Page 32 of Apparently, I’m A B!tch

Chapter19

Tristan

Tuesday afternoon

Uncle Henry cameto visit this morning, donning an apron and working in ways that minded his hips and back. I was glad to see him. Nikki left in a rush yesterday and she didn’t seem happy. Seeing Uncle Henry would turn that around and I’d get to see her smile again.

“She coming?” Uncle Henry asked after the lunch-rush ended.

I shrugged. “She always comes in, don’t worry Amo.”

He coughed, then hmphed as he walked away, taking a tray of empty cups to the sink.

Lilly rounded the counter to stand in front of me with her arms crossed. “He’s going to know something is wrong when she doesn’t show up, Tristy.”

I sighed in exasperation. “Lil, nothing is wrong, okay? Maybe she’s sick or something.”

She raised a brow. “When have you ever known Nikki to…? You know what? Never mind. I said I wouldn’t help you with this, and I meant it. This is worse than what happened when you two were working together.”

“Nothing happened then!” I called after her as she turned and walked away.

“Exactly!” she yelled back, not bothering to look over her shoulder.

I put my focus on clearing tables, hoping that working with my hands would distract me from the ever-growing weight in my stomach. Did I upset Nikki so much that she decided not to come back?