"Who was that guy you were talking to in your section?"

Tania was refilling a pitcher of iced tea at the drink station when the other waitress asked her the question.

"Which guy?" Tania asked, digging crushed iced from the freezer.

"You know which one I'm talking about," Aimee said. "The cute one with the green eyes and all the tattoos."

Tania grinned. "He is quite a catch, isn't it?"

"Yeah, just don't let him loose. Men like that are hard to come by in this town," Aimee said.

Tania piled a few empty glasses onto her serving tray. "He's still a mystery. I don't even know him."

Aimee smacked her gum and peered over the serving station in the direction of Noah.

"You know, he kind of looks like one of those loggers who live out in the mountains. He looks wild and rough, but in a sexy kind of way," Aimee said.

"Sound like you're into his kind," Tania teased.

"I wonder if he's a shifter." Aimee's statement came out more like a question.

Tania turned her attention back to Noah as he sat alone at the table, enjoying his meal. He used a knife and fork to cut into his steak just like everybody else. Buttered his yeast rolls just like she would expect. He looked like a normal human being—just like everybody else in the cafe.

Suddenly he lifted his gaze. Even with the large distance separating them, he managed to lock eyes with hers. He just sat back in his chair and grinned, watching her expression from across the room.

Her breath quickened and her body temperature rose quite a bit as she became the center of his attention yet again. Whatever he was, human or otherwise, she felt connected to him. That was strange. She barely knew—she didn't know him at all. Sooner or later, she'd find out more about him. She didn't know how much more she could take of him looking at her like she was the meal. She couldn't wait for her shift to be over and for everyone to leave the diner so she could talk with him later on.

Aimee cleared her throat. "He's got the hots for you, girl. And it looks like the feeling's mutual."

Tania shrugged. "Like I said, I don't really know."

"Slide him your phone number or something before he leaves," she suggested.

"Maybe." Tania gathered up her tray.

"Be careful too. One of the cops in my section said they've been on the look-out for a gang of criminals. Listen…"

Aimee turned up the volume of the radio by their workstation.

"Cops are on the lookout for four suspects in a string of unarmed car robberies. The men were masked and none have been identified. Although unarmed, they are considered to be very dangerous and aggressive. If you're in the city tonight, please use extreme caution and don't go out alone. Report any suspicious activities to police…"

"Sounds like the same old, same old. A bunch of guys trying to flip cars for a profit," Tania noted.

"How are they gonna sell a hot car?"

"Easy." Tania shrugged. "There are at least three chop shops within less than a hundred miles of Aspen Valley."

"What do you know about that anyway? I thought you were one of the good girls."

Tania grinned. "Just when I wanna be."

Aimee smiled. "Right. Just be careful when you clock out tonight, alright?"

"I'll be fine. I don't have to wait outside for Eliana. I've got the car tonight."

"Good," Aimee said. "Is she coming back to work? Ever?"

"She's full-time at her other gig now, so I doubt it," Tania said.

"You mean that shifter nightclub? Money must be really good," Aimee replied.

"She says it is and that she just puts up with a whole lot more crap than we do."

Aimee rolled her eyes. "Why don't I believe that? I get complaints even when the order is accurate, the food is exceptional, and I've got my best customer service smile pasted on my face."

Tania chuckled. "Let's get these people served. I'm trying to get out of here early tonight."

"I hope that's because you have a hot date with the green-eyed hottie checking you out," Aimee called out over her shoulder as she walked away.