Perfect. I’ll email when I land and let you know where I’m staying.
I don’t reply.
“You doin’ work or somethin’?” Vocal cords that sound like they've been ravaged by decades of cigarette use shock me.
“Just looking for work,” I reply, careful to close any tabs that show personal information.
The woman hangs over my shoulder. “No work ’round here ’less you know how to cater to the rich folk.”
I nod, practically choking on the smell of cigarettes that follows her like her own personal aura.
“You from here?”
“No,” I answer, already sick of this line of questioning. “I’ve had a rough day. Think I’m gonna go to sleep now.” I close my laptop and tuck it against my chest, spooning it in the fetal position on the lumpy cot. The slow throb that’s been pressing at my skull escalates to a freight train as my vision begins to waver and blur.
“Friendly much? Geez, you city folk are all the same.”
“Whatever,” I whisper.
“Come again?” My neighbor leans closer.
“Name’s Maya,” I spit. “Nice to meet you.”
“There are those manners. I’m Gertie. Nice to meet you,city girl.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
“You look great.” Kelly waits for me to stand from my chair in the Drip Drop. When I don’t, she bends and offers me an awkward hug. She sticks out like a sore thumb in this place. Her old Louis Vuitton tote bag is coming apart at the seams, and the vibrant red fur collar that’s wrapped around her neck is more Vegas showgirl than Tahoe ski bunny.
Despite my aversion to her outdated style, I offer a smile and a quick hug.
“You look wonderful. Did you have a good flight?” I say the thing one is supposed to say in this moment.
“Oh, it was great. I loved seeing the mountains when we came in. What brought you to Tahoe?”
“I was going to head home to LA, but then I saw the direct flight to Tahoe and I thought a little detour to the mountains might be fun.”
“I guess so. I love how spontaneous you are lately.” Her smile is warm, her eyes holding mine as she sits and unfurls the red fur from her neck. I flash back to Dean’s lifeless eyes as I choked him with my gasoline-soaked scarf, and then I instantlypush the thought from my skull. The dark daydreams have been plaguing me more than usual lately, so much so that I’ve been toying with the idea of asking Kelly if she thinks I should be on some sort of medication.
“I’m trying to master the art of self-care,” I offer cheerfully.
“Well, that can’t be easy. You’ve been through so much the last few weeks.” Kelly points to the counter. “Did you order? Can I get you something?”
“No, I’ve had enough coffee today.”
“Okay, give me a minute.” She stands and moves to the counter to order.
She’s so nice, I wonder what she sees in me.
“So, tell me all about Chicago. Did you enjoy yourself?” She’s back, folding her scarf in her lap and using it like a blanket to offer her some warmth. We’re both LA girls and so out of our element in the cold mountain climate.
“Chicago was okay. City life isn’t for me. I like the energy, but all the concrete just gets to feeling oppressive. I’m loving the fresh mountain air.”
“I bet, such a change of scenery. And the men all have beards and mountain boots. It’s so sexy.”
“Oh, lookin’ for a hot date, are we?” I’m teasing her, and it’s starting to feel a little more like a friendship.
“If the opportunity presents itself.” She shrugs flirtatiously, and it makes me giggle. “We should grab dinner and a drink tonight. Have you been anywhere nice?”
