"Coming from the king of bossy, I take that as a compliment."
Another grunt.
"At least you know how to use your manners these days."
Those eyes roll upwards.
"And stop rolling your eyes, it's rude."
He looks over to me, dead on this time. "If you weren't such a fuckin' pain in the ass, I wouldn't have to be rude."
I grin at him. "I was always polite to you, Ace."
"You waved at me like a crazy person once, out of the blue, just right there in my face. I thought you were nuts. What would you have me do?"
My mouth drops open. "When someone waves to you, you wave back, even if they are nuts. And it wasn't right in your face … "
One brow cocks.
Okay, I did pretty much wave right up in his space. "I only did it because you refused to pay any attention to me. I tried over and over to say hello, or to be nice, but you just ignored me."
"Stop taking it so personally."
I huff.
"I'll get you up to scratch on your neighbor skills one of these days."
"You're here, on my couch, bitching in my ear, aren't you?"
I smirk. "Indeed I am."
"Then I'd say I'm doing fairly well. Now be quiet so I can watch television."
///
I keep the smirk, but I go quiet and turn, watching the television and feeling okay for the first time in weeks. Not better, definitely not safe, but okay. And right now, "okay" is everything.
"Okay" is just what I need to get me through.
NINETEEN
"Order up," my boss, Jayme, calls, sliding a plate across the counter at me.
I rush over and take it, trying to ignore the car sitting across the street with a police officer inside, staring right in here, watching me.
"What's the cop for?" coworker, Dani, asks as she takes the next order that's served up.
"I'm not really sure," I lie.
"He's been sitting there all night."
"Yeah."
She stares at me for a moment, her long red hair tied high on her head. I like working with Dani, she's friendly. I'm not overly close with her, but when I was going through a fitness craze, we used to go on a morning run together. She's fit, and funny, and easy to work with.
"Strange," she murmurs. "I'm about to finish up my shift and then you have crazy on."
I sigh.
The other girl who works with us, Rebecca, is a total cow. She's older, and thinks she's entitled to the world because of that. She's had a problem with me since I started here, and the few times I've been unfortunate enough to be scheduled with her, she makes my life hell. I'm not sure what it is she doesn't like about me, but she makes her feelings clear.
"Speak of the devil," Dani murmurs, leaning in close as the older blonde appears from the back room, tying an apron around her waist. "That's my cue."
"I hate you," I mouth to Dani, and she flashes me a smile before clocking out for the night.
I keep serving tables, trying to stay out of Rebecca's way when she breezes past me, shouldering me when I get too close.
"Order up," Jayme yells again, and I rush over.
Rebecca appears before I can reach the plates and slides them off the counter.
"Those plates are for my section," I say, staring at her.
"Well, those people are hungry and waiting. By the time it takes you to pick up your feet and get the plates, they're already writing a terrible review online about customer service."
"Seriously? I was walking straight over here," I say, trying to keep calm. I need this job. What I don't need is her attitude.
"Yes ‘seriously'," she snaps. "If you're not going to put your best foot forward, maybe you should look for other jobs."
"Last time I checked, Rebecca, you aren't my boss."
I take the plates from her hand and she glares at me.
"What is your problem?" I say, feeling the stress of the last few weeks bubble up.
"My problem is you. I'm constantly having to run around after you, and pick up after you, and do everything because you're not paying attention. And everyone feels sorry for you, because oh no, you lost your husband. That was years ago. Some of us have a job to do, bills to pay, and don't need to play the pity game to get ahead."
I blink at her.
She did not just say that … did she?
"I'm not using my situation to do anything. I work just as hard as you."
"No. You. Don't. You're the favored one. You think you work hard, but really, you get everything easy. Just handed to you."