Chapter 7

Tess's POV

I woke up bright and early. I had an earlier shift than I had been working. I didn't really want the afternoon shift, but I didn't have a choice. I had to work. I had my phone interview for the hospital in a few hours, and I wanted to get a run in first. I hadn't been on a run since the day before my wedding. Running gave me a sense of freedom and helped me clear my head and right now it was so needed.

I wanted to run along the boardwalk and maybe the beach but it was too far from where I was staying so I drove down to the boardwalk and found a place to park and got out and stretched out my body and then put my earbuds in, turned on my favorite playlist and took off running.

The only people that were out here were also running or a few opening up their business. It was great and I had worked up the best sweat ever and the burn in my muscles was something that I hadn't felt in what felt like a long time.

A few hours later I hung up from my phone from the interview, and it went better than expected and they offered me the job, with a sign on bonus after three months of employment and at six months and at year. They were desperate for people, and I was desperate for a job in what I wanted to do, so I agreed. Maybe it was a red flag but obviously I wasn’t good at spotting those.

I dialed my mom's number and was so excited to tell her the good news. This is all I ever wanted in life. I used to play doctor as a kid with my dolls. I would make up illnesses or injuries and had to nurse them back to health and now they weren't going to be made up but they would be real, and I still got to nurse them back to health.

"Hey sweetie."

"Mom, I got it. They offered me the job after the interview was over."

"That's amazing. I'm so proud of you and I knew that you could do it. When do you start?"

"I have to go fill out paperwork and do a drug test and when that comes back all clear I will start."

"Good you can stop waiting tables."

"I can but for now I have to go and do that. I have the afternoon shift, so I will call you later. Love you."

I hung up feeling guilty that I moved so far and left her, but I know that she understands. I quickly got ready for my shift and headed to the restaurant.

It was official, the afternoon shift sucked. We had like three different groups of people and I spent the afternoon rolling silverware. Around six it started to pick up which was great because I had been bored and was going to fall asleep.

"Tess, can you work till close?" my manager asked. I had only worked a few shifts, and this was the second time I had been asked to cover someone.

"Yes."

"Great, thanks."

I rolled my eyes and went back to work, and I learned that I will never complain about it being slow. It got so busy and we were down more than just one person. I ran my ass off all night, but the tips poured in and with the huge tip that was left to me from the group of ten men the other night and tonight I had enough for a down payment on the apartment I liked.

Thinking of those men made me think of the dark-eyed man that left me the biggest tip of my life and God I wanted more than a tip from him and I had thought maybe he had as well, but he hadn't come back in here. Trust me I looked for him every night.

When we finally slowed way down, I told my manager that I was leaving since I had been here all day. He just waved me off and I walked out the door putting my tips into my purse and grabbing my keys. When I hit the unlock button on my car there was a man standing there.