I saw her eyes flick to mine and then away. I saw a split second of the real story, her tired eyes, the worry she pushed out of her voice to make it cheerful. I wanted to say, I’ve got you, it’s okay. But I had no right to do that. Maybe her label of protector was right on about me, or perhaps this was an impulse specific to her. Either way, I said, “Well, that’s good then. You girls have a nice time, and let me know if you need anything.”“You could join us,” Maggie suggested.“I’m working tonight, but thank you,” I said. Even though I wanted to grab Layla by her overall straps and fling her out of the booth to get to Sarah Jo. Because that wouldn’t have anybody talking at all, now would it?On the way back behind the bar, I decided I was going to drop by and check on her dad soon. I could pitch in, act as a stand-in for Ryan, who seemed to help out only once in a while. Around ten, the girls got their stuff together to leave. Layla came to settle the tab at the bar. On the back of h
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