It was true; I was like that. Not because I didn’t care, but because humor helped. As long as no one was seriously injured, which I wasn’t.
Emily sent a laugh emoji.
Any thoughts on the job offer?
I’ll take it. I’ll call Mary later.
Working part-time was better than being unemployed. I’d have a paycheck, and employed applicants looked more attractive to potential employers. Working with Blake and Mary was an added bonus.
Good, I’m glad. I’m still volunteering to revamp the website, so we’ll get to work together.
Cool! Gotta run. Doorbell.
Maybe it’s Prince’s owners. I felt bad for wanting Prince to have a home, knowing it’d break Gran’s heart, but it would be for the best. I’d consider finding her a new cat after I found a job and she was more mobile and stable.
Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t check the peephole before opening the door.
And coming face to face with Finn.
“Hey, baby,” he said, with an arrogant smirk on his face.
“What the—” I cut myself off before grabbing my keys off the nearby table.
I pushed him away and closed the door behind me. Gran didn’t need to see or hear us arguing.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” I hissed.
“Is that anyway to greet your boyfriend?”
What?
“Finn, we broke up. Remember?” I asked.
“Ashley, I let you have your little tantrum. Now it’s time to come home.”
My little tantrum? Holy shit. Red Flag Finn was delusional!
“I’m not going back to Dallas.” I crossed my arms over my chest.
“You have to,” he insisted. “I miss you.”
I glared instead of answering.
“I didn’t think you’d move so far away. I don’t like it.” He paused. “If you come back, I’ll get you your job back.”
I’m sure he thought he sounded charming, but to me he sounded nasally and whiny.
“I don’t give two flying fucks what you like.”
“Don’t talk to me like that.” He stepped closer.
I should’ve stepped back and created space, like John taught us in the women’s self-defense class; instead, I held my ground so Finn wouldn’t know I was afraid.
“You need to leave,” I ordered, but my voice wavered.
“I’m not leaving until you agree to come home.” He reached out and grabbed my wrist.
When I pulled it away and stepped back, I ran into something hard, unyielding, and growling.Growling?
