I could feel him watching me as I walked away, and I could guess what he was thinking. He’d already proven he enjoyed a challenge, so I was giving him one.

Once they cleaned their plates and sat back against their chairs, I brought them the check. They wasted no time gathering their things and heading out, but Taylor made sure to wait until he could wave to me before leaving.

Kirby bussed their table and brought me a handful of ones and fives and some change for a tip that totaled more than their meals. I shook my head and chuckled quietly. It was the best way to tell a waitress good-bye.

The remainder of my shift was comfortably busy. Hannah and I sat together on the stools near the kitchen end of the bar, counting our tips and listening to Hector’s and Chuck’s funny stories about their mishaps and near misses throughout the day.

With one hand on her back, Phaedra trudged up to us from the back room, covered in cream cheese, chocolate, and strawberry smears. “The goddamn pies are done.”

Chuck hugged her. “Well done, my love. Well done.”

He kissed her cheek, and she batted him away.

“How was it? I meant to come out earlier. I got behind.”

“We survived,” I said.

Kirby smirked. “Taylor came in again today. Left her a big tip.”

I rolled my eyes.

“What did it say?” Hannah said.

My nose wrinkled. “Huh?”

Hannah nodded to my stack of cash. “He wrote on one of the bills. I thought you knew.”

Kirby rushed to stand next to me as I fanned out my money.

I shook my head. “Nothing.”

“It’s on the other side, kiddo,” Phaedra said, her eyes targeting one of the singles.

I flipped over the stack and found the note scribbled in barely legible print.

COMFORT SLEEP HOTEL

ROOM 201

Kirby laughed. “He gets points for persistence. You have to give him that.”

I inhaled, the wheels in my head spinning a hundred miles per hour. Now that I had somewhat of a plan, it was hard to be patient. But being patient was the only way it could work.

“It’s not cute. It’s obnoxious. But keep seating them in my section, okay?”

“You got it,” she said, climbing onto a stool and dangling her feet like a child.

Phaedra patted Chuck’s face. “Remember when you were obnoxious, honey?”

“How could I forget?” he said, waggling an eyebrow.

“Please stop,” Kirby said, looking ill.

A knock sounded on the door.

Kirby sighed. “He’s actually on time for once.”

When she didn’t move and didn’t say anything else, I turned to see Taylor standing in a white hat, a gray hoodie, and navy basketball shorts with flip-flops, holding a laundry basket full of clothes.

“I’ll be a son of a bitch,” Phaedra said with her gravelly low voice.

“Should I let him in?” Kirby asked.