Tad came back and Kalista ordered a salad. Considering her trim figure, no surprise there. “What brings you to Clementine?” Jade asked.
“How did you know I’m not from here?”
Jade smiled. “Your accent,” she said, deciding on the most benign and recognizable feature. “Or lack of one, I should say.”
“People do talk funny around here.” Kalista took a sip of the water Tad had brought. “And slow. Really slow.”
“It’s the Southern drawl.”
“You don’t have one. Where are you from?”
“Atlanta.” There were so many transplants in her company from other parts of the country, she was rarely around a true drawl anymore. And there was no reason to tell Kalista that Arkansas was her home state. She didn’t belong here anymore, and as soon as she finished her business with Sebastian and found out what was going on with Logan, she would rush back to Georgia. She had no intention of staying here any longer than necessary. “I’ll be returning home soon.”
“I’m from LA. After my stepmother gets married in August, I’ll go back to California. Until then...” She sighed. “I’m stuck here.”
If she was only going to be here for the summer, why did she apply for a job? Unless it was an internship. That made sense. “How did your interview go?”
Their food showed up and they both started eating. “I got the job,” Kalista said, “such as it is.”
“That’s great. What will you be doing?”
“Delivering newspapers.”
“You’re working in distribution?”
“No, I’m delivering newspapers.” She made a small throwing motion with her left hand. “You know, chucking them out the window and onto porches.”
Which was distribution, but Jade didn’t want to embarrass her by telling her that. She’d figure it out soon enough. She was surprised, though. Kalista seemed more suited for a cub reporter or sales rep.
“It’s not exactly what I thought my first job would be.” Kalista sighed. “But it’s only for the summer. It’s going to be a drag having to get up so early, though.”
Jade dipped a chicken finger into the honey mustard cup and took a bite. Yum. “What grade are you in?”
Her eyes narrowed. “I’m literally eighteen. I graduated a couple weeks ago.”
Oops. “Sorry. You sound, er, look so young.”
Kalista stabbed at a crouton, a little pacified. “Viv wouldn’t let me put on makeup. She didn’t want me to be late for the interview.” She chewed on the crunchy bread square and swallowed. “She was right. I barely made it on time.”
As they ate, an awkward silence fell between them. Kalista didn’t seem interested in finding out more about Jade, and Jade was too distracted to carry the conversation. When her phone rang again, she was relieved. “I need to get that.”
Kalista pushed her half-eaten salad away. “I’m done anyway.” She opened her purse, but Jade waved her off.
“My treat.”
Kalista scowled. “I’m not poor, you know. I can afford my own lunch.”
Jade took out her phone, forcing an even tone. “I apologize.”
Kalista opened her wallet and dropped a few bills on the table, then got up.
Jade frowned, her sympathy diminishing. “Have a nice day,” she said.
Kalista gave a curt nod and left.
Oh well. Jade looked at the screen and saw Charlotte’s name. She quickly answered. “Hey,” she said, wiping up the remnant of ketchup on her plate with the last french fry. “Everything okay at work?”
“Work’s fine. Dull as always. So, how’s it going with your ex?”
