#Chapter 78: A Little Vacation
Abby

My eyes snap open to discover that someone, in the span of what feels like five minutes, my office has

grown dark. There’s a hand on my shoulder, and an all-too-familiar face—with a smirk on it, of course—

staring down at me.

“Sleepy?” Karl asks, his lips twitching into a grin.

I shake my head and sit up, trying to regain a sense of reality. The glare of the desk lamp sca tters

across stacks of invoices and order forms, casting a dim amber glow over everything.

“No,” I lie, looking away as Karl crosses the room back to the doorway. “I was just putting my head

down for a few minutes.”

A quick glance at the clock reveals that it’s almost eight o’clock, and considering the fact that it’s a

Wednesday, the restaurant is already mostly quiet. Through my half-open office door, I can just barely

make out the faint sound of sc at tered voices and silverware on plates from the few customers who are

still hanging around, post-dinner rush.

Karl laughs and leans against the doorframe. “Sure. And what looks like drool on your cheek must just

be condensation or something, right?”

Drool? I swipe my cheek with the back of my hand and sure enough, it comes away wet. Great.

“Okay, you go me,” I mutter, smoothing down my messy hair. “This morning was hectic, and I didn’t

sleep too well last night…”

Karl shrugs. “Don’t sweat it,” he assures me. “In fact, you’ll be happy to know that after the health

inspector left, everything else went smoothly. No more food critics, no sick servers, no arguing

employees.”

I force a half-smile. So word really does travel fast; or rather, Karl is more attuned to the drama than I

thought. I never mentioned the sick servers and arguing employees to anyone, but someone must have

noticed.

sigh, rubbing my eyes. “Did

saunters in again, perching

a question for you about tomorrow’s delivery schedule, but it’s

you could use some rest

my feet in

than I really feel right now. “I’m perfectly fine,” I

wavering slightly where I’m standing.

moments, Karl gazes at me without answering.

that I haven’t seen in a very long time. And something about it makes my knees

weak. I cross the room in a feeble attempt to hide the blush that’s

the window, peering out into the dimly lit city street. It’s pouring

will close soon anyway,” Karl says

to reality. “You should go

“I’ll be fine. I’ll at least wait

I nod, and Karl sighs. “It’s supposed to

you home, okay?”

the window for another few moments at the rain, listening as it

coat h ook reveals that my umbrella is nowhere to be found, and I yawn,

nap on my desk didn’t really do much to cure my

fine,” I finally say, turning back to face Karl. He’s got an

it quickly. “Let’s

transition from the dim, cramped space of my office to Karl’s sleek, black

leather and a hint of pine air

of the windshield as we drive. I’ve always loved the city in

stormy night; it’s like something out of a

bright signs

of my job—the critics, the health

and I find myself lost in the rhythmic hum of the

looked like you were having one

a beach, a tropical drink, and a server

inspection nightmare. I

sleep.”

me with a smirk. “Well, dreams are just unpaid

could get compensation somehow.”

My subconscious is working overtime,” I reply, my words tinged with a fatigue I

front of my apartment complex—a red brick building with

door. It’s surrounded by other buildings that

when I first moved here, I almost walked

embarrassing.

the curb and turns off the engine, then looks at me, his eyes searching my

My offer still stands. Remember the pool and the hot

hot tub, and

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255