Chapter 3

“You okay?” Heather asked.

“Yeah. I’m cool.”

“Good. Get your shit together and take the booths. Jen doesn’t get here until nine, and Neil’s swell at making the drinks, but he scares the customers.”

“It’s the metal in the skin,” Jeffrey said, heading for the supply room that doubled as the employees’ locker room. “They’re afraid the silverware’ll fly up and stick to his face.”

Heather barked laughter and got back to work, and Jeffrey went to hang up his bag and shuck his hoodie. He checked for the missing sketchbook and came up empty-handed. Sighing and telling himself he needed the shift to cover rent, Jeffrey left to check the computer and order statuses.

“Jeffrey,” Clark said, catching him before he got to the monitor station. “Might I have a word?”

“I swear I’ll order the supplies tonight,” Jeffrey said hastily, following Clark to the bar.

Neil ducked into the kitchen, Heather bustled by with a tray of steaming Philly cheesesteak, and Clark wandered to his usual post.