Page 112 of The Hallows Queen

“No,” I lie. “It’s been over four years – I was just curious.”

“Time means nothing,” she says softly. “You’re allowed to miss her.”

“Well,” I say, looking down at my plate. “I don’t.”

“Hayden…” Logan says, her golden eyes turning sad. “She was a huge part of your life, and she ghosted without a word… It’s okay to still love her.”

My phone rings then, saving me from having this conversation with my best friend again, and when I pull it from my pocket, it’s from a North Carolina area code.

I swipe the screen to answer it, then put the phone to my ear. “Hello?”

A feminine but professional voice answers me. “Hi, this is Dr. Michaela at Luxington General Hospital. I’m looking for Hayden Monroe.”

“This is he.”

“I’m sorry to have to tell you this, Mr. Monroe, but your father has had a heart attack. I think it’s best you come right away,” the doctor says, her voice even like she has a lot of practice at making these calls. My stomach drops, and my teeth go cold like I’m going to have a panic attack.

“Um,” I say, looking at Logan, but speaking into the phone. “I mean, is he okay?”

“I think you should get here as soon as you can,” she says, and my stomach flips.

“Of course, I’ll be there as soon as I can get a flight.”

I clear the lump in my throat as I hang up the phone, and when I look up, all three of my friends are staring at me.

“My dad had a heart attack.” I swallow, then take a breath. “I have to go to Luxington.”

Chapter41

Penelope

The restaurantI manage is particularly slow for a Friday night, so I’m hiding in the kitchen, eating bread that’s meant to go out to customers. Since we’re half empty, I’m sure we’d have some left over by the end of the night anyways.

I guess I could go home, leave the night to my wait staff and assistant manager, but there isn’t much to do there either.

“You eating bread on the clock?” One of the servers walks past me, laughing on his way to fill up a pitcher of water.

“I’m the manager, I can do whatever I want,” I grumble. “Plus, I’m bored.”

Once the pitcher is full, he walks by me again, sneaking a piece of bread and popping it into his mouth. “You’re in luck, then. The to-go girl said she feels sick.”

I groan, eating another piece of bread. “Is she actually sick?”

He shrugs as he walks through the door that leads back out into the restaurant. “Hungover.”

I sigh, brushing my hands together over the half-eaten basket of bread. Well, at least this gives me something to do. Living in a small town, to-go orders do really well. I guess people don’t want their neighbors to see them sitting out at a restaurant five nights a week or something.

I tuck my hair behind my ears, then head out into the restaurant to find Tamara, my to-go girl.

“Hey,” I say to her. “I’ll cover for you. You’re good to clock out.”

She’s all sweaty, leaning against the register like it’s holding her up. “Oh my god, Penelope, really?”

I wave her off. “Yeah, been a while since I worked the counter. Go drink some water and get some rest.”

She smiles. “You’re a lifesaver.”

Before she walks away, I speak again. “Tamara? Don’t let it happen again, please.”

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