RILEY
Riley watched as the sun showed back up on day four of the snowstorm. It was finally over, thank God. She was due for the diner in only a couple of hours and while there was a ton of snow on the ground, it wasn’t actively snowing anymore.
She ignored the small ache from her fall a few days before and ate a quick breakfast, consisting of… ramen! She was getting tired of that shit. It was her main food group in the last five years of her life.
She showered slowly, using her strawberry shampoo and conditioner. It was her favorite smell followed by her peppermint body wash. A weird combination for some, but she loved it. She blow dried her long wavy hair and then smiled as she pulled it back into the standard work ponytail. She had gorgeous hair and it was cooperative. She didn’t do much for makeup, since she was going eight hours at the diner today. Finally, the uniform. Fairly standard for a waitress but Starry Night was special in some ways. It was a deep navy dress with a white star pattern on the bottom and the name badges were stars. It was paired with a black half-apron to hold pens and notepads that had gold accents. It was cute and pushed the theme of the restaurant, Vincent van Gogh’s A Starry Night.
Ready, she realized she had only forty-five minutes to get to work. She grabbed her phone and purse, checked for her wallet and ran out. She locked the door and waved at her weird neighbor, Craig (the guy she bought the couch and TV from) and ran. The diner was normally a thirty minute walk but she had to get through the snow, so it would take a little longer.
She walked as quickly as possible, happy for the black tennis shoes she was wearing. Last winter, she’d decided to keep a pair of black flats in her locker in the dinner so she could travel in normal shoes. Reason? Four feet of snow and flats didn’t mix. Her first winter in Wild Junction was a mild one, where the town never got more then a foot of snow. She had thought it was crazy to call that mild but then she lived through an average winter and realized what they meant. Twice she had to walk to work in four feet of snow in flats. Once she had to call in since the snow had been too deep for her to make it safely to the diner on the other side of town.
She needed a car but at least the walking kept her in shape.
A honk caught her attention and she grinned at the old red truck pulling up her.
“You need a ride, hot stuff?” A red head bombshell was grinning in the driver’s seat. Her blue eyes twinkled and she was licking her lips seductively.
“I don’t know…” Riley laughed before squealing and jumping into the truck. “Haley, this is hot! When did you get it?”
“Last week! During my vacation, I realized it was time for an upgrade from the beater I was driving. Jeff even put chains on the tires!” Haley laughed. “Plus, it’s an automatic. I was tired of driving a manual, if you’ll believe it.”
Riley laughed. Haley had been her best friend since her first day at the diner, only a week after she moved to Wild Junction. Haley grew up in the small town and was married to high school sweetheart, Jeff. He was okay guy who worked at the mechanics near the diner. They were happy and loving and sometimes it made Riley a little sick. But she loved Haley, so she kept that last part to herself.
“Well, I love it. And thanks for the ride,” Riley looked Haley over and cocked an eyebrow at her. “I didn’t know you were on the schedule today!”
“Yeah, there’s a big announcement today, so we’re all coming in to hear it. We’re even opening late so we can have a big meeting. You didn’t know?” Haley looked at her incredulously.
“I think I missed that bit of news but since I was already on schedule, it might not have been mentioned to me.” Riley waved a hand dismissively. “Must be something big if we’re opening late though.”
“Yeah, something to do with Ruth’s retirement. She’s been wanting to since before you got here but hasn’t found a way to make it happen. I’m hoping it’s good news.” Haley sighed heavily. Ruth was the owner of Starry Night Diner and built it up in her own image decades ago. Now at seventy-five, she was due a solid retirement even if the community was sad to hear it. They all had been looking for ways for her to go and have an easy retirement but never could figure something out. No one wanted her working in the diner until the day she died with no family to pick up the reins.
They pulled into the parking lot and waved to the other waitresses showing up. There were ten of them in total and Riley only really liked two of them. Haley and Phoebe, both roughly her age, early twenties. The rest were catty and could be rude to those they didn’t like. A couple of the older women didn’t like anyone under thirty and the teenagers were teenagers. Enough said in Riley’s opinion.
