"C'mon, girl, how long does it take you to finish up?" Kate's voice rang out from outside, impatient and laced with a hint of annoyance.
"Almost done," Anna replied, her voice carrying a mischievous undertone. With a grin, she removed her apron and hurried to the back of the restaurant to stow it in her locker. The thought of leaving work behind to join Kate in the chilly outdoors had her spirits soaring.
She emerged from the back, now dressed in a sleek leather jacket, a shield against the evening's cold and the lingering rain's aftermath. A glance at Kate, who stood with her back against the restaurant's wall, revealed her friend's hand buried deep in the pocket of her jacket.
Kate turned towards Anna, a playful frown on her face. "At last, she steps out before I die of cold."
