H A I L E Y
It was finally my lunch break and Valerie and I planned on going to the nearby restaurant downtown for lunch. I could already feel the tension leave my shoulders as I imagined sitting at the small corner table with her, enjoying a hot meal, and talking about anything other than work.
When we entered the restaurant, it was crowded, which was normal. The place had become a staple in the area, offering delicious meals and good coffee at an affordable price.
The hostess was a girl I recognized, as I'd like to say Valerie and I were a regular in the place, but the truth is, I had been a regular before ever meeting her. She was a student at the local university, and she greeted us with a familiar smile.
"Hey ladies," she greeted, grabbing two menus and leading us towards our usua
