The redhead patted his shoulder approvingly as if he had spoken the gospel truth. “Let’s hope nothing serious is wrong with the boy.”

The waitress was a single mother? It hit Madison like a baseball bat. “I have the solution.”

Janice stopped to close her briefcase and her eyes crinkled as if Madison had spoken Mandarin. “Solution for what?”

The witch wanted her to grow up and take responsibility? Piece of cake! Grandmother Eileen would get the show of her life. Madison grabbed the contract and ripped it apart.

“What are you doing?”

Sherry rushed out of the kitchen. “Hank, I gotta go. Jake is burning up. I have to take him to the hospital.”

The guy behind the counter growled. “Again?”

Sherry threw her apron on the counter. Without it, her pink mini skirt revealed her fragile build. She fetched a worn coat from a hook on the side of the counter. “I’m really sorry. I’ll make up the hours tomorrow, I promise.”

He raised a finger in warning. “This is the last time. You hear? I get that it’s tough for you, but you’re leaving Betty all on her own.”

“It’s fine, Hank.” The other waitress patted his burly arm.

“I’ll make it up to you. Really,” Sherry called, already halfway out the door. “The bus will be here any moment. If I hurry, I might catch it.”

If she couldn’t talk to the waitress now, she had to come back later. Hell no! Madison jumped up. “Be right back.” She ran after Sherry and caught up with her in the parking lot. “Wait!”

Sherry jerked to a stop and whirled around. Fear shone in her eyes but made way for something that looked like recognition. A hesitant smile formed on her lips. “Thank you so much for your help earlier.” She peered at the end of the parking lot. “I don’t want to be rude, but I have to hurry to catch my bus.”

“I can drive you.”

The waitress blinked. “What?”

“I, um, heard that you have to get home quickly, and I have a car. So I could drive you.”

Sherry tilted her head, her expression guarded. “Why would you do that?”

Out of the corner of her eye, Madison saw the bus approaching. If she kept Sherry occupied long enough, she’d miss it and would have to accept her offer. She gave the waitress her best flirty smile. “Because I’m nice.”

Just when the bus stopped, Sherry turned and ran toward it without sparing Madison a second glance.

Madison ran after her but wasn’t fast enough. “Damn!”

Sherry stepped through the doors, and the bus pulled away.

Madison bent forward, gasping for breath. She worked out multiple times a week and had fun in bed just as much but had been outrun by a pallid waitress. Madison had to laugh.