Page 15 of Blood and Bonbons

To my relief, she exhaled heavily and nodded. “Fine. We’ll go back tomorrow.”

“We? Ah, hell naw! I’m never going back there again. And don’t even think of trying to bribe me with another piece of cheesecake. It won’t work.” The whole cheesecake might, though, and that worried me.

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Vena said sweetly. “Did you see the topping that came with that slice you’re eating? Triple berry something. I forget what she called it, but it sounded fancy and was made with alcohol.”

“I need a new best friend. One who doesn’t know me as well,” I said, setting down my half-eaten cheesecake.

She took the plate. “But think of all the fancy desserts you’d be missing out on.”

“Keep the desserts. I’m not bringing the ring back. You and Miles can go.”

Turning my back on the tempting bribery and my traitorous friend, I headed to the living room to relax before my shift.

A whispered argument between the siblings drifted to my ears, but I didn’t care to listen. I was done with ancient rings, cobwebbed vampires, and glittery non-codpieces. Right now, my life was all about kicking up my sore feet and watching some mindless TV.

A few minutes later, Miles left with a hasty goodbye and closed the door.

“Ready for someOther Housedrama?” I called to Vena.

“I’m going to hang out in my room for a bit.”

The sound of her door snicking close was ominous.

Something was going on. Rather than ask what, I took a breath and settled into the couch. She was either keeping me in the dark for my benefit or wasn’t ready to talk about whatever was upsetting her. As long as she wasn’t plotting another trek with me as a sidekick, I was content to leave her alone.

* * *

After turning off the car, I used the rearview mirror to check my face. The small cut was visible under the transparent medical strip I’d applied to keep it closed and sanitary. Tips would either be really great tonight out of pity or awful out of disgust.

Adrian and Pam were lingering by the lockers when I came in. Neither said anything to me when I stuffed my purse into my locker and clocked in. They didn’t need to. I could feel their speculative glances until I turned my back on them and headed upstairs.

Anchor’s brown eyes flicked between my scratch and my eyes.

“Trouble I need to take care of?” he asked, not stepping aside. With his wide stance and even wider shoulders, there was no way around him.

“Only if you have a machete and herbicide,” I said with a grin that pulled at the bandage. He didn’t smile in return.

“The rest of us need to get to work, Anchor,” Adrian said behind me. “Flirt with Everly later.”

“We’ll talk later,” Anchor said, stepping aside. “I’m going to want a name.”

I patted his arm as I passed.

“Mother Nature. That’s the only name I have. She’s a cruel lady who likes tripping people with her roots.”

Hurrying up the stairs, I inwardly cringed at what I knew was coming and joined the others in the staff room. They all glanced at me, but no one said anything.

Shepard strode in a minute later.

He looked at me, frowned, then glanced down at the tablet he held.

“Adrian, you have upper stage right,” he said. “Thomas, lower stage left. Pam, lower stage right. Sierra, VIP section. Don’t screw it up. Everly, upper stage left, but see me in my office before the shift.”

He turned and headed out.

“Guess Everly isn’t the favorite anymore,” Sierra whispered loud enough for everyone to hear.

I shook my head then followed Shepard to his office where he was already seated.

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