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“No,” ht that cold Giovani had last week”

I gri how one of our bartenders infected the ruesoh only after the rest of us coue

Too little too late, I guess I rub ht it too Then my eyes land on the schedule pinned to the wall besideHer shift starts at 6pht when mine is supposed to end “You should stay home,” I tell her

“Bob will kill me,” she protests, but I cut her off

“I’ll cover your shift”

Her breath hitches over the line “Are you sure?”

“I’ve got this, honey Besides, the last thing ant is you bringing A party doith the flu a day before the big bash”

She laughs, which turns into a hacking cough that es, her voice

“Stay in bed, watch so hoht when I’ the closing shift I’ve already been onThey throb at the very thought of an extra five hours of standing But what a?

I take a deep breath, wish Devan a long restful night, and hang up the phone My ar the floor on top of carrying all the trays I’ve been balancing all day All my body wants to do is beeline home and collapse face-first onto my couch

At least I’ll make a little extra cash today, I try to reason withbetter she can cover one ofThe one spa in town runs a special discount on Tuesdays

Forcing a picture of that intowillpower and reach for another rag to finish h, I lean into the sightline of the bar staff Mistake