They hopped out of the truck and waved to the three cooks coming in. And that was it. All thirteen people who worked at the diner, the hottest eating spot in Wild Junction.
Haley held the door for her and they all piled into the main sitting area. On a busy night, they could have fifty to seventy five people but normally the diner never had more then ten or twenty regulars who always ate there. It looked empty with only the employees.
Starry Night Diner, where everything was black leather, navy blue tiling and gold accents. It was gorgeous and the most well taken care of diner Riley had ever seen. Every time she walked in, she thought about how she wanted to model a kitchen after it one day. Something retro just like it. On the back wall was a mural of The Starry Night painting. It was a unique and lovely place and she worked there.
Riley ran to change her shoes and officially clock in with everyone else as they got ready for the meeting.
Ruth was standing with a young looking man behind the main counter that displayed the pies and cakes they had on offer. Riley took a moment to check him out. He was tall, roughly six foot even with long reddish brown hair pulled into a bun. Strands of it fell carelessly around his face, framing a ruggedly handsome look. He had a groomed beard that made it heard to guess his age and he was built like a sexy lumberjack. It was even finished off by the navy plaid shirt he buttoned over a white shirt and dark blue jeans. In Riley’s most honest opinion, she didn’t know who was hotter, him or that Troy Walker she’d met only a few days before.
Everyone was staring at him and whispering. Haley grabbed her arm as Phoebe gasped.
“That’s-” Haley started, looking a little weird.
“Everyone, please take a seat!” Ruth called out. “Today we’ve got something big to tell you!” Everyone hustled into seats and stayed quiet at that. Not a single person in the room was shocked by this man so Riley realized they all knew more about him then she did.
“If you don’t know, I’ve been hoping for retirement for several years now! And Starting today, I shall be retired!” Ruth announced making everyone in the room cheer for her. “But, that means I’m no longer your boss or even the owner of Starry Night Diner.”
Everyone was silent. No longer then owner? Riley let her jaw drop a little as she looked at Ruth. She’d always owned this diner, everyone in town knew it.
“I’ve decided to sell it to our very own, Mister Andrew Hicks!” She gestured to the man, who was now smiling. At Riley? That wasn’t okay. “Now he’s going to say a few words to you and I hope this meeting can answer any questions you might have!”
“Good morning everyone.” Riley nearly creamed at the sound of his voice. A softness to it made her want to whimper. It was deep, lovely and soft. Kind. Velvet. Riley loved voices and how people sounded in general. Someone’s tone told a lot about a person. Every time she heard a new one, she analyzed it. What did this person’s voice possibly tell her? How would it change the encounter? All very important to Riley.
“As of last Friday, I’m the new owner of Starry Night Diner. Now, I grew up here in Wild Junction until I was eighteen and I know how important this place is for our community. After ten years, it’s good to be back. Ruth was trying to retire when I left and it was her who taught me how to love the kitchen and cooking. So I offered her a deal. I bought her out for enough that she could live comfortably in retirement and I kept the entire diner the way it should be. Exactly as it is.” He chuckled and looked around at all of them. “I’m excited for us to continue the wonderful tradition of Starry Night Diner being our little piece of heaven for the coming decades and I hope you’re excited to have me here.”
Fuck, Riley thought. That was too much in one statement. He grew up here, which explained why everyone looked like they knew who he was already except her. He bought out Ruth and was now their boss. Oh, she would have to work for the new hottie. Not good.
“Also, I will be here as a chef for three days a week, upgrading and trying new specials and seeing what our wonderful locals love now. Nothing extreme, of course. A couple new varieties of pies and sandwiches, that’s all,” he laughed at himself for that. Riley knew changing the menu at a place like Starry Night was a risk, so it was good he wasn’t trying to rework the entire menu. “I just like puttering around in the kitchen and want to try new things. I hope none of you mind me.”
