Page 14 of The Hellkeeper

“Okay.” I mumble, turning fast, eager to flee back to the kitchen.

Margaret works beside me, kneading dough for the next batch of bread.

“That man rattled you,” she muses.

I shake my head quickly. “No, just tired.”

I make sure the steak is rare; barely cooked in the center. The sight of the raw meat churns my stomach. I’ve never been a fan.

Margaret notices. “I can do it if you want.”

“I got it.”

I finish the steak and plate it with a side of roasted potatoes, making sure it’s perfect.

Come on, Amelia. You’re a big girl. Nothing to be scared of.

Feigning confidence, I walk back to his table and set the plate down. But I don’t wait around. I bolt, tending to other customers.

But I still feel him.

Even from across the room, his presence is heavy. Watching.

A while later, he signals for me.

I hesitate.

Margaret nudges me. “Go on, hon. He’s just asking for the bill.”

Just the bill.

I force my legs to move. My mind goes into fight-or-flight at the sight of him. I don’t understand why. But underneath the fear, there’s something else…attraction.

Shame crawls up my spine. How can I be terrified of this man and drawn to him at the same time?

I slide the bill onto the table. He takes his time wiping his mouth with a napkin before looking up at me.

“Amelia?”

I hum in response, barely trusting my voice.

His lips curl at the corners. “Wear the dress. It goes well with your necklace.”

He doesn’t give me time to process before he’s out the door.

The world narrows.

How does he know about the dress? My fingers reach for the necklace at my throat, its cold diamonds pressing against my skin. My pulse races.

It’s him, isn’t it?

Cold sweat clings to my spine.

I pull myself together, pretending everything is fine, and reach for the bill.

When I flip it over, I nearly pass out.

He left a tip.

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