Page 35 of Holiday Friend Zones
I fire off a text, hoping against hope that Joey will come meet me at the diner after work.Because I love her brother and her.
And I want to keep them both in my life.
Forever.
ChapterSix
RYLEE
Idon’t think the panic has stopped since the minute I walked into the Hash ’N Hop this morning.After Joey fled Chase’s apartment, I wanted to go after her, but I couldn’t.She was in her car and out of there before I could stop her.After that, I couldn’t be late for work.
Not that Betty would fire me, but I don’t want to make the other girls pick up my slack.
Thankfully, I’ve worked this job long enough to be able to go through the motions.I can serve up a burger and fries with a smile.Slide a milkshake across the countertop with ease.
I have no idea when Joey is supposed to get here, but I’m hoping it’s soon.I can’t stand the anxiety.I’m just glad she agreed to come see me.
Joey is my best friend.The two of us went to school together before she dropped out after she got pregnant with Max.The last thing I want is for her to feel betrayed.
Seeing that it’s almost the end of my shift, I write out one last order on the check pad, tearing it off and sticking it on the metal turnstile of orders.
Every time the chime sounds from the door, I look up, hoping it’s Joey, but it’s not.
Grabbing a plate of cheese fries and a chocolate shake, I take my order out and drop it off to two friends.
Something Joey and I always do.It’s our go-to when we have things to share.
“Honey, you are going to give yourself a crick in your neck from looking at the damn door,” Betty shouts from the kitchen.
“Sorry.”
“What’s got you all in a twist today?”Betty slides a grilled cheese sandwich and fries through the window before turning her fierce blue eyes on me.
“Waiting on Joey.”
“What for?”A white curl comes loose from her bandanna as she goes back to flipping burgers.“You do something to make her mad?”
“You could say that.”
I don’t really need to get into the fact that she caught me with her brother the morning after we hooked up.Betty will hear about it soon enough.
“Say you’re sorry and you’ll be fine.”She points her spatula at me.
“I hope it’s that easy,” I confess.
The door chimes, and this time it’s Joey.Her brown eyes search the diner for me.Pushing out of the kitchen door, I wave at her.
“You’re here.”
“Sorry I’m late.I got stuck at work and don’t have much time before I have to grab Max from my parents.”
“Want anything to drink?”I ask, undoing my apron and setting it on the table of the empty corner booth.
“I’m okay,” she says, dropping down across from me on the pink pleather seat.She holds her hands out to me to hold.“I’m sorry, Ry.”
“No, I am.”
“Please.”She holds one hand up.“I overreacted this morning.Max’s dad called and said he wants nothing to do with him.”