Riley watched as Ruth and Andrew looked to each other. Ruth seemed to be encouraging him to do something. Finally, he sighed and nodded to her, smiling indulgently.
“You will also be receiving pay raises,” he grinned now at them. Phones were dropped onto tables, some people sputtered. “We’re starting with two dollars more an hour for those who already get over real minimum wage. Waitresses will now get full hourly of pay as well instead of the obscenely low ‘tipped minimum wage’. I’m thinking by the end of the first couple years, you’ll all be at fifteen dollars an hour or more since I know minimum wage just isn’t enough in this day and age. The pay increases start today, right when you clocked in for this meeting. Those who get tips will still get to keep their tips as well.”
Holy shit, Riley looked to Haley and Phoebe. They were going to get an extra four dollars an hour. It nearly doubled their hourly pay. Not including tips! Riley placed a hand on her chest, feeling it pound in excitement. She wanted to scream and dance and cheer.
“That’s all I really have to say,” Andrew smiled back to Ruth, who had tears in her eyes.
“Oh, you were always such a wonderful young man,” Ruth pulled him into a hug. “You knew how bad I wanted everyone here to earn more and you just did it! Thank you so much!”
“Of course,” Andrew held her for a moment and Riley saw how he had to fold down to hug the elderly woman. “The diner has always been and will always be your family, Ruth. Now go home and retire!” He laughed, pointing to the front door.
Before Ruth could leave, they were all hugging her and wishing her well. Even Riley, who had been there the shortest of all of them and was the only one not to grow up in Wild Junction. Finally, they let Ruth leave, several of the girls in tears, happy to see Ruth get some peace in her life.
“Alright, back to me everyone.” Andrew called out. He was still behind the counter, smiling. “There’s going to be a few things I’ll be doing over the next couple of days that you need to hear.”
Riley turned back to Andrew, their new boss, who was watching her. She didn’t like that. She liked to be mostly ignored by bosses. She couldn’t stop her face from heating up as she sat back down in the booth with Haley and Phoebe.
“I’ll be having meetings with each of you to go over your personnel files. Today, all previous disciplinary actions are gone. You are starting fresh with me, so if you need the second chance, then take it and shape up. Ruth never liked to fire people and neither do I but I will if I have too. I won’t counsel you on a problem more then twice. Three strikes and you’re out. End of discussion. Lots of people in Wild Junction need the work and are willing to do it, so don’t mess around.” Riley watched his chocolate eyes go hard at that, he wasn’t joking. Considering he just bought the place, Riley suspected he didn’t want the money wasted on employees who were problems. They had a couple people who wouldn’t make it if they didn’t shape up.
“Next, I’ll be opening comment boxes here in the diner. Customers will be able to write complaints and reviews to us directly since Yelp isn’t really used out here. Plus, this is instant feedback on everyone’s work. It will help us improve.” He pointed to new boxes on the walls around the diner, which had signs over them that said ‘Tell Us How We Did!’. It made Riley wanted to snicker but she kept her face down for a moment so he couldn’t see her. Under neath the boxes were trays with little notepads and pencils. Oh goodie. Instant feedback. “They have an option of putting their names and their server’s name. So waitresses, this is really important for you. Since so many of you work at the same time, it’s how we’ll track who helped what table that put in the complaint.”
Haley groaned softly, sinking back a little. Riley looked at her and then Phoebe, who’s eyes were big. The rest of the waitresses looked just as unhappy about this new development. Riley had been a waitress since high school so this wasn’t new to her but she’d been really happy when Starry Night diner didn’t have a comment box like that. Or a Yelp. Or even a Facebook page. Most of Wild Junction’s businesses were off the grid in terms of the internet. The only good thing to come of this was that the teenagers were going to have to shape up their acts. They were by far the worst on the team in Riley’s opinion. Riley didn’t like teenagers, she’d admit it. She’d not liked them since high school when she was one.
