“Per hour.” She jabs her finger at a sign on the wall setting out the extortionate costs.
I definitely can’t afford to stay here all day. I have a total of eighteen dollars and twelve cents in my pocket. I’ll need food.
If I can get myself a shift somewhere this evening that pays cash and bust my ass for tips, I might be able to grab a cheap motel for the night.
I count out three dollars carefully, and the librarian holds her hand well below mine so we don’t touch as the coins change hands. She points to the bank of computers, retreating into the back room before I can ask for help.
It’s been years since I used a computer. I barely remember how, but all I need to do is find the search, type in what I need, and write down the results. Easy peasy. It’ll narrow down the list of places from an endless amount to ones with actual vacancies, and I can focus on them.
A few minutes later, I wave down the reluctant librarian after some significant arm waving and pitiful looks. She fingers her pearls, keeping a distance between us as she gingerly peers in towards the screen. “Yes?”
“Excuse me,” I say with a smile, “I can’t seem to get onto the search?”
She rolls her eyes. “You need to log in,” she says pointedly.
My smile starts to feel a little wooden. “And how would I do that?”
“With an e-mail address and password.”
She talks incredibly slowly like I’m a child, but I still blink. “I… don’t have one of those.”
She shrugs. “Sorry. You’ll need one to use the computer.”
My eyes move between her and the computer, the stupid screen blinking at me as it asks for information I don’t have. “So… I can’t use it?”
“It doesn’t seem that way.” She snaps off the end of her sentence.
“Can I have my money back then, please?”
She coughs. “No refunds. It says on the wall.”
“But I didn’t get to use it!”
“You switched it on,” she says haughtily. “Not our fault you weren’t able to access what you wanted. You’ve been using it for ten minutes, and we don’t give partial refunds.”
Breathe, Gabby. Just breathe.
“I… okay,” I say in defeat. “Thanks.”
For nothing.
So much for finding a job here. On foot it is.
After sliding past the librarian with my teeth bared in some semblance of a smile, I find myself back outside on the street. This neighborhood has dozens of bars, shops, and restaurants.
Surely, someone will hire me.
ChapterSix
Cade
My hands tap on my leg as I read through the contract, flipping pages over as my eyes skim the legalese, checking for errors or any last-minute changes the other firm might have slipped in, trying to pull a fast one.
My attention isn't fully where it needs to be, my eyes flicking between the complex confidentiality agreement and the folder on my desk.
My secretary, Sarah, fidgets in place as she waits opposite my desk for a response.
“What do you think?” I ask her suddenly, and she splutters.
