Hot Summer Love: A Multi-Author Box Set (Shifters in Love Book 2)

“We all know what’s going on, Sky.” Joleen's voice from right behind her made her jump.

“Holy crap, Joleen!” Sky gasped. “You scared the hell out of me.”

“Sorry. Anyway, we can tell you were making out with Brock outside.”

“What makes you so sure?”

Lily smirked. “What else could you be doing out there for so long? You sure as hell weren’t trading crock pot recipes.”

“We could have been talking, you know?”

Joleen rolled her eyes playfully. “You and Brock? With all that sexual tension between you? Not a chance.”

Sky couldn't help but smile. She eased down into the chair next to Lily. Her feet were aching from the double shift that was nearing the end, and she was in desperate need of a long soak in a bubble bath.

“Be right back.” Joleen flitted off again, most likely to the kitchen to put in the order she had just taken.

Sky studied Lily. “How are you doing?

“Me? I’m fine.”

“It kind of sucks the guys had to leave so quickly, doesn’t it?”

Lily shrugged. “I guess.”

Sky gave a playful shoulder bump against Lily’s trying to cheer her up. Exhausted as she was, Sky didn't like the idea of just leaving Lily to mope all by herself. Perhaps they could all go and get a drink once she and Joleen were off work. Or watch a movie at one of their places.

“Hey, we can make it a girls night after Joleen and I are off shift. It’s been a while since we got together, just the three of us. That would be pretty awesome.”

Lily nodded. “I don't know. The men may end up getting back sooner than we expect.”

Joleen returned just then, plunking down in the chair across on the other side of Lily. “Good Lord, those people had a long order. I mean, how many things can you take away from a salad before it's not even a salad anymore?”

Sky laughed. “You'd be surprised.” She turned to Joleen. The woman was beaming. These days she was always happy. She and Jax had hooked up, and it was obvious they were perfect for each other. “So…how's it going? With you and Jax, I mean?”

Joleen's eyes sparkled. “Amazing.” She paused, looking thoughtful while biting her lip. “I don't know what else to say. What about you? How did the making out go?”

Sky shook her head. “That's about all we do, so it's not really going at all. I don't understand what Brock's deal is.”

“He's got a lot on his mind, I'm sure. His job can be pretty stressful.”

“I know…but Jax still makes time for you, and Toby makes time for Lily. So what's different?”

“It'll happen.”

Sky tugged on her bun, loosening the band a bit. Her hair was long and sometimes piling it all on top of her head gave her a slight headache. “I just wish he would figure out what he wants and get his act together soon.”

“They never do,” Lily offered.

Joleen wrinkled her nose. “Don't say that.”

Lily made a face, and seemed like she was about to say something more, but stopped when Joleen stood up.

“Table four needs me again. I’ll be back soon.”

Nodding, Lily lowered her gaze back to her phone and swiped it open. Her camera's gallery was still on, so she half-heartedly resumed scrolling through the pictures, seeming to look for something. Dog pics went by. A few sunsets. One of a concert. That was when Sky made out three pics of a naked man—A naked man who was not Toby.

Sky held her breath and looked away. She hadn't meant to be nosy. Lily, for her part, didn't even seem to notice or care that Sky had seen the pictures. Should she say something? Confront her? Sky decided to leave it alone. She was not about to jump to conclusions. If Lily wanted some advice, Sky would be there for here. Until then, she was not touching it with a ten-foot pole.

She turned around in her chair, doing a visual sweep of her section to see if any customers needed her. Most everyone seemed to be having a good time in their respective groups. Two booths from the entrance there was a new customer. A businessman in his thirties was just settling into his seat. Sky stood up and straightened her black apron. She didn't know much about men's clothes, but the charcoal colored suit the man wore fit him perfectly. It must have been custom-made just for him. Which meant it was sure to be expensive.

Hopefully he was a good tipper too.

If that was the case, it would make up for his showing up almost at closing time. The cook was sure to make a fuss if he ordered anything elaborate too. Wasting no time, she hurried over to the booth and stopped at the edge of the table.

“Hello,” she greeted him. “How are you doing tonight, sir?”

Harmony Raines & V. Vaughn & Bella Love-Wins & Kate Kent & Vivian Arend & Michele Bardsley & Becca Fanning & C.E. Black & Scarlett Grove's books