“Yeah, if you want it.”
It took effort not to do a little happy dance in her chair. Ruby knew that wouldn’t be very professional, but she couldn’t deny that she was thrilled with the way that this went. Money was getting so tight that she was starting to panic. Even though Michelle wasn’t planning to charge her rent, Ruby didn’t want to stay with her friend without chipping in something for bills. By earning tips, she could have something to give to Michelle by the end of the week.
“I’ll take it,” she said.
“Good. I have a good feeling about you. I hope I’m right this time.”
“Bad track record with new hires?”
Stevie shrugged, but it didn’t seem as nonchalant as she probably intended. “Just the last one. You’re replacing him because he was caught stealing last night.”
“You don’t have to worry about that from me.”
“Good. The boss wouldn’t like that.”
Was Ruby imagining the ominous tone in Stevie’s voice?
She couldn’t be sure, but she figured it was just because of how serious stealing from your work was. What boss would be happy about that?
She was given a nametag and details about what to wear that night. There was a spring in her step as she walked out of the restaurant. Getting into her little Volkswagen Beetle, she drove back to Michelle’s apartment and practically burst through the door, eager to share the good news.
Michelle worked from home as a website designer, and she was sitting at her desk in the corner of the living room. Ruby suspected that her friend used to use the guest bedroom as an office but moved her desk out of there so that Ruby could have her own space. It was all the more reason to save up quickly that get her own place.
Michelle jumped in surprise at Ruby’s sudden entrance, her chair rolling backward across the hardwood floor as she turned toward the door with wild eyes.
“Guess what?” Ruby said as she came into the apartment.
“You got the job?”
“I got the job!”
Michelle was out of her seat in seconds, hugging Ruby with a huge smile on her face. “I told you things would work out if you just stayed positive.”
“I start tonight.”
“Tonight? Already?”
“They want me up to speed as soon as possible. I guess they had to unexpectedly fire someone for stealing.”
Michelle wrinkled her nose in distaste. “That’s pretty shitty of him, but I guess it worked out for you. Let’s have a drink.”
Ruby laughed as Michelle scurried into the kitchen, following close behind her. “It’s eleven in the morning.”
“Then, I’ll make mimosas. You deserve to celebrate, especially if you start tonight.”
“Well, I can’t argue with that. But let’s make it brunch. I’ll whip up some pancakes while you make the drinks.”
Ruby was still determined to leave Michelle’s small apartment as soon as she could, to stand on her own two feet, but for now, she was going to enjoy a small celebration with her friend, look forward to this fresh start that she so desperately needed.
3
OWEN
Anger made him grind his teeth together as he turned down a street in a bad neighborhood. The houses here were run down and practically falling apart. The city neglected this area, so the road had potholes he had to dodge and the sidewalks were in terrible condition. There was litter on the ground, not that anyone cared about that kind of thing here.
“Which house is it?” he asked Declan, who was just as pissed off and sitting in the passenger seat.
“Last one this block, on the right.”
