“Seriously, Kira?—”
“You’ll have to work soon enough. Just let me handle it, okay?” I put on my bravest smile. My bravest Gemmy smile. The smile I reserve strictly for her because I can’t seem to drag it out anywhere else. “We got this, I promise.”
As always, she’s not convinced, but I think she knows I need her to keep going almost a little too badly. Otherwise, what was all this for?
“Love you!” She hugs me on the way out, backpack flung over her shoulder, another waffle between her teeth.
“Say hello to Vonnie for me, okay? And text when you get to campus!”
“Will do. Later!”
I watch her disappear down the hall. A few doors over, Mrs. Walker pokes her head out. “You’re being too loud,” the old woman says, scowling.
“Morning to you too, Mrs. Walker.” I show her my teeth and mutter,your cats are going to eat your corpse one dayunder my breath as I retreat back into the apartment.
Quiet hits me hard. I look at the clock and bury the urge to curl up in a ball.
Two-hour power nap and back at it.
I can do this. I can do this. I really, really can do this.
“Is that dog hair?”Pam’s nose wrinkles as she picks at my shirt.
“I know, I’m so sorry. I didn’t have time for laundry and had to come straight here from the groomer’s after checking on Gem and making dinner.” I toss my bag down on the bench and strap on my comfy work shoes. “How’s everyone holding up?”
“We’re all fine. It’s you I’m worried about. I really thought you’d take more time off after a few nights ago.”
“I need the shift.” I shrug, getting up and stretching. “Besides, my nose is all healed. I bounce back easily.”
Pam doesn’t look convinced, but at least she hands me a double-sized coffee, lots of cream, an obscene amount of sugar, just how I like it. “Rocket fuel. We got this.”
“We always do.” I chug half of it down and burn my tongue. “Let’s go get paid.”
But before I can march out there, Pam touches my arm. She hesitates, glancing toward the booth in the front of the house near the window. I follow her gaze and go very still.
He’s back.
Not the bald asshole or any of his friends.
But Stellan.
He’s leaning casually back against the booth, flicking at his phone. He seems bored. An untouched plate of eggs and toast is pushed into the middle of the table. Black coffee sits at his elbow. He’s in a pair of black slacks and a dark brown sweater. It clings to his muscular chest and looks good with his sandy-colored hair. His gold watch glitters in the fluorescent light. I bet his shoes are worth more than what I’ll earn this shift. He’s shockingly beautiful and all wrong for this dump.
“Did you talk to him?” I ask, slightly breathless.
Pam shakes her head. “Just the usual. Thanked him for what he did, and he barely even acknowledged it. Seemed uninterested in chatting.”
I swallow the urge to say,did he ask about me?
“He’s harmless. I’m not worried about it.”
“Not sure he’s harmless, but he’s definitely something. You sure you don’t want to go out with him?”
“Positive. You know me.”
“Yeah, no time for a life. How’s Gemmy doing, anyway?”
“Applied to Princeton.”
