Prologue- Last Call
Annabelle sighs as she wipes the last table, glancing up at the clock on the wall. Half past three in the morning. She shakes her head, wondering how many more nights she can keep doing this. Between the customers who had stiffed her on their tips and the ones who seemed determined to keep her running until closing, she’s exhausted, and the half-empty tip jar sitting on the bar does little to improve her mood.
With a quiet flick of her fingers, she sends the cleaning cloth gliding across the table, gathering the last crumbs before folding itself neatly in half. A second flick sends it drifting toward the bucket behind the bar. At least her magic can make the closing work go a little faster.
She glances toward Sarah, her best friend since grade school, who is turning the tip jar upside down and counting the money inside. Sarah inherited the bar from her parents, and the two of them have been working together for years, splitting the tips at the end of each shift. Lately, though, there hasn’t been much worth splitting.
“So, how bad do you think we did tonight?” Annabelle asks, her voice heavy with exhaustion as her amber-brown eyes settle on her friend.
Sarah counts the last few bills before looking up, her short blonde hair falling across her forehead. “It appears to be even worse than it was last night,” she mutters, shaking her head.
Annabelle groans and plants her palm firmly against the table. “I cannot keep doing this.”
She drops the cleaning cloth onto the table and turns toward Sarah, hesitating as she tries to find the right words.
“There’s something I need to tell you.”
Sarah pauses with the money still in her hands, studying Annabelle’s expression. “What is it?”
Annabelle unties her apron and pulls it from around her waist, setting it beside the cloth.
“I saw a job opportunity out of town and applied. I honestly didn’t think I’d get it, but they called me today and offered me the position.” She looks down at her hands, rubbing her thumb along the edge of her apron. “I told them I’d think about it and get back to them tomorrow, but…”
Her voice trails off before she finally meets Sarah’s eyes.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to put you in this position.”
Sarah stares at her, the money forgotten between her fingers. For a moment, she says nothing, and Annabelle feels her stomach tighten as she waits for her friend to respond.
“Wait… out of town?” Sarah finally asks.
Annabelle nods. “Yeah.”
Sarah lowers the bills to the counter. “And you’re thinking about taking it?”
“I am.” Annabelle swallows, hating how difficult it is to say the words aloud. “I haven’t accepted yet, but I think it might be time for a change.”
Sarah studies her for another moment, then glances at the tip jar. “I know things have been rough lately, but I just didn’t think you’d be leaving so soon.”
“Neither did I.” Annabelle’s shoulders slump. “I hate the thought of leaving you here, but I need to figure out what comes next for me.”
Sarah lets out a slow breath, her expression softening. “I get it. This isn’t your family business, and you have to do what’s right for you.” She gives a small chuckle, though there’s still a trace of sadness in her smile. “Besides, it’s not like I’ll never see you again. You’ll come visit me, or I’ll hunt your ass down and kidnap you.”
She grins and tosses a cleaning cloth at Annabelle’s chest.
Annabelle catches it with a laugh, the tension easing from her face. “Of course we’ll visit each other!”
She sets the cloth aside and hurries around the table, wrapping her arms tightly around Sarah. Sarah embraces her just as fiercely, holding on for a moment longer than either of them probably intends.
Neither says it aloud, but they both know things are about to change.
