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He seehthearted sigh “Only after you answer ot a date to Hoht?”

His unexpected question hits ” I can’t ‘Tanner’ hiie’s Gotta make money”

“Bummer Just proive him a nod, then make my way for the door “And I’!”

His words and our strange conversation linger in h the rest of what remains of seventh period And when I’ht after, I can’t help but fret over what Coach Strongto do?

What has he already done …?

I’ie’s, where we repurposed the restaurant with candles andcouples stopping here for a bite before or after the dance—and also to compete with the fancy, distant restaurant of Nadine’s Twice Mrs Tucker asks me what’s on my mind, and twice I paste on a smile and tell her I’m fine And I’d say she’s at least halfway convinced, if it wasn’t for the sassy look she keeps giving me each time I rush back to the kitchen to deliver an order, or take one out

When 11:15 rolls around, Vann coot iot I work late tonight because of the whole—well, all this” I gesture at the busy place, post-dance

“There’s nowhere to sit,” Vann realizes “I guess I’ll just circle the block a few times, or—”

“I ht be here ‘til one”

“Oh” He fidgets, pocketing his keys and frowning

“I’ll understand if you don’t want to hang around But if you do, maybe you could, like … just sit back in the office? Behind the kitchen? I’m sure Mrs Tucker wouldn’t mind at all She knows you’re my ride”

Vann givescoupled with a, “Sure,” then follows h the kitchen, where he claims an empty overturned tub for a seat in the back, then pulls out his phone and busies himself His happy moment of peace only lasts five minutes before Mrs Tucker is upon him “Y’know you aren’t allowed back here since you aren’t an employee, but don’t you see how busy we are out there? Y’knohat, I think you could be put to soood use Mick,” she calls out at the sink where he’s working, “get out on the floor and improve your social skills!” Mick stares at her, wide-eyed “S-Social skills?” he asks before she goes shooing him out of the kitchen like a confused fly Then she smirks at Vann “Y’knoash dishes, don’t you?” She nods toward the sink expectantly “And don’t forget your apron!” she clips before ives me a bewildered look, slips the apron on, and strolls up to the sink

A whole hour or so later, I’ put to work here and there in the kitchen I figured by now he’d have stormed out the back door and thrown his hands Instead, he’s scrubbing at a stubborn stain on a pot when I come by “You don’t have to do this,” I whisper to him “She just likes bossin’ around now and then I can take over in a sec” Vann just shrugs at me, says, “It’s not that bad I’m bored anyway” I snort, then warn hiht find himself on the payroll He just s” And I’m left to wonder what he le not to ie closet or pantry for some private kissy-kissy time

Actually, it et fired in a blink

Right around 1:05 AM when the place is finally dying down and just our last two tables are lingering, the kitchen door swings open and in walks Billy Tucker-Strong hiuy, full of youth, boyishly messy hair, but with a sharp look in his eyes, like he’s always puzzling so out that’s very cohten up and he grins “Toby,” he greets ive a tired wave back He then spots Vann at the sink, which confuses him for a second before his mother stops him by the office “Why, Junior, what’re you doin’ here?” He leans in, hs “Come in, let’s … Lord help us … let’s talk” The two disappear into the office, the door left open a crack