“Come on.”
She followed Connie up to a small landing. Connie unlocked the door and pushed it open.
The apartment was small but charming, full of natural light. “Two bedrooms, one bath with a clawfoot tub,” Connie said, folding her hands. “It’s been used a lot over the years. Good bones.”
Aftyn looked around and loved it immediately, which meant she probably couldn’t afford it.
“It’s wonderful, but—”
“But?” Connie tilted her head.
“I don’t have any money yet. And even once I start working, I’m not sure I can afford it.”
“You can’t afford free?”
Aftyn stared at her. “Free?”
“I never charge rent on this place. It gives Owen and me peace of mind knowing someone is here looking after it. I’m not asking you to watch over the diner, but if something happened you’d be right here to call us.”
“But... free?”
“Yes.” Connie smiled. “I can take you to get your things after the lunch crowd clears out.”
Aftyn looked around the apartment again. “Does the furniture stay?”
“Unless you’d rather we remove it.”
“No, please leave it. I couldn’t buy any even if I wanted to.” She sighed.
“Hon, we all go through hard times one way or another. No shame in it.”
As if on cue, Aftyn’s stomach growled. Connie’s expression shifted.
“When did you last eat?”
Aftyn shrugged. “Yesterday, maybe.”
“Right. Come on, let’s get you fed.” Connie headed for the door. “I’ll put it on Cole’s tab. How do you know him?”
“My car broke down close to his property. He helped me.”
Connie smiled. “Of course he did. He’s a good man.”
“He offered to let me stay with him, but he’d already done so much.”
“Doesn’t surprise me one bit.” She paused at the door. “You can start Monday. We open at five for the breakfast crowd.”
“Yes, ma’am. Thank you, Connie. For all of it.”
“It’ll get better, hon. It might not feel that way right now, but it will. Maybe you were meant to end up in Clifton.”
Aftyn looked around the apartment one last time. “You mentioned it’s been used before. How long has that been going on?”
“Oh, a few years now. It started with my niece Deidra when she came for Christmas to visit her youngest sister Lanie, who had moved here becauseof a broken heart. Then their middle sister Rissa stayed here. Then Sloane, their cousin. Kenzie lived here for a while too, and Courtney.” Connie counted on her fingers. “Quite a few, really. Lanie’s the only one who didn’t stay up here.”
“I’d love to have it. I promise I’ll take good care of it.”
“I know you will.” Connie nodded toward the door. “Take a look around, then we’ll head back down.”
