Chapter 4
HANA
“Hello?”
I looked up from where I was in the kitchen, bagging up today’s takings, cursing myself for not locking the door after the staff left. Hiding it in the microwave, I headed back into the diner.
“Sorry, we’re closed.”
A stunning brown-haired woman stood in the doorway. “No, don’t tell me that. I didn’t notice the time, and I’ve not eaten, and I have no food in… oh, God. I’m going to starve.”
I laughed.
“Sorry, I’m Amber, and you’re new, so you don’t know that I have zero ability to take care of myself and an even worse ability to keep an eye on the time.
I’ve only been here a few weeks myself, and Pete and I had an arrangement.
He used to keep something in the fridge to send me home with, but you didn’t know that either, so I’ll die, and those poor kids won’t get their papers marked.
They’ll never know how well they did with their crappy poetry assignments, because I will be too weak to read them. ”
I shook my head as I beckoned her inside. “You should have taught drama. That was one convincing act. Let me feed you so you don’t starve.” I knew I probably should just send her away, but there was something about the way she looked at me, wide eyed and desperate, that made me want to help.
“Really?” she cried, clapping her hands.
“Burger?”
“Perfect.”
“Fries, onion rings, and wine?”
Her eyes lit up. “It’s like you can see into my soul. Yes, yes, and yes.” I liked this woman; she was easy to be around, and her showing up tonight felt like another sign that I was meant to be in this little town.
“I’m not a chef, so no complaining if it’s not perfect. Now come and help me.”
Amber followed me into the kitchen, where we spent the next half hour chatting like we’d known each other a lifetime.
As I placed her plate on the counter, she let out a loud groan.
“You have to let me repay you. Come clubbing with me Saturday night?” She narrowed her eyes and shook her head with a soft laugh.
“God, is that weird? I know we just met, but it’s the end of term, and I need a good night out, and you coming to town is the perfect excuse to get out there. ”
I grimaced, not being able to think of anything worse, and wondering if I should agree to spend time with someone who was, until today, a stranger. “I’m not one for clubbing.”
She bit into her burger, mumbling about how good it tasted before she swallowed and said, “We have one club, no decent men, shit cocktails, but it has the best music. Please. Let me introduce you to small town life since you’re used to city living. I know how hard it is to fit into a new place.”
I tossed a fry into my mouth as I thought about getting to know people, and then I thought about one person in particular who might be out. My giant mystery man from last night, who I’d not been able to stop thinking about.
“Fine. I’ll come.”
Amber smiled while devouring her dinner, and I couldn’t help feeling like I’d made a friend.
“Jesus, woman. You look stunning… I mean, wow.” Amber stood in the doorway of her townhouse, looking me up and down, taking in the black glitter-ruched mini skirt that I’d matched with a black T-shirt, silver chunky bracelets, and matching heels and clutch.
I’d tied up my long hair and added my loudest red lipstick.
“Not too much?” I’d spent forever trying to work out what to wear.
“I mean, the men of this town may have to pick their tongues off the floor, but no, it’s not too much.”
I held out a bottle of vodka. “Are you going to let me in then?”
Flicking her now wavy hair over her shoulder, she stepped to the side and let me in. “Let’s get this party started.”
Thirty minutes and way too many shots later, we were walking through town to the club.
“You said you’re new to town too, right?” I asked as the icy chill of the night seeped into my bones.
“Yeah, but I moved from one small town to another, so I was ready for all this.” She waved her arm, indicating the tiny high street.
“The job at the school came up, and I couldn’t say no.
What brought you to town? I mean, it’s not normally the type of place people dream of moving to once they’ve lived in the city. ”
I laughed, the vodka loosening my tongue.
“It was weird. The place I worked was closed down—we had more rats than customers—then, my apartment building was condemned. I thought the universe had something against me, but then I saw an advert for the diner. I’d been saving for years…
my brother left me a bit of money, and well, it seemed too good to turn down. ”
Amber leaned her head on my shoulder, linking her arm with mine. “Well, I’m glad because now I’ve got a new bestie… wait, did you say your brother left you money? As in, he died?” She sounded shocked.
I let out a sigh. “Yeah. It’s fine. It was a long time ago now.”
Her head lifted, and her eyes locked on mine as we slowed our pace. “I’m sorry, Hana. Do you have any other family?”
I shook my head, not letting my thoughts veer to my past or the people I once called family. “It was just him and me.” I inwardly winced at my outright lie.
“Shit. You wanna talk about it?” she asked tentatively.
“Not tonight. Tonight I want to drink too much and dance. Is that okay?”
She nodded as she gave my bicep a squeeze. “That sounds perfect, but I’m here to listen whenever you want to tell me about him.”
We danced for hours to cheesy pop songs I’d not heard in years, stopping only to down more shots until we were sweaty and drunk. Amber was right: we had lots of interest from the men in the room, but we politely turned our backs and ignored them.
It was only when a tall, wide man approached Amber that she suddenly paid attention. While the other people who’d tried to chat with us tonight screamed drunk locals, this man oozed protection.
“Hey,” he yelled above the music, his focus honed in on Amber. “Can I buy you a drink?”
Her eyes widened as she took him in, biting down on her bottom lip before nodding. He pointed to the bar, and she grabbed my hand, dragging me behind her.
She gave the server our drink order and then turned her attention back to the man, who tucked a loose lock of hair that had fallen free from his manbun behind his ear as his gaze locked on her.
“I’m Amber.”
“Jarrid.”
She giggled. “I know who you are. Doesn’t everyone in town?”
He tilted his head, his tone dropping when he said, “Yet, you’ve never spoken to me before now?”
Sexual chemistry bounced between them like a flame-covered tennis ball. “I didn’t think someone like you would want to talk to someone like me,” she said as she looked up at him from beneath her lashes.
“I can’t think of anyone I’d want to talk to more.”
I lifted one of the shot glasses that the barman had placed down and necked it, suddenly feeling like a third wheel.
“Hey, Jarrid, can I trust you to get my girl home safely?”
He looked at me like it was the most ridiculous question ever. “Of course you can. Scout’s honour.”
“Where the hell are you going?” Amber asked, panic creasing her features.
“Home. I’ve drunk far too much, I’m knackered, and you seem to have met… him.”
She fanned her face, her eyes widening in a knowing look. “But it’s our first night out together. We’re meant to be bonding as besties.”
“It’s fine. Honestly, I’m exhausted and ready for my own bed.”
She turned to Jarrid. “Hana’s new to town, just like me. I’ve adopted her as my BFF. If you murder me, she’ll hunt you down and kill you with her bare hands.”
He chuckled, holding out his hand. “Give me your phone.”
I pulled it out of my clutch and unlocked it. He typed in his number and then pressed call, showing me his phone ringing, so I knew he had given me the right number. “You know Lanton House?”
I shook my head.
“The massive black building down the road,” Amber added. “You can’t miss the eyesore.”
“Well, that’s where I work, so you know where to find me if you need to, but I promise, I’ll protect Amber with my life.” I had no idea why, but I trusted his promise. “How are you getting home?” he asked. “We can walk you.”
“I’m going to the bathroom, and then I’ll get a cab.”
Amber frowned. “You sure?”
“I promise, I’m fine, but I’ll text you when I’m home, and, same goes for you. I want to know when you’re back, or I’ll be looking for you.”
She threw her arms around me, pressing a kiss to my cheek. “I’m so glad you moved here.”
I laughed, stepping out of her hold. “Have fun, kids, but not too much.”