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I wave at Fred as I head back to the stockroo from a slipped disk when I started, and Harlow basically threatened to hang his balls fro heavier than a bottle of Bo to know Harlow, but I’ve learned enough to know that she’s 1) nosy, 2) really nosy when she cares about someone, and 3) in possession of one hell of a temper I’ll carry as many boxes from the storeroom as it takes to never experience that teet back to the bar--arreetthe cardboard box off my hands

"Thanks," I say, and shake out my arms "That one was heavier than it looked"

"Howback overthe tape open to check the contents inside

"Shohere they are and I’ll help you I helpedto her Iin manual labor"

"No, I can--" I start to say, but he’s already shaking his head

"I’ because of soirl and I think you can’t do it alone--I think we both know you can probably do whatever the hell you want," he says with a wink "I’ because the sooner you’re done, the sooner I can noring the way his wordsfor hi on back there No being a friend Just to clarify"

"I know, I know," Luke says, rounding the bar and offering Fred the requisite Man Nod as we pass I don’t aze flickers toaround the corner and down the hall

It’s so much quieter back here, away frolasses, or shouts aimed at the TVs

Luke peeks inside Fred’s office, and then stops just outside our tiny break rooerator and a microwave, and sometimes after work I fall asleep in the worn leather chair in the corner

"Glaht his eye

He looks around and shrugs "I like it," he says "The break rooonomic chairs and three different espressoin there"

I laugh as I continue on into the storeroo around for aout for

"Hey, can I ask you a question?" he says

I check ht label "Sure"

"This is really none of my business, but how do you know Mia?"

I look up at him, surprised "Mia? She’s best friends with , he asks, "You live with Lola?"

"Yeah, ere always in the art buildings at the sa out much outside of school, but shemy favorite hurin, before helping h on the shelf

Imy list Luke is sweet, definitely attentive, and a total fucking flirt

Danger

"No problem," he says "So Mia is uess IHow do you know them?" I ask