THEN WHO DID?

Frankie had no idea who Lily was talking about. Was he supposed to know who the mystery guy was? "And who would that be?"

Lily pressed her lips, her shoulders shrugging. "I got a text message from Alas."

"Alas?" Frankie seemed genuinely surprised. Alas was dating Jean, and Lily was best friends with Jean. Frankie figured it must be. "Okaaay—"

It was Jean who changed the topic. "I did not know you also work here, Frankie." It seemed to her that all of Ray's friends worked at Nickel Penny. She wondered if the fourth member of The Rescue Blues, Dan Pierce, worked in the diner too.

Frankie replied, his attention changed from Lily to Jean, "Well, I just started yesterday. I need some money to spend on things. I even sleep here some days. Being friends with the owner has its perks." He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned on the table. "I heard that you work here too."