The bell over the door jingled softly as the last customer finally left the café.
Nina wiped the table down with practiced ease, letting out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
A couple of stubborn guests had lingered far too long, sipping cold drinks and pretending not to see the "Closed" sign flipped on the glass.
ut now the chairs were up, the floor was mopped, and the quiet hum of the espresso machine was the only sound in the cozy shop.
She tossed the cleaning rag into the laundry bin and turned to see her manager leaning against the counter, watching her.
"Nina, come sit for a second."
The woman said, her voice soft but firm.
Nina blinked. Her first thought, naturally, was:
'Oh no. I'm going to get fired.'
'Are we about to get scolded?'
She whispered to her Patron.
[Probably. You did disappear for days without notice. Getting fired wouldn't exactly be a surprise.]
