“The daily special,” I say because I really would recommend it. Every time I’ve carried a fried shrimp burger out of the kitchen tonight, I have wanted one.
“Perfect. Then the daily special, but to-go, and a glass of water, please.”
“Coming right up,” I tell him, walking away while letting out a long breath.
At least to-go means he’ll leave soon.
Shortly after, I bring him his order and continue serving the remaining customers while ignoring him. Or at least I try to.Because he doesn’t leave.
As the evening winds down and the rest of the customers leave, I decide it’s time to kick him out. “We’re closing up now. You should head out,” I tell North, approaching his table.
He looks at me for a moment, his expression unreadable, and nods. “Sure,” he replies and rises from his seat.
Tally and Mac are finishing their work and share a knowing look. They’ve been keeping a close eye on me since he walked in.
As North walks toward the exit, I follow him to make sure he leaves, still not getting why he was here in the first place. The door shuts behind him, and I lock it before we finish closing.
“Tim just pulled up. Want a lift home, Mac?” Tally asks as we all put on our jackets.
“Sure, thanks,” Mac mutters, and we pile out the door while Tally switches off the lights and closes the door. Tim’s red Ford is waiting just in front of us in the pouring rain.
“Night, Tarzan,” Tim yells out of the open car door when they climb in, and I smile and wave as they drive off.
The parking lot outside is almost void of light because the street lamps don’t quite reach it, and it’s even darker than usual with the rain. It smells like ocean and rain mixed, like fall, with some puddles reflecting the little light.
I can’t help but feel uneasy. Thoughts about what could be lurking in the darkness start creeping in.
Stop that shit right now, Sloan.
I traveled a whole fucking country on my own with hundreds of dark parking lots. Why start to be afraid now? I know why, but I push it far away from me.
Still standing under the restaurant's overhang, I contemplate running to the van when a dark silhouette steps up next to me, making me jump out of my skin.
“Blue, it’s me,” North reassures, stepping out of the shadows with a big black umbrella. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
I take a deep breath to calm my racing heart. “What are you still doing here?”
God, I almost pissed myself.
“I wanted to walk you to your van,” he explains.
“But I kicked you out at least fifteen minutes ago,” I protest.
“It’s raining.” He shrugs and lifts the umbrella a little, an invitation to step under it with him.
I hesitantly step toward him, and he puts the hand that isn’t holding the umbrella and take-out bag on the small of my back, gently nudging me to a walk.
After the very short walk to the van, he keeps the umbrella over us while I unlock the door and slide it open. When I turn to look at him, he hands me the bag of food.
“What? Why? That’s your food,” I protest, surprised.
“I got it for you,” he replies. “Hunter was… occupied today and couldn’t bring you something, and I’m sure you didn’t eat.”
Busted.
I want to refuse, but my stomach rumbles, reminding me that Iamindeed hungry. So, I take it with a quiet thank you. He nods and steps back when I climb into the van.
“Night,” he says softly.
