“Sure.” He gave my elbow a quick squeeze before he left.
I headed back to the counter, which was filled with new customers. Most of them were younger, and I realized that school closing early had a lot to do with the sudden rush. I guess no one else ate the school’s meatloaf either.
Most of the students didn’t even look at me. To them, I was just another employee to wait on them. I filled soda after soda and put in six more burger orders. I wiped a spot clean at the end of the counter and pocketed my one-dollar tip. Immediately, the seat filled up again.
“Seriously?” I mumbled.
“Is this seat taken?”
I looked up to see the girl from yesterday. The one who’d caught me freaking out in the bathroom after I’d seen a glimpse of what Herman’s future would’ve been if…
“Huh? Oh, no. Have a seat.”
She raised an eyebrow at me. She was already sitting.
“What can I get you to drink?” I placed a menu in front of her.
“Coffee.”
“Black, right?”
“Only way to drink it.”
I poured her some coffee and set it in front of her. “I’ll be back to take your order in a minute. I have to go check on another table.”
“I’m not eating.”
“Oh, okay.” Great. She was taking up counter space and not ordering a meal. More tips down the drain.
I rushed around and, in another hour, things calmed down. Ethan stayed in the kitchen. Last time I got an order, he said he was having a blast with Jackson. Gloria said he could continue working in the kitchen and just help with cleanup at the end of the night. You would’ve thought she was offering him a two-week paid vacation. He was overjoyed.
I refilled the coffee girl’s cup seven times. Seven! She was a bottomless caffeine junkie.
“Can I get you anything else?” I asked, trying to drop the hint that she was abusing the free-refill policy.
“Nope.”
“Fine.” I noticed the saltshaker was empty, so I unscrewed the cap and got the big container of salt to refill it.
“What are you doing?” The girl sounded horrified, as if I was maiming a puppy right in front of her.
“My job.” I couldn’t keep the annoyance out of my voice.
“Do you have to do that where I’m sitting? You might get salt in my coffee. I paid for this, you know.”
I slammed the salt shaker down and glared at her. “No, you didn’t. You haven’t gotten your bill yet. And that cup is free, just like the six other free refills you’ve gotten.”
Gloria came out of the kitchen and gave me a look. I waved her off, letting her know I was fine. I knew this girl was a customer, and I was supposed to treat her nicely, but I was wiped, and she was getting on my nerves.
“Listen, it’s been a long day, and I’m tired. If it bothers you that much, I’ll go refill the salt at the other end of the counter.”
She glared at me for a second, and then her eyes fell on my necklace. “Where did you get that?”
I touched the necklace, feeling its warmth on my hand. I’d forgotten I was still wearing it. I’d tucked it under my shirt to keep it safe while I worked, but it must have slipped out at some point.
“I found it in my locker at school today. I don’t think it was meant for me, though.” I shrugged. “The funny thing is, it’s my birthstone, and it matches a ring my boyfriend gave me.”
“A ring?”
Why was I telling her all this? I didn’t even like her. “Never mind.” I took the salt and moved to the other end of the counter.
She got up and followed me, sitting down in the seat in front of me.
“What gives? I thought you didn’t want me refilling the salt and getting it in your coffee? I moved away from you, so why did you follow me?”
“Forget the salt.” She moved back a little. Apparently she really disliked salt. “Tell me about the necklace and the ring.”
“Why?”
“Because I like jewelry.”
I looked her over. She wasn’t wearing any jewelry. None. She was in a simple green dress, like the other day. How many green dresses did she own?
“Why aren’t you wearing any then?”
“Huh?”
“Jewelry. If you love it so much, why aren’t you wearing any?”
She looked down, avoiding my eyes. “None of it goes with green.”
That was the lamest excuse I’d ever heard. “Whatever.” I finished refilling the salt and went to check on the coffee pot.
“I’ll take another cup,” the girl said.
“Really?” I whipped my head around to look at her. “How do you not have to pee by now?”
She laughed. “I drink this much coffee all the time. I’m used to it.”
It was odd to hear her laugh, but at the same time, it was nice.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
“Why do you want to know?”
“I served you eight cups of coffee—no, make that nine.” I poured her another. “I think that deserves a name.”
“What’s yours?”
Was she always this much of a control freak? “Sam.”
“Nora.”
“Is that a family name? You don’t hear of many Noras these days.”
“Says the with girl with a guy’s name, Sam.” She emphasized my name, making it sound more masculine than I could’ve imagined.
“I was never a big fan of Samantha.”
“My grandmother’s name was Lenora Prudence.” She rolled her eyes, and I didn’t need to ask what her full name was.
I nodded, wishing she’d finish her coffee and leave. I’d had my fill of her for the day. Maybe two days.
“So, about that necklace.” She pointed to it.
“I already told you. I found it in my locker. I thought my boyfriend put it there, but he didn’t. Can I get you your check?”
“Who gave it to you then?”
“I don’t know. I don’t think it was meant for me. It was a mistake or something. Was that a yes for the check?”
“But you said it’s your birthstone, so why would you think it was a mistake?” She ignored my question again.
“Because I don’t know anyone else at school. I just moved here.” I tore her bill from my pad and slammed it on the counter.
“I’d like another cup,” Nora said.
“Don’t you think you’re taking advantage now?”
“What do you mean?”
“The people who run this place are really nice, and you’re drinking all their coffee for a measly $1.75. That’s pretty crappy.”
“Okay, I’ll tell you what. I’ll pay my bill if you take off that necklace.”
I wrinkled my brow. What a weird thing to say. “Why do you care if I’m wearing this necklace?”
“What’s the big deal? You said it wasn’t meant for you, so take it off.”
“No.” I suddenly felt very defensive.
“Fine,” she said. “I need to use the restroom.”
“Fine.” I matched her tone. “Then you can settle your bill,” I called after her.
I took her cup of coffee and dumped it into the tub of dirty dishes. I was cutting her off. I wanted her gone. I started cleaning the counter, trying to wipe away any trace of Nora and her strangeness.
After a while, she still hadn’t come out of the bathroom. I stormed in there, ready to demand she pay up and leave.
“That’s enough, Nora. You owe me money.” I flung the bathroom door open.
The bathroom was empty.
CHAPTER TEN
AFTER Nora’s little disappearing act, I was really pissed off. She hadn’t paid her bill or left me a tip. I couldn’t get her off my mind all evening. And her wanting me to take the necklace off only made me want to keep it on more. I tucked it under my pajama top and slept with it on. And for the first time since I’d come back to life, I slept soundly. No visions. No bad thoughts. Nothing. The warmth of the ruby on my skin lulled me to sleep, and I didn’t wake up until my alarm went off.