CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN – WHO RUNS THE RUMOR MILL

She pulled out her phone to text Vito: "Just finished the craziest night ever. Exhausted but happy. Can't wait to tell you all about it." Joan looked back at the darkened restaurant. Miles Pizza had thrown its worst at her tonight, and she had not only survived but thrived. Whatever challenges tomorrow might bring, she knew she was ready to face them. The morning sun had barely peeked over the horizon when Joan arrived at Miles Pizza. After the chaos of the previous night, she was determined to start the day on a positive note. As she unlocked the door, she heard hushed voices coming from the back alley. Curiosity piqued, she quietly made her way around the building. "I'm telling you, Derek," Stacey's voice carried on the cool morning air, "Joan's got it out for us. Why do you think she's been scheduling us for all these crazy shifts?" Joan felt her heart sink. After everything they'd been through, was Stacey really back to her old tricks? Derek's voice responded, sounding uncert