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“One last thing For real this tiuys have for updates or improvements You know this place far better than I do, and I’e And IMy door and my ears are always open”
Well that last part was straight out of a Hallmark movie, but her declaration was met with happy faces and nods, so at least they didn’t seem to mind her cheesiness
After thethe diner to open Ernesto ca his way to the kitchen “Proud of you, chica,” he said, using the nicknaht “You’ve really stepped up to the plate here”
Toni shrugged “Not sure if they’d be so proud of me”
“Eh, I worked with them for over twenty years Kne they were and what they did to you They weren’t the type to wax on about being proud” He patted her shoulder “Always thought you’d be good for this place Like that you’re letting the bikers in My nephew’s in the MC They’re good guys See? You’re already rocking it, chica”
Warmth flooded her It was nice to have a connection to the past A person as able to see beyond the dumb kid she’d been and to the responsible adult she’d beco to mask the lump in her throat
At exactly seven ary townspeople piled in and filled almost every empty seat
Time flew faster than Toni could ever reging between tables and behind the counter to keep up with the de, filling, and refilling both black and a few fancier coffees The task turned out to be perfect, because she was able to visit each table and chat with customers People of the co Many remembered her from her youth, but quite a fe faces were co, she felt like she’d never left, either the town or the diner
Ernesto was never without a spatula in hand; flipping pancakes, scra his hips to music while he worked At one point, he pulled Toni aside and asked if he could run sorown so busy, neither had any ti at one
About forty-five minutes before close, it happened Two bikers strolled in Each wore a Hell’s Handlers cut and a healthy layer of badassery A woht in with their motif of leather, tattoos, and intimidation
A hush stole over the crowded diner, but it didn’t last for entleiant bite of Ernesto’s faashter ensued and chatter resuain