CHAPTER SEVENTEEN - *CLUB MISADVENTURES

As she walked to her shift at the Ivory Tower that evening, Anna felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety. Would Erik come in tonight? And if he did, how should she act? The line between her work life and her personal life was becoming increasingly blurred, and she wasn't sure how to navigate it. The moment she stepped into the restaurant, she could feel the curious gazes of her coworkers. Lisa sidled up to her as she tied on her apron. "So," Lisa said, her voice dripping with false sweetness, "two nights in a row with Erik Fairchild. You must be quite the party animal." Anna forced a smile. "It's not what you think, Lisa. We're just friends." Lisa raised an eyebrow. "Right. Well, don't get too comfortable. Men like Erik, they get bored easily. Trust me, I've seen it happen before." Before Anna could respond, Mr. Vega called the staff to attention for the pre-shift meeting. As he went over the evening's specials, Anna's mind wandered. Was Lisa right? Was she just a passing amusement