Page 1 of Starfall
Chapter One
Emery got dressed andheaded back to work. She took her car and parked in her reserved spot in the lot. The diner was bustling with regulars and holiday visitors. Folks who had family renting places in town all sent them to the diner.
She walked in and waved at the ladies, heading for her office. Whether she needed to work or not, she had to get payroll in. Everybody else got paid first and foremost, and then, she would take her hours. She had been getting paid regularly for the last four years. Business was good.
She headed to the till and asked Sue, “Are you guys doing okay?”
“You look like hell, and yeah, we are doing good.”
“Payroll is in. Payments should be hitting in the next six hours. I do love transfers.”
Sue smiled. “Me, too. Thanks for making sure we got paid before the holidays.”
“No problem. It’s what I wanted when I started, and it’s still what I want now.”
Sue looked at her. “You need a nap.”
“I just woke up.”
“Go back to bed. You look like hell. What happened last night?”
“A friend had a crisis, and I jumped in with both feet.”
“As is your way.” Sue winked.
“Yeah. I think today feels like a PJs and popcorn with bad movies kind of day.”
“Oh, heavy muscle coming our way. Have you pissed him off lately?”
“No.” She looked toward Rowen making his way to the sidewalk, and a blush formed on her cheeks.
Sue gasped. “Oh, wow. You have a thing for him.”
“Don’t saythingin reference to him,” Emery muttered.
She swallowed and looked up at him from her daywear shape. “So, Row. What do you know?”
“I know you need to be in bed. Why are you here?”
“Payroll.”
Understanding lit his eyes. “Ah. So, are you finished?”
“I am. Everybody’s paid. Did you come over here to get away from the sound of grunting?”
“We just had a sauna installed, and it isn’t open to the public yet. Did you want to loosen up some muscles?”
Emery saw Sue staring with fascination as she got her plates. “Yes, I do.”
He grinned. “Would you come with me then? I promise to minimize the grunting for now.”
“Um. Okay.”
Her staff was staring as she took the hand presented to her, and they walked out together. “I am never going to live this down.”
He kept her close as they crossed the street. “Sure, you are. Everyone is entitled to change their mind.”
“I am still on the fence about that.”