We already secured the laundry connections, which were loose. Then Griffin went for the kitchen sink to fix the drip, and I headed for the door. This front door would scare the boogeyman with the noise it makes, hence the WD-40.
I finish up with my task and turn for the kitchen. “Do you think she’ll notice?”
Her house is a smaller replica of ours, minus one bathroom. She has decorated the first floor with scattered accents of violet, such as the throw pillows on the couch and the curtains on the windows. However, it’s missing photos. Not a single personal photo in sight.
“Done,” Griffin claims and slides out. “Anything else we should do?”
“I think we got it all.”
Griffin raises his brow. “Same time next week?”
“Same time next week,” I confirm.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
RAVEN
Wiping down a recently vacated table, I sigh through my nose. Lunch at The Wandering Raven isn’t nearly as busy as it is at night, but still busy, nonetheless.
I told Kat about my car troubles to let her know I wouldn’t need her to watch Noah for my shift. She insisted I use her car and wouldn’t take no for an answer. When I got here before opening, Griffin’s lips pinched together in a hard line, then he poked his head outside, scanning the parking lot. He came back inside, satisfied, and we got right to work.
Blinking away my puzzlement, I take the tub of dirty dishes to Camden in the kitchen, then return to the bar. Knox and I are the dynamic duo running the place today. I didn’t ask what Griffin is up to. I didn’t want to seem eager or clingy.
It was just a kiss. I need to calm down.
As I’m refilling Benny’s glass, I let the question slip. “Why do they go out in the front sometimes?”
“Why don’t you ask them?” Benny grumbles.
I slide the glass on the counter in front of Benny, but when he reaches for it, I slide it away. His glare might make lesserwomen shiver, but Benny’s the kind of person who projects a hard exterior. I’ve faced real evil, and Benny isn’t it.
My brow raises. I know he knows what I want.
Benny rolls his eyes and spills the beans. “They have a barn down the dirt road that leads away from the parking lot.”
“What do they do there?”
Benny doesn’t answer me. He stands, grabbing his drink out of my hand.
As Benny drops back onto his stool, three women walk in through the front door, letting in too much light. I thought I would get used to that when customers arrive, but I don’t think that day will ever come.
When my eyes finally adjust, I notice the women have taken the table I just cleaned. A shot of annoyance makes my eye twitch. It doesn’t help that these women look like fucking Karens. They each wear their hair styled to perfection. Their clothes look like they’ve been freshly dry cleaned and pressed, and their makeup looks pristine. They pretend to read the menus that we leave on the table, but their eyes wander the room. The one with bright blonde hair spots Knox as he exits the kitchen, and her eyes flare with interest.
My eyes roll as the blonde pulls on the front of her shirt, exposing more of her cleavage. She sees my annoyance and smirks.
“Hey, Knox!” she calls to him. When he makes eye contact, she bats her lashes and continues, “We’re ready to order.”
Knox doesn’t show an inkling of emotion.
Is this the type of woman he prefers? Skinny and manipulative?
I look down at myself, observing how the width of my hips is bigger than hers. I know men want me. Many have paid for access to my body. But would a man as caring and protective as Knox want me?
Instead of answering the customer, Knox turns his head to me. “Raven! Table four needs your help.”
Table four? I know for a fact they don’t have a numbering system for the tables.
Brushing off my confusion, I grab my pad of paper and a pen, then switch into waitress mode. “Hi, ladies! Thanks for coming in. What can I get for you?” My smile is fake, my tone is fake, and my welcoming attitude is fake as well.
