Page 111 of Waiting for Redemption

“You’re only partially right,” I admit, taking the empty glasses from in front of them. Taylor sticks her tongue out at Leah like we’re in middle school and I can’t help but laugh.

“I’ve had a not-so-subtle reminder of my husband lingering for my entire shift so I’m counting down the minutes until I can go home.”

“Ow ow!” Lauren hollers. Leah makes a little growl noise. Taylor drums on the bartop, and Shane’s mouth falls open.

“Here?” Shane whispers. “Where?” Her eyes grow wide with scandalous curiosity.

“The walk-in freezer.” They all begin to make dramatic screaming noises as I look around to ensure no one else can hear this conversation.

“Max would have a stroke if he knew.” Shane laughs.

“Then maybe we should check on him…” Her mouth drops open even further this time, making the rest of the girls do the same.

“Oh my god, you got caught? That’s so hot,” Taylor exclaims.

“Only sort of. We were finished, thankGod. But I sort of panicked and grabbed five pounds of cheese before basically running out so it looked suspicious. Not to mention Tank doesn’t work here and getting cheese isn’t a two-person job…” They all double over in laughter, and I can’t help but do the same.

“I can’t,” Leah wheezes before almost falling out of her chair. Lauren tries catching her breath as she holds Leah up.

“Whycheese?” Lauren barely gets out, making me laugh even harder.

“It was the first thing I saw!” We’re all laughing hysterically when Max walks behind the bar, looking at us all like we should be medicated.

“Oh,honey!I am so happy you’re alive,” Shane says dramatically before falling into another fit of laughter.

“I thought you weren’t supposed to be drinking.” He stares at his wife in confusion. Shane hasn’t been drinking while Cece has been nursing because she’s scared she’ll get her secondhand drunk.

“Don’t worry. She’s sober.” I assure him.

“That worries me more.”

“We just thought you might be stroked out after finding Ruby…and thecheese.” You can barely make out what she’s saying at this point, but Max hears enough to put two and two together. He looks over at me and gives me thedisapproving dadhead shake.

“I’m glad you’re happy Rubes, but if you do it in my freezer again I’m making you work every shift with Marco for a month.” My smile falls immediately, looking at him with a stone-cold face.

“You’re mean.” And I’ll be damned if he doesn’t plaster on the same big ass grin I gave him earlier before winking at me, clicking his tongue, and walking back to his office. When I turn back around all the girls have their lips rolled or hands covering their mouths to keep from laughing.

“Was it worth it?” Taylor whispers, leaning in closer to me.

“Oh, yeah.” And the squealing starts again.

“Okay, okay, okay. We’re gonna go so you can get ready to go home,” Leah says, pushing her glass back.

“Bye. Love you guys.” I smile, waving them off as they all pile out the door.

DING

Husband

We need to talk when you get home.

Me

I’ll start by saying those are my 7 least favorite words ever. Can you tell me now? You know I have anxiety.

Husband

Sorry Honey, didn’t mean to worry you. It’ll be better to talk in person though. You off soon?

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