I debated whether or not that was worth an answer, when he started suggestively licking his donut. All the guys groaned and left the office. I sat down at my desk and unpacked my supplies for the day, trying to ignore the noises Landon was making. Once he was satisfied he wasn’t going to get another reaction out of me, he went back to his bay.
I decided to message Nora to see if she needed anything. Tonight was one of the nights she usually worked, and I could go over there now if she was willing to pick me up.
Me: Hey chick, you still need me tonight?
Nora: You should be resting. Don’t tell me you’re back at work.
Me: Of course I’m at work, where else would I be? *ten smiley faces*
Nora: So, I guess I need to fess up eventually.
Me: Yes?
Nora: Mason is on babysitting duty tonight. He asked me if I needed someone. Please don’t be mad.
Oh I was mad all right. I could babysit without a problem. Why did she keep saying I should rest? My arm was fine.
Nora: You’re mad, aren’t you? Why are you not texting back?
Nora: Estrella?
Me: I’m not mad, just disappointed.
Nora: Now I know that you’re definitely mad.
Me: I’m still coming over. This is my gig. And Mason doesn’t even like kids.
Nora: You can both come over. The kids will love it. I can’t just cancel on Mason. I’d feel terrible that he already changed his plans only to cancel on him last minute. And he seems to like being with the kids.
Me: Fine. But I’m in charge.
Nora: K. I’ll see you soon.
Damn it all, I forgot to ask her to pick me up early. Guess I had to wait for Mason to put down his tools and come and get me.
I needed to find a way to get over this ridiculous crush I had developed. If only he put a paper bag over his head and never talked to me again that plan could be put in motion much easier.
The office was too quiet and there was no noise coming from the garage. The noise level was usually enough to have to turn the volume on my phone up to the highest setting so I could hear it ring. But once the guys were gone for the day it went quiet. The sudden silence felt deafening.
My phone pinged with an incoming text and I opened it, hoping it was Willa. It wasn’t. The message was from my mother who was saved in my phone book underdon’t pick up.
Don’t pick up: I think you have been slumming it long enough. Time to come home.
My thumb hovered over the keypad. If I replied, she would think she finally got to me. If I ignored her, she might send someone worse than the last guy to come and get me. I mulled over my options and finally started typing out a message.
Me: I’m not coming home. You can stop sending your lackeys.
Don’t pick up: I expect to see you at dinner tomorrow.
A jolt went through me at the thought of dinner. It was a big night for her campaign, and since she was still going with the wholesome, loving family picture for her voters, I was expected to be there. It had been planned since she first started her campaign. When she first told me about it, I figured her assistant would remind me. But since we hadn’t been in touch in a while I forgot it was happening.
Me: I don’t think I’ll be able to make it.
Don’t pick up: You’ll show up or your little friend and her kids will be without a place to live.
How the hell did she know I was friends with Nora? I never talked to her about anything other than the campaign, at least when I was still talking to her. I swallowed to dislodge the lump in my throat. This was bad. She never made outright threats.
I had to make sure Nora was okay. She had gone through enough and didn’t need to worry about a place to sleep at night. I guess I was going to her fucked-up dinner tomorrow.
