It’s like he read my mind. “Yeah, that sounds like a plan.”
Arlo and I go into the kitchen together and find Deb scrubbing the grill. “Hey, boys. You doing alright?”
“Yeah, we’re fine,” I answer. “We came to relieve you of your duties. Go home and spend the evening with your husband.”
She studies me for a second before glancing at Arlo. “And you’re staying here?”
I almost roll my eyes. They’ve all been treating me with kid gloves, and it’s grating on my nerves. It’s been almost three weeks since the mystery man showed his face asking questions, and just as I suspected, nothing has come of it.
“I’ll stay,” Arlo says, nodding.
“And you’re sure you can handle it if you get another rush?”
I look past her and out the window. The snow is coming down again, and it’s already getting dark. “We close in an hour anyway, and we’ve been dead for two. I can’t see us picking up now.”
She sighs, taking off her apron. I knew we’d talk her into it. “Alright, alright. But if you need anything, call me.”
We won’t need anything. “Will do.”
She gives me a hug, then Arlo, before grabbing her coat. “You boys be safe, and like I said, if you need me, call.”
“We will,” Arlo assures her, ushering her out the side door. “Be safe on your way home.”
As soon as the door closes behind her, he turns to face me. I don’t know why or what we even find funny, but after holding strange eye contact for a few seconds, we both burst into laughter.
“Okay,” I say, still chuckling. “Let’s put on some Christmasmusic and start cleaning. No reason to put it off.”
As soon as the clock strikes seven, I’ll have Austin here to get me, and we’ll get to spend Christmas Eve together.
“Let’s do it.”
Forty-five minutes later, the entire dining room is cleaned from top to bottom. Arlo reaches into the sink to pull the drain plug. “I’m glad we sent her home.”
“God, me too. This place has been dead.”
She would have been just as bored as us, and for what? She’s earned the right to go home. She doesn’t need to be stuck here all evening for no reason.
“I had a feeling it would be,” Arlo says, and I nod my agreement.
“I’m gonna stack the chairs and then mop.” I take a quick peek at my phone.
Austin
On my way, but slow going because of the snow. Left early enough that I should still be on time.
It’s 6:50 now, so he should be here within the next ten minutes or so. “You can head out if you want. I’ll finish up mopping, and we’ll be good to go.”
Arlo brushes a hand through his hair. “You sure?”
“Yeah, totally fine. Let me know when you make it home, though.”
He nods, then hesitates for a second. I open my mouth to ask what’s going on when he pulls me into a hug. Something warm and happy unfurls in my chest at the gesture, and I hug him back without thought.
When he pulls back, he’s grinning. “Have a good night and have fun with Austin.”
“You’re a menace.”
Taking off his robe, he shoots me a smile. “You love me.”
