Page 1 of Into the Shadows

Chapter 1

Lottie

Eighteen years old

The bell chimes, signaling another customer during the busy lunch hour. I’ve been running around like a crazy person all day. One of the other waitresses called in sick, which left me to deal with the rush by myself.

“I’ve got this order. You go seat them,” Mabel says, scooping up the plates that just landed under the warmer. She’s at least seventy, though she’s never officially confirmed her age. Jones’s Diner has been in her family for generations and has been a staple in Sonoma from the moment it opened. Mabel’s managed the diner since her dad handed over the reins to her thirty-some years ago.

A smile stretches across my face when I see my next customers. “How’s my favorite family doing?”

Noah reaches out for a side hug. “We’re just fine, although I feel like we should come back later.”

“I told you it would be crazy,” his wife, Lilly, snarks at him.

Nellie reaches out to give me a hug after her dad. “Hi, Lottie! We’re getting milkshakes. I finished third grade today!”

My eyebrows shoot up my forehead. “Thirdgrade? What are you going to do when your brain gets too big for your skull?”

Nellie giggles. Her blonde hair is pulled back into a ponytail today, and her blue eyes have the same sparkle her dad’s always have. “That’s not possible. You’re so silly.”

I grin at her. “Come on, a table just opened up in the corner. Should be a little quieter on this side.” I set the menus down once the three of them sit and double-check if they want anything else to eat besides milkshakes.

Buzzing around the diner, I work on autopilot. I’ve been doing this job for two and a half years and have loved every minute.

I’ll be moving to UNC in a couple of weeks for college. I’d never admit it out loud, but I’m terrified. If my best friend, Gia, wasn’t going with me, I’m not sure I’d have the guts to go. Unlike most people I graduated with, I love living in my hometown. If everything works out, I want to move back home when I’m done with college.

The heavy white plates sit comfortably in my arms as I carry them over to Noah, Lilly, and Nellie. Since Noah and Lilly’s wedding a month ago, I’ve spent a lot of time babysitting Nellie. I’m going to miss the heck out of her when I go to college, so I’m trying to soak up as much time as I can. Plus, Noah and Lilly deserve to have a few hours to themselves.

“Pick a spot anywhere, handsome,” Mabel calls from behind the counter. I glance up at the newcomer and freeze where I’m standing.

His dark eyes catch mine, and for a second, the entire world disappears. I’ve never seen a man embody the phrasetall, dark, and handsomethe way he does. His black hair is cut short on the sides and a little longer on the top, his tan skin looks as if it’s been kissed by the sun, and then you throw the white T-shirt and black jeans on top and you’ve got the epitome of a bad boy.

Who the heck is he?

“Earth to Lottieeeee,” Noah singsongs, pulling me out of my stupor. I shake my head to focus back on handing out their food. My cheeks heat at the smirks Noah and Lilly send my way. I can’t believe I just got caught checking out a cute boy.

“Sorry, guys. Here you go.” I put their meals in front of them. “Can I get you anything else?”

“You can get your cute butt over to that table and get your flirt on,” Lilly teases.

“Lilly,” Noah groans.

“What?”

“If Uncle Cooper heard you encouraging this, he’d kill me.”

I roll my eyes at the mention of my dad. “I’m allowed to date. I am eighteen, after all.”

“No, you aren’t. You’re still ten and unable to pronounce my name right,” Noah whines. I giggle when he winks at me.

“You better go before Mabel makes a move.” Lilly gestures over to where Mabel is grabbing a menu.

I dash away from the table, with Lilly’s and Noah’s laughs floating behind me. “I got this one, Mabel.” I snatch the menu from her hand.

“Dammit, Lottie. You always get the cute ones,” she teases. Then she hip-checks me toward his table. “Go get ‘em.”

My heart starts to race as I walk over to Mister Broody. His dark eyebrows are furrowed while he stares at his clasped hands. I have the strangest urge to pull him into a hug. For some reason, he looks as if he’s the loneliest man in the world.

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