Free Blur by Kristen Middleton Page A

another boat. Not only was he cute, but he believed me, without question. So far, he was the only real good thing I’d encountered in Shore Lake.

Chapter Ten
     

    Three hours later, I sat across from Rosie, who’d inherited Ruth’s diner from her mother several years back. As she looked over my job application, I studied the rail-thin, bleach-blond woman and gathered she was somewhere in her sixties because of her weathered skin. She did have a cigarette resting behind her ear, so she could have actually been younger.
    “You’re new in town?” she asked in a gravelly voice.
    “Yes, we just moved here a couple of days ago.”
    “Have you ever waitressed before?”
    I sighed. “No. I worked at a boutique, though, so I’ve used a register before and have experience with customers.”
    She nodded. “You’ll be on your feet a lot. Do you have any problems with that?”
    I shook my head.
    “Are you available to work nights?”
    I bit the side of my lip. “I’d prefer days, if that’s possible.”
    She studied me. “To be honest, I really need the help at night. I don’t expect you to work past midnight, but my second shift is really hurting right now. I’m even willing to pay you an extra dollar an hour.”
    I sighed. “That’s fine. Is there a chance that I can switch to days in the future? When school starts, my mom won’t want me working past ten.”
    She nodded. “We won’t make you work past nine during the week, but we’d need you until midnight on Friday or Saturday. Would that be an issue for you?”
    “No,” I answered.
    She asked me a few more questions then hired me on the spot.
    “Wow, that was fast,” I blurted out.
    She smiled. “We need the help, desperately. Can you start tomorrow?”
    I nodded. “That shouldn’t be a problem.”
    “You’ll be training with Susan. So, we’ll see you around four, tomorrow afternoon?”
    I agreed and then she found me a uniform, which wasn’t easy with my short frame. When it was all said and done, I left the diner so giddy that I wanted to scream.
    “Let me guess, they hated you,” smiled Nathan as I got into his Mustang. He’d been listening to the stereo and waiting for me in the parking lot.
    I held up my hand. “I start tomorrow.”
    He slapped it. “Good job. I also have awesome news; Sonny called my cell phone and I start next Monday. Pending a drug test. I’m sure Duncan had everything to do with it, but I’m not complaining.”
    “That’s great!” I said and then swore. “So, how are we going to work this out? I need a ride to and from work until I’m able to get a car. They want me working second shift.”
    “If I’m at the marina, I’ll try and work something out with Sonny. Maybe I can take my lunch break and pick you up at the cabin? I’m sure he’ll be cool with that. It’ll just be for a little while, anyway.”
    I smiled. “Thanks. I know it isn’t easy driving me around everywhere.”
    “Yeah, you’re kind of a pain in the ass,” he smirked.
    I smacked him in the shoulder again. “You are an ass so I guess it kind of makes sense.”
    He rubbed his arm. “I must have a permanent bruise there from you beating up on me all the time. Show your brother some love,” he pouted.
    “Shut your yap and you won’t get hurt.”
    “Ho, ho… big words from such a little twerp,” he said.
    I raised my fist again. “You don’t listen very well, do you?”
    He snorted and shook his head. “You’re so violent.”
    I smiled. “Just remember that.”
    “So, let’s head over to the marina and check out the surveillance equipment,” he said.
    “Okay.”
    Nathan gave me a sideways glance. “Although I’m sure Duncan will be monitoring someone else.”
    “What?”
    Nathan smiled. “Oh, come on. You know he has the hots for you.”
    “Whatever,” I said, looking out the window.
    “He does, but that’s okay because he seems like a decent guy. I think you should go for it.”
    I snorted. “Go for it? Look,