I slept deeply that day, and when the alarm woke me, I was ready to face the night shift.
Upon arrival at the diner, I greeted Hortencia and went to the back to clock in and prepare to take over from her for the evening.
On her way out, she stopped at the counter just as I finished chatting up one of the regulars, Mrs. Hastings. “So, I heard that some hunk stopped by some nights ago? A real looker, according to Shirley.” She grinned and hugged the waitress who’d stopped by, her tray empty. I glared at them both.
Shirley smiled and nodded. “I’m telling you, Hortencia, he was gorgeous, and only had eyes for our Deke. That Mr. Merrill who stops in twice a week around midnight? He’s always had his eye on you, Deke, but you never notice. When he saw the way that guy was so obviously into you
