The woman caught her attention out of the corner of her eye.
She looked like she'd walked right out of the eighties. High wasted, washed out jeans. T-shirt annoyingly decorated in bright colored geometric shapes. Way to big and baggy knitted beige sweater. Worn dingy running shoes. Wavy, ashen blonde hair thrown up in a messy bun on the crown of her head that was falling out in pieces.
Deep turquoise eyes flashing across the dive-bar. She was shifting nervously from foot to foot near the hostess stand. Her hands were burried deep into her pockets. She kept rolling her shoulder to adjust the faded and dingy black book bag hanging at her side.
That woman was definitely new.
She knew the familiar faces that walked in here, and she was not one of them.
Finishing up an order, she walked over. As she got closer, the dark purple bags under her eyes became glaringly obvious. Even under her agitation, she could tell she was exhausted. It put a damper on her otherwise regal face.
Her eyes flicked to focus on her as she grabbed a menu and utensils. There was a bit of apprehensive suspicion in them.
She put on her best hostess smile.
“Just you, or waiting for someone else?”
Her brows furrowed slightly as her eyes gave her the once over. The reaction was't surprising. She was definitely an oddity around here.
“Just…me.” Her hesitant voice was a rich alto.
“Alright, then follow me!” She said, turning in her heal.
With a glance over her shoulder to make sure she was following, she walked to an empty booth. With a gesture, she settled in.
“Anything to drink to start you off with?” She asked as she set down the menu in front of her.
“Just water.” She mumbled.
“I'll get that right away, would you like lemon?”
She shook her head, “No thanks.”
With a smile and a nod she walked to the kitchen. After bringing a couple fresh orders to the appropriate diners, she finally set a glass of ice water in front of her. She took it with a quiet ‘thank you’.
It looked like the menu hadn't even been touched.
“Would you like to hear about our specials?” She offered.
Again she shook her head. She resisted frowning at her peculiar behavior.
“Well, just take your time. I'll be back to check on you in a bit.”
The woman nodded as she put the glass to her lips.
She gave her a quarter of an hour. Subtly watching her as she attended to other patrons, she noticed that she still neglected the menu. Only the water continued to dissappear. Her eyes kept flashing.
Grabbing a pitcher of water, she headed back over.
“More water?”
Another nod.
“Decide on anything?” She asked as she filled up the glass.
The woman's fingers clung to it as she handed it back. Her lips thinned as she looked up at her.
“Is…uh…Bob here?” Her voice was suddenly feeble.
An inkling of suspicion in the back of her brain.
“Mhm.”
“Can I…talk to him?”
Suspicion growing stronger.
“Sure. Mind if I get your name so I can let him know who's asking for him?”
Her eyebrows furrowed.
“Just…tell him Tanisha called about me.”
Confirmed.
Immediately her stomach turned sour. Explained why she only wanted water.
“Alright.”
Trying her best to keep the sweet smile forced on her face, she turned on her heel. The smile dropped the second she stepped into the back room. Artificial light was shining out from down the hall. Rounding a corner, she peeked into Bob's office.
He was behind his cluttered desk. Glasses hanging on the edge of his nose. He was looking over the top of them as he typed on a desk top computer. His graying brown hair was balding. He kept it long enough to be held back into a ponytail, which was now settled over one shoulder.
She tapped on the door frame.
He looked up. His chestnut eyes squinted in a smile as they focused on her. The crows feet at the corners of them were accenting his wrinkled smile.
“Hey Juniper, what can I do for you?”
He always had such a relaxing deep voice.
She stepped into the doorway.
“One of your strays is asking for you.” She said flatly.
His eyes looked her over, the smile fading slightly.
“Strays?”
“Yeah, the ones Tanisha keeps sending you.” She tried not to sigh.
Smile brightened again.
“Oh! Right! I've been expecting a wolf from Chris's old pack.”
She felt her lip twitch as she fought the grimace that so desperately was trying to take over her face.
Chris and his stupid mate and his stupid pack. She hated hearing about all of those stupid wolves.
“Well, she's out there waiting for you.” The sigh came out.
Bob's eyes ran over her face again.
“She's in a booth at the back.”
“Thanks, tell her I'll be out in a minute.”
With a nod she turned. She rolled her eyes so hard, she could see the black of her skull.
She didn't bother to tell her his response. It wouldn't hurt her to sit in the unknown for a while. The irritation flared when Bob at last walked out and slipped into her booth. She stole glances at them. Bob's gentle demeanor seemed to be putting her at ease. She could see a faint smile flickering on her lips.
The acid in her gut was rising every minute.
Stupid wolf.
Jamming her key into her locker, she was glad her shift was over. The bitter feeling in her gut was making her shake. Exchanging her apron and several other items, she pulled on her wool jacket.
With a long sigh, she said goodbye to the cooks, other waiters, and the bartender on the way out.
She shot one last glare in the direction of the booth.
As the fall evening air hit her face, she told herself she needed to start looking for a different job. She was starting to get sick of Bob's misplaced sympathy.