“That’s every thing for right now,” Andrew continued after looking over the entire crew. “Those you who only came in for the meeting, please get everything set up for opening while I talk to those who are on first shift today. You’ll be getting overtime pay for this hour for your help. Thank you.”
Haley jumped up with Phoebe. Only three waitresses were on the schedule for the beginning of the day, so Riley, a teen named Winter(school was a week away), and an older woman Helen were stuck at the counter, waiting to be called back. The one cook on the schedule was already heading back to prep the kitchen with the other two.
“Helen, please come in,” Andrew motioned her back to the office and Riley found herself alone with Winter.
“He’s so fucking hot,” Winter giggled, elbowing Riley. “Think he’s single?”
“He’s our boss, Winter,” Riley groaned. “We can’t date him, it’s inappropriate.”
“Fine, I’ll quit then ask him out,” Winter laughed. “You might need this job but I don’t.”
“You’re sixteen, Winter. He’s like nearly thirty. That’s very illegal.” Riley hissed. “Don’t get people arrested because you think they’re hot.”
“Alright, bitch. You’re-”
“Shut up Winter.” Riley snapped, glaring at the girl now. “It’s not cute or funny.”
They both stood in silence for ten minutes after that. Riley hated teenagers. Helen came out, smiling happily and motioned for Riley.
“You’re next,” she stepped out of the way as Riley stepped into the office. It was cleaner then it used to be and freshly painted. Ruth was always really disorganized but it looked like Andrew was not.
“Close the door, please,” he didn’t look up from the file as Riley did as she was told. “Take a seat.”
She did, looking at him wearily. He finally sighed and looked up at her. She felt the punch of attraction again. Two guys in less then week. Both incredibly gorgeous. Not okay. Or very okay, she couldn’t decide.
“Ruth was telling me about you specifically,” he started, putting down her file slowly. “You didn’t grow up here, just showed up one night in the rain, completely out of nowhere, begging for a job. She gave it to you. Care to explain? She hired you past her hiring point, but felt you were worth it. She then said you are one of the best employees here.”
Riley leaned back in the chair a little, eyeing him. He was nosy as hell. She wondered if Ruth told him she had shown up with a black eye and busted lip. That for two weeks, she limped but never told any of them why.
“I don’t care to explain,” Riley told him mildly. “It’s in the past and I will forever be thankful for Ruth giving me the work.”
Ruth had never pried, since they had all seen injuries similar to Riley’s at one point or another in life. Joey was the person who pointed her to the diner to see Ruth after he forced her to get apartment. Her car had broken down in Wild Junction and wasn’t fixable. So she became a local and never tried to leave. Ruth was like a grandmother she never had and Joey was the father who hadn’t walked out on her.
“Are you sure? I’m always here to talk about it. I don’t want you to feel like you don’t have anyone. Ruth said you only have a couple of friends even after two years and never heard about your family.” His eyes were full of concern. It was a small town thing, where everyone either wanted you to be happy or everyone wanted you to leave. In her last small town, everyone had wanted her gone so she worked very hard to leave. This town had always been the exact opposite. They wanted her to thrive and be happy. She still had a hard time with it.
“I only need Haley and Phoebe. Plus, I’m cool with Joey and his family. Then there’s Sheriff, who won’t leave me alone. And I don’t have a family. Mom’s been dead since I was six, dad left me when I was sixteen. Nothing really to say on that.” She shrugged. “I’m all about living for today. No reason to dwell.”
He nodded slowly and leaned back in his chair as well. Their eyes remained locked. This was the kind of guy who wanted to be everyone’s friend. That’s why he was having these meetings. She’d seen a thousand times before and she didn’t do male friends. She did one night stands and not with her boss. She did those with tourists who stayed in the town during the right seasons for the local ski and snowboarding resorts. Hence why Wild Junction had three bars. It also had four small hotels, where Riley went to with her hookups so she didn’t have them in her dingy ass apartment.
“Is that all?” She finally asked after a couple minutes of silence.
