Page 45 of I Knead You Tonight

Simon’s standing behind the counter when I make it to Slice with just a minute to spare before my clock-in time.

“You’re late.”

“I still have one minute!” I insist.

“Please don’t tell me Winston’s rubbing off on you.”

“Ew, Dad. Don’t talk about Winston rubbinganythingoff.”

Simon shakes his head at his daughter as she slides up to the counter. “Where did I go wrong with you?”

“Wrong…or right?” she teases.

“Anything open in the kitchen today?” I ask Simon before he takes off.

“Depends. Do you wanna make tips or wash dishes?”

I wrinkle my nose. “Tips sound good.”

“That’s what I thought.” He laughs, tossing a dishrag over his shoulder. “By the way, now you’re late.”

“Shit!” I race to the computer and punch myself in.

“Shame my big brother is such a bad influence on you.” Wren frowns. “I thought you were better than that.”

“Shut it, Birdie.”

“Hey! You can’t call me that.”

“I’ll do as I please.” I wrap my apron around my waist, expertly tying it behind my back. “What are you doing here anyway? I thought last week was your final shift.”

“Dad needed an extra hand after Winston called in.”

“He called in?”

“Did he not say anything to you?”

I shake my head. “No. He was gone when I rolled over this morning. He—”

I realize what I’ve said too late.

Wren’s brows are nearing her hairline and her lips are curved into a wide grin. “Well, well, well. What an interesting tidbit.”

“It’s not what it sounds like,” I tell her. “I promise.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Do I look freshly fucked?”

She barks out a laugh. “No, I guess not. But that doesn’t meansomethingdidn’t go down. You know…like you.”

I throw a coaster at her. “Gross. Nothing happened.”

“Uh-huh. Sure. Whatever you say.”

“Anyway,” I say loudly, “did Simon say why Winston called in?”

Wren shakes her head. “Nope.”

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