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"Okay, so I'll see you later tonight? As planned?"
Lita felt a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth at Edge's words. In fact, her entire body was shuddering with pleasant chills. It seemed as though it were a mutual thing - they couldn't get enough of one another.
"Definitely," she replied a slow blush seeping through her cheeks. This man made her feel so good. "I'd better go now, though - work, you know."
"Okay," Edge replied. "See you later... And be good!"
She laughed, thinking of just how appropriate his last three words were to be directed at *him*.
"I will... Bye."
"I love you," he replied. "Bye."
Lita's breath caught in her throat at the sweet sentiment, but she couldn't say the same back to him, as he'd already hung up. She stood there, the pay phone's receiver clutched in her hand for a beat, before finally hanging up.
She turned slowly and headed back into the kitchen, her thoughts consumed by her new boyfriend. She was dragged back to her senses in an instant at the sight of Chris and Trish, the two looking pretty chummy. The chef had a hand on the blonde waitress' cheek as the two stood facing one another, speaking in soft tones. Neither seemed to be working at the very moment, or even concerned about it, and some burgers were audibly frying on the grill.
"Oh... Excuse me," the redhead said, unable to contain the smile on her face. She'd known for awhile that Chris had a crush on the little blonde, but he'd never had the courage to do anything about it. However, since the fiasco with Torrie Wilson, things seemed to have changed.
"Hey," Chris said, smiling but removing his hand from Trish's face. "Actually, you're just in time."
"Hmm?"
Trish gestured with one hand as she decided to do the honors.
"Well, Lita... Chris and I were talking about going out tomorrow night - I can't do it tonight because of school and all," she explained. "But how about you and Edge double with us? We're going to hit the town."
"That sounds like fun!" the redhead exclaimed. "I'll ask Edge when I see him later." Her heart fluttered as she acknowledged that in a mere three more hours, she and the tall blond man would see each other again. As he usually did, he would be meeting her here later, when her shift ended. She could hardly wait, and she loved that feeling.
Fortunately for her, Dawn Marie had worked the early shift that day. She was relieved that she didn't have to see the brunette. It was really a shame... Although she hated to think of it now, after everything she'd learned, Dawn *had* been a good friend. But Lita refused to allow herself to dwell on that. The woman was a thief, end of story. She and her bastard husband. As far as the redhead was concerned, those two were the scum of the earth and deserved each other for what they did to Adam.
"Hey... Red!" Jericho said, waving a hand in front of Lita's face.
The redhead blinked, coming back to her senses. Trish wasn't even in the kitchen anymore. Her guess was that the blonde had returned to work and had brought a plate out to some diners.
"Oh... Sorry," she said sheepishly and crossed the room for an apron. "I guess I blanked out on you for a minute there."
"No problem," the blond man said with a friendly wink and smile. "I understand, kid."
She looked back up at him, certain that he really *didn't*. She wondered what he would think, how he would react if she told him the truth about Dawn Marie - someone he too considered a friend.
Since Lita had worn her uniform to work for a change, she simply tied her apron over it right there. She chewed on her lower lip, lost in thought as Chris studied her.
"Is something wrong?"
She looked up again, sharply this time as he brought her back from her thoughts. Damn it, she had a creepy feeling and wished she could talk to someone.
"Yes - I mean, *no*," she said. She cursed herself mentally but then sighed and met the chef's kind blue eyes. He was eyeing her with concern. "Chris, can I talk to you for a bit?" She knew it was a bad idea to do this now, when her shift was about to begin, but what the hell.
"Sure, of course.
*
His gaze was sharp in the dark stillness of the night as he kept his eyes on them like a hawk. As usual, he'd worn his customary all black for the job, but he found himself wishing he'd worn a black hat to conceal his long blond hair. That would no doubt make him conspicuous if they were to suddenly realize they were being followed. He just had to hope that wouldn't happen - at least not until he was ready to let them know.
The couple suddenly strode hand-in-hand into a liquor store. Damn it, this was the part of this that he hated. He had to stay back, keep to the shadows, wait until they were back outside. He wondered what they were up to, as neither had ever been much of drinkers.
Moments later, they emerged, and she was carrying a paper bag with a bottle of something inside, cradling it.
He followed them for several blocks, making sure to keep to the shawdows. He was glad the streets were deserted as he quickened his step to make his move.
"Hey!"
He heard Dawn Marie audibly gasp as they turned. His step-brother's eyes were wide as he stared at him.
"You!"
"Yeah, it's *me*," Edge spat. "You worthless bastard... How come you never answer your phone?"
"Fuck you!" Christian sputtered. Without warning, he charged right at the taller man, surprising him in the process. There was a brawl right there in the street, mere yards from their house, and by some miracle, Dawn Marie managed not to scream throughout it all.
Edge's breath rushed out in a gush as he collapsed to the ground. Christian back up, his gaze wide as it was glued on his step-brother. Without wasting any time, he blindly reached out slightly behind him and grabbed his wife's upper arm. He spoke to her in a loud whisper.
"Come on - let's go... Let's go!"