I barely have anything saved to see my parents, but my share of money in our joint account might be enough to get me a one-way ticket out of here.
I can’t do this anymore.
Out in the street, the empty space where my car should be taunts me.
Caleb stole it.
That asshole.
Forced to walk to work, I’m sweaty and exhausted by the time I arrive.
I sprint to one of the shower rooms and wash quickly until I’m presentable enough that Jen won’t have any complaints.
No clean clothes means borrowing scrubs from the closet, but I fill out the paperwork so Jen can’t accuse me of stealing, then I head to work.
The day passes slowly.
Like most arguments with Caleb, I’m left with an odd hangover that makes my neck ache and my thoughts run slow, but there’s one good thing about my day.
Xander.
I only see him once in the corridor, but he holds my gaze as he passes and it makes me feel seen.
He was likely being polite, but I cling to it throughout my shift because the look he gave me was the same in my dream.
Thinking about that makes me warm all over and I need something to get me through the day.
“Noelle?” Jen’s raspy voice drags me from my spreadsheet of patient information.
I glance up, ready to give her my usual withering look, but I falter at the sight of two cops standing behind her.
“What’s up?”
“These officers need to speak with you,” Jen says, barely hiding her glee.
Not only has she brought police right to my desk, but she looks poised to linger so she hears every word.
“Miss Montoya?” One of the cops adjusts his stance.
“Yes?”
“Is there somewhere we can go to speak privately?”
My heart starts to pound even as Jen barely conceals her disappointment.
“Uh… sure, yeah. We can use one of the empty patient rooms. Follow me.” My ankle catches on the leg of my chair as I stand, and heat warms my cheeks as I walk around the desk.
Leading the way to the nearest empty room, my mind races.
Is this about the call I made last night?
I hung up without speaking to anyone, but would that get me into trouble?
Maybe someone saw me climbing out of my window and thought I was robbing the place.
Inside the empty patient room, I close the door after the two cops enter and then face them, fighting to keep myself calm. “Have I done something wrong?”
“Miss Montoya, are you familiar with a Mr. Stern?”
