After Blue Hour

Chapter 1: First Shift

  Rowan adjusted the strap of her apron and stared down at the menus stacked neatly on the counter. Blue Hour Grill smelled like fresh bread and sizzling garlic, and the low hum of conversation filled the small restaurant. It was cozy, bustling, and—most importantly—new.

  New town. New job. New start.

  Her hands shook just slightly as she tied the apron around her waist. She had moved in with Mateo, her roommate and lifelong best friend, only a few days ago. The apartment was small, cluttered with his comics and an alarming number of half-finished coffee mugs, but it felt safer than the world she had left behind.

  The bell above the door jingled. Rowan instinctively straightened. And then she saw her.

  Tall. Broad-shouldered. Shoulder-length dark hair that caught the dim light, and eyes sharp enough to make Rowan's chest tighten in ways she couldn't explain.

  She was leaning against the counter with an easy smirk, arms crossed over a black T-shirt, a name tag gleaming like a challenge. Six-foot-something of unapologetic presence. Rowan, by contrast, felt tiny—five-two at most.

  "First day?" She asked, voice teasing but not unkind.

  Rowan nodded, suddenly aware of how short she felt. "Yeah. I—I'm Rowan."

  "Jax," she said, offering a hand. It was broad and warm, and when their fingers brushed, Rowan flinched. "Don't worry. I'll try not to scare you too much."

  A laugh bubbled out of Rowan before she could stop it, nervous and shy. Mateo had warned her that this town had...characters. He hadn't mentioned this character.

  The rest of the morning passed in a blur of orders, sizzling pans, and the occasional glance from Jax. She had a way of moving through the space that made everyone notice, but she never lingered unnecessarily—like a storm in slow motion.

  By the time the lunch rush died down, Rowan leaned against the counter, breathing a little easier. Jax was nearby, wiping tables, still impossibly tall, impossibly confident. And Rowan realized with a jolt that she couldn't stop looking.

  This isn't going to be easy, she thought. But maybe...maybe it could be worth it.

  By mid-afternoon, the lunch rush had finally slowed, leaving the restaurant quiet except for the occasional clink of dishes and the low hum of conversation. Rowan leaned against the counter, trying to steady her nerves and remember the names of the regulars.

  "You're staring again," a familiar voice said from behind her.

  Rowan jumped slightly and turned to see Mateo grinning, holding a coffee cup like it was a weapon. "Mateo! Don't sneak up on me like that," she whispered, cheeks heating.

  "Relax, short stuff," he said, smirking. "You look like you're about to faint. First day jitters?"

  Rowan rolled her eyes, but a small laugh escaped. "Yeah, something like that. This place is...bigger than I expected."

  "Bigger than your old kitchen at home? Or bigger than your last apartment?" Mateo teased, leaning casually against the counter. "Either way, you'll survive. I promise."

  Just then, Jax passed by, carrying a tray of drinks. She glanced at Rowan, lips twitching into a half-smile. "I see your roommate has already begun embarrassing you," she said lightly, setting the drinks down.

  Rowan felt heat creep up her neck. "He's...helpful," she murmured.

  "Helpful or lethal?" Jax asked, raising an eyebrow, clearly amused. Her towering presence made Rowan glance down instinctively. She tried not to think about the way Jax's hand had brushed hers earlier, but the memory made her stomach twist.