Lea's P. O. V.

« Dammit. »

I threw the covers off my bare body and ran to the bathroom.

I quickly showered and threw on my uniform, one of four that I had been wearing almost everyday for the last three and a half years, before grabbing my keys off the counter and a bran muffin from the pantry before running out the door.

I was late for my shift at Black Cat's Diner for the second time this week.

Rebecca was going to be pissed.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Jack's number. « Late again, Pumpkin ? »

I sighed, « Yea. Sorry, Jack. I'm on my way now. » I slid into my beat up Toyota and shoved my key into the ignition. « I decided to take a nap and overslept. »

« Talked to the parentals ? » Jack asked quietly. He was the only person in this hole-in-the-wall town who knew who my parents were and why I chose to leave their lifestyle behind.

« Yea. I don't know why they just won't let me be. » I whispered as I angrily wiped a stray tear from my cheek.

« It's because they still love you, Lea. »

« Well, they have one hell of a way of showing it, » I spat out.

« You know how the old saying goes, You hurt the ones you love the most. »

« Yea, well who ever said that needs to be taken out and shot. »

I heard Jack chuckle as I stopped at the only red light in town and looked around. The stores had already closed for the night, their neon signs flashing in the darkened windows.

« I'll be there in five, Jack. » I eased the old car forward.

« Okay, Pumpkin. I'll see you then. »

« Kay. »

I slid my phone closed and tossed it into the passenger seat. As I continued to make my way to the diner, I turned the radio up and drummed my fingers against the steering wheel.

As I pulled into my spot on the side of the building and looked down the alley way, I shook my head as I noticed that the trash men had once again put our dumpster in the middle of the narrow path. I made a mental note to put it where it belonged when I took the trash out a little later.

Pushing the door to the diner open, I blinked rapidly as the bright lights blinded me.

« Freak, Jack. What did you do, find a way to harness the sun and bring it inside ? » I smiled at the balding, beer-bellied middle aged man.

« Only for you, Pumpkin. Only for you, » he answered as he waved his spatula in the air.

« Hey, Becca. Sorry I'm late. » I smiled weakly at the younger woman who worked the afternoon shift.

« This is the second time this week, Lea, » she tapped her foot impatiently at me as she started stripping off her apron. « I sure hope it doesn't become a habit. »

For the life of me, I couldn't figure out what I had done to cause Rebecca to dislike me as much as she did. « No, of course not. »

« Good, because, unlike you, some of us actually have a life outside of this hell hole, » she glanced back at Jack. « No offense, Jack. »

Jack narrowed his eyes slightly before replying, « None taken, Sugarplum. »

Rebecca laughed and threw her apron at me as she grabbed her time card and punched out. I peeled the filthy cloth off my head and let out a deep breath as I tossed the stained apron into the hamper.

I pushed my hair back in place and turned toward the counter as the doorbell chimed.

Three men in suits walked in as Rebecca walked out. I glanced back toward Jack and raised an eyebrow as I tilted my head towards the door. Jack looked up briefly before he shrugged his shoulders and went back to scraping the grill.

I quickly tied my apron around my waist and pulled three menus and my pencil and notepad from under the counter.

« Table for three ? » I asked as I casually looked the men over.

« Four, and make it as private as possible. »

My heart skipped a beat as the fourth man stepped into the diner. His voice was rich and deep as he spoke, but his steel blue eyes were cold and hard as they looked around before landing on me.

I swallowed and nodded as I pulled out a fourth menu, « Yes, Sir. Please, follow me. »

I stepped from behind the counter and led the four men to the back of the diner. As I came to a stop, I held my hand out toward the table, « I hope this will be suitable, it's as private as we have. »

The man looked the table over and gave a terse nod. I waited as they took their seats before asking the diner's standard question, « What drinks can I get for you tonight ? »

Again the fourth man spoke for the group, « Coffees, fresh and strong. »

« Cream or sugar ? » I asked as the man looked toward the front of the diner.

« Did I ask for cream or sugar ? »

« Well, no Sir. » I frowned slightly at his tone, « But I like to make sure my customers are satisfied the first time around. »

The three men that had walked in first snickered as the fourth turned and narrowed his eyes on me. « You do, do you ? »

I felt a blush rise against my pale skin as he trailed his eyes from my head to my feet and back up, his expression never changing as his eyes met mine.