"A small restaurant that served all things chicken."She cleared her throat."I was a waitress and served the food."
Baddy set his reheated plate on the counter and finally looked at her.His eyes flicked to her backpack by the door, then returned to her face.
He nodded slowly, like he was piecing things together."Sonny took your checks."
"All of them."She shrugged."So, I hid most of my tips from him.I don't know if he was too stupid to realize that waitresses get tips, or if he didn't think I'd earn more than my wages.I was able to hide the money from him."
A low whistle left him."You must've been good at your job."
She stared at her plate.Her mom always told her to be extra nice and put on a smile around customers, and they'd pay well."I did what needed to be done."
He leaned back, arms crossing over his bare chest."I know a place that needs a good waitress."
Her head snapped up."Because you want me to pay you back."
He didn't deny it.Instead, he tapped her chin lightly with two fingers.
"Tuck your lip in, sweetheart," he murmured."You're giving me ideas."
Heat shot up her neck.She jerked her gaze away, pretending to focus on her food.He stood, stretched, muscles shifting, and turned toward the hallway.
"I'm going to bed," he said.
"Wait."
He paused, glancing back.
She swallowed."Did you...see Sonny?"
Baddy shook his head."He wasn't around."
Her stomach twisted."Then how did you get into the apartment?"
"I broke in."
He said it like it was nothing.Like breaking into someone's home was as casual as checking the mail.
He walked around the counter and stopped right in front of her.Close enough that she had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes.
"Finish eating," he said quietly."Then go to bed.We've got a big day tomorrow."
A big day.
Her breath lodged in her chest.She wanted to ask what he meant, what he planned, what she was supposed to do.But he was already walking away, disappearing down the hall toward his room.
Left alone, Lydia stared at her half-empty plate.Her appetite was gone, but curiosity burned hot in her veins.
After a moment, she cleaned the kitchen the way she used to at Sonny's apartment.She wiped the counter, rinsed the dishes, and loaded the dishwasher.The familiar motions loosened the tight muscles in her neck.
When everything was spotless, she grabbed her belongings by the door, turned off the lights, and padded down the hall to the spare room.
She shut the door behind her, leaned against it, and let out a long breath.
Tomorrow.
Whatever that meant, she wasn't sure she was ready.