“I’m just trying to be a good guy here, Riley,” he leaned back forward, resting his elbows on the desk.
“And you are. The pay raise is a life saver!” She grinned at him, and knew it probably looked at little forced. Something about him set her on edge even if he was friendly. Troy had done the same thing but she thought it was because Troy reminded her of a guy named trouble. She felt like she was cornered when it came to them and she didn’t enjoy the feeling.
“Of course,” he chuckled and waved her off. “You can go. Send in Winter, please.”
She jumped up and left quickly, ushering Winter to the office next. She closed the door behind the teen and ran off to see Haley and Phoebe, who were making sure the diner was ready to open in only twenty minutes.
“Tell. Me. Everything.” She commanded, sitting down to help her friends wrap silverware in napkins.
“Andrew Hicks is one of the Kingson Estate boys.” Haley groaned. “He grew up here with his best friends, Brenton Kingson, Zachary Woods, Gabe Walker and Troy Walker. They-”
“Troy Walker?” Riley butt in, shocked. “I met him like four days ago, when the snowstorm was getting started!” She brought her voice down to a whisper. “He gave me a ride back to my apartment from Joey’s since Joey didn’t want me walking back the Dump.”
Phoebe squealed and Riley winced.
“Was he hot like Andrew is now?” Phoebe pried.
Riley shrugged with a smile, a blush creeping up her cheeks.
“Yeah, he is. Too bad I fell on my ass right in front of him when I got out of his SUV.”
They laughed and Haley shook her head.
“You can look at the estate boys, but don’t touch,” she warned Riley. Phoebe nodded wisely next to her, but looking disappointed at the thought as well. “They don’t play well with others and most of them only do hookups. Plus, they’re rich as hell and don’t trust anyone because people used to try and be their friends for their money. Including their legal guardians.”
“Legal guardians?” Riley tilted her head and wanted more, flooded with confusion and curiosity.
“Within like three months, all of them became orphans when they were like eight to ten. It was tragic. The entire town talked about it. A bunch of crazy accidents like a plane crash and car crash happening all at once. They were given legal guardians and living together but like ten years ago, they all disappeared and went off, leaving behind Wild Junction.” Phoebe pointed a fork at her. “And if Troy and Andrew are back in town, that means all of them must be.”
That’s wild, Riley considered. That might have explained Andrew’s want to be her friend.
“I heard the Kingson Estate was getting renovations,” Haley hissed. “They must have all moved back in when the renovations were done! And with Andrew buying the diner, they must be planning on sticking around.”
Riley listened quietly. Andrew must have been trying to relate to her. Both basically orphans, but she was dumped into foster care when her dad bounced out of her life without warning. She was also never rich and Phoebe made them sound rich enough to have the wrong end of money problems. Too much.
And she had now met two of them.
She helped her friends finish and watched them leave for home when she flipped the sign from Closed to Open. Already there were ten customers outside, and nearly half were mad the diner was opening late. It wouldn’t be an easy start.
As she worked through the day, she caught Andrew watching her more then once. She wanted to growl at him and nearly did once when he was in her way to get a piece of pie for a customer. Customers only got to see her smiling happy face but other employees including the boss got to see her snarly and mad. It was the trade off for working in the service industry in her mind.
By the end of her shift, it was mid afternoon. She checked her phone and grinned.
Haley: Rocker’s 9pm, wanna go Friday?
She typed a quick reply to Haley. It was only Tuesday and they all got paid Friday morning. With the pay raise, it would be a great check, even without the hundred dollars in tips she had already from the day. Plus, she always had Friday off. Andrew made it clear he wasn’t going to try and mess with their schedules if it was already working.
Riley: Fuck yeah, girl! Let’s rock! I need some hot tourists in my life.
She did too. It’d been weeks since her last hook up and she was desperate for some real action. And she wasn’t ashamed to admit she might pretend the random might be either Troy or Andrew. Riley was happily a very shameless twenty-three year old.