Page 64 of Bone’s Choice

Crystal had been at Bing’s for almost three years. She was blond, sarcastic, and somehow managed to look put together even after running around the bar for six hours. Kori had dark red hair, a loud laugh, and the ability to make friends with pretty much anyone who sat in her section.

Then there was me. The new girl from Ohio. Except I didn’t really feel like the new girl anymore.

Not with them.

The first night had been slow enough that Crystal and Kori had shown me everything without us getting slammed. The second and third nights had picked up a little, but nothing I couldn’t handle.

Tonight? Different story.

I glanced at the clock. Eight fifty-three.

Bing’s was packed.

Apparently, Friday night in Marshfield meant everybody and their brother descended on the same bar.

Almost every stool along the long bar was taken. The pool tables were surrounded by people waiting to play. Music blasted from the jukebox, and the small dance floor on the other side of the room was full.

Every table in my section was occupied except two.

And I was pretty sure those weren’t going to stay empty long.

I grabbed a tray from beneath the counter. “CL, I need two Bud Lights, a Miller Lite, one whiskey Coke, and a vodka cranberry.”

CL didn’t look up from the drink he was making. “Ticket in?”

“Just sent it.”

“Then stop talking to me.”

I gasped. “Rude.”

“Busy,” he corrected.

“I thought bartenders were supposed to be friendly.”

“Not this one.”

Kori slid past me. “He loves you.”

CL pointed at her without looking. “You too, shut it.”

“See?” Kori grinned. “Love.”

I laughed and headed toward my tables.

I dropped a check at one table, grabbed two empty bottles from another, and was halfway back toward the bar when the front doors opened.

I didn’t pay attention at first.

People had been coming in steadily all night.

Then I heard Kori. “Oh, hell yes.”

I stopped.

She was standing beside me with a tray balanced against her hip, staring toward the entrance.

“What?”