I left my bike at the diner because Emily said we were coming back. She convinced Andrew and Jane to cover by telling them as soon as we get back they can leave. By 7 though, it's only the guys and a few out of towners that come in so I was happy to agree. Emily took me back to hers. It was a beautiful beach wood cabin house like mine but it had a patio and a huge space out back. I just had a patch of grass and then it was trees as far as the eye could see.

Inside was cosy. The rooms were filled with photos of the guys and Emily. It had a really woodsy feel to it. It was safe to say I fell in love with the place immediately.

"Em, your house is beautiful." I stated, leaving no room for her to disagree.

"Thanks, would you like something to drink? Tea or coffee?" she asked, such a good hostess.

"Tea please, no milk, 1 sugar thanks."

"Okay," she smiled and moved into the kitchen. "Make yourself comfortable, the guys will be back soon."

Brilliant. Twice in one day. They're going to think im needy or something. I guess I could start to complain I felt ill or something before they got back? But that wasn't really fair on Emily, she brought me all the way out here and if I left now, id just feel rude. Then, like bulls in a china shop, all 5 of the lads storm into the house. Back entrance first. So guess who the first person they see is? Me!

"Someone's keen." Paul winked.

"Maxine right?" the tall dark stranger asked. I took a shot in the dark and thought Sam. Id seen him cuddling Emily a few times.

"Erm, yeah." I stood up. "Sam im guessing." I was the one to stick out my hand this time. Knowing Sam was engaged to my boss meant I didn't have to worry about looking like a right idiot in front of him. What a weight off my mind. He stuck out his hand and flashed me a small smile.

"Where's Emily?" he asked. 'Nice to meet you too Sam. Yeah im okay, how're you? Emilys in the kitchen making tea.'

"kitchen." I felt a little deflated after such a short conversation. The rest of them sat around me and began asking me more questions.

"What are you doing here?"

"Aren't you supposed to be at work?"

"How did you end up at Emily's diner?"

"How long have you been living around here?"

"Are you single?"

The last one kind of shocked me a little but Paul hit Quil in the arm, again.

I laughed and they started to think over the questions. "Im here because Emily wanted to hang out. Were going back to work at 7, were just having a break. My friend Farrah noticed the sign asking for a waitress. I've been in the reservation just over a week now and yes Quil. I am single."

I thought that was interrogation over but apparently not. Before I could answer anymore though, Emily and Sam came in and sat down with the rest of us...

Awkward...

"So this is nice." Emily chirped up. A chorus of 'yeah's and nodding followed...

Silence...

'I wonder if we'll go back early because no ones talking. Maybe Emily will get bored and take me back. I wonder if anyone has a mint. I smell of tea and fri...'

A movement outside caught my attention. I looked back at the group and they all seemed focused on the conversation that had developed with out me. My eyes turned back to the window. I saw a small dog in the trees. I got up and walked over to get a better look. On second thoughts, the dog looked pretty large against the trees, a horse maybe? Or a bear? It was too furry to be a horse.

"Max?" two hand set on my shoulders and I jumped forward and turned around.

"Jeez Paul! Are you trying to kill me?" he chuckled. My heart was racing.

"What were you looking at?" he asked. I glanced back at the window to see nothing but grass and trees.

"I thought I saw something." I looked a little harder. "It was like a horse or a bear or something, stood right there in the trees." I pointed to where I saw it and looked at Paul. His face was hard.

"Im sure it was ..."

An echoing howl sounded from outside and the guys sped off outside towards the forest. I looked at Emily. Her face looked worried.

"Come away from the window, max." She ordered. I didn't argue. I went back to her couch and sat down with Emily.

The guys didn't come back. Emily and I didn't go back to work. Instead she insisted I stayed and called Jane to lock up. Something was wrong, different. I could tell what it was but Emily wasn't the same as before. She was worried and she kept herself busy by baking. I offered to help but she said she didn't need me to. We both went to bed around 10 but I couldn't help thinking about that howl. Maybe the bear and the howl were connected. Maybe it wasn't a bear. A wolf maybe? Wolves howl. Why did the guys run off like that? The wolf could have been a pet or something so they wanted to make sure it wasn't hurt. Awe how nice of them. Soon after I figured all this out, I fell asleep in Emily's spare room.

"Emily?" I tip toed down the hall, whispering Emily's name. I heard voices downstairs but I hadn't heard Emily's yet so I assumed she was still asleep. Dammit!

"Maxine saw you jake! You have got to be more careful now she's around!" I heard my name from downstairs so I decided to easdrop a little.

"Who the hell is Maxine?" a new voice shouted a little louder. It was a man and his voice was deep and husky. It sent a shiver sensation down my spine.

"Maxine is a waitress at Emily's diner and if you wake her up jake, ill kill you!" Sam shouted. So the husky voice mystery man was jake. Interesting. The floor boards creaked and I turned to tip toe away.

BAM! Right behind me was Emily, looking as if she was going to die of laughter any second now. I clung to the door frame for dear life. I must admit, she did scare me a little so I started to giggle silently with her.

"Find something funny ladies?" Paul asked from the bottom of the stairs.

Oh shit!