eyes. “He wishes.”

I nod down to the papers in front of us. “What’s all this?”

“Elias asked me to do the ordering for the bar, but I honestly have no clue what I’m doing.”

“I can help,” I offer. “I’ve managed a few dive bars here and there, so I’ve done it before. The systems might be different, but I’m sure we can figure it out together.”

“Oh my god, you’re a lifesaver.” She wraps an arm around me in a half hug that makes me smile a little wider.

If I knew it was this good to have friends, maybe I wouldn’t have put it off for quite so long.

The bar is busier than I’ve ever seen it, and I’ve been run off my feet since the first patrons walked through the door a few hours ago.

But that also means I’m making tips hand over fist, and I’m beginning to feel lightheaded at the idea of having spare money, something I’ve never had.

Every cent I’ve ever made has had a purpose. Rent. Food. Utilities. Clothes if I could swing it. But that’s about it.

This is money I’ve never dreamed of having, and it’s honestly making me feel a little unwell thinking about it.

What if I get used to this and then lose this job?

Or I have to run again?

I’ve been in New York for longer than any other city, but it’s been so long since anyone has found me, I’ve allowed myself to get complacent.

“You need a break, babe,” Abigail says, her hair still perfectly styled in a sleek high pony. It doesn’t seem to matter how many hours she works, she always looks perfect.

“I’m okay,” I insist. “I don’t need to take a break.”

“Yes, you do.” She nods toward the table in the corner that I haven’t allowed myself to look at since it got busy. I know he’s there because I can feel his eyes tracking my every movement, but he’s in Abigail’s section, so I haven’t had an excuse to go over there. “The good priest wants to see you. He’s getting antsy, and I’m afraid if I don’t send you over soon, he’s going to come get you himself.”

I laugh, thinking she’s joking, but when she doesn’t so much as crack a smile, I realize she’s not. “Oh.”

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