“I’m Carter.”
“Nice to meet you,” she says politely, disappearing behind her mug. “Are you a student, too?”
“Hell no! Never set foot in the place. I mean, I have—but not for class, if you get me. Don’t let the lame attempt at a beard fool you. I’m twenty-four.”
She smiles, blowing on her coffee.
“So Lane tells me you’re homeless?”
The smile vanishes, and she shoots me a dirty look before turning back to my friend.
“Temporarily.” She sighs.
“What are your options?”
She takes a quick sip. “Well, all the dorms are gone, so today I plan on widening my search. What with the fire at the motel, every place in town within my budget is full with guests, so—”
“So you’re kinda in a bad spot.”
“Just a little,” I mutter sarcastically.
“It’ll be okay,” she replies.
“Can your family help out?”
Damn, chatty much? He’s asked her more questions in two minutes than I have in a whole four days!
“No,” she says too quickly. “They’re in Fort Myers, in Florida. They have other stuff going on. I’ll figure something out.”
She’s holding back, I can tell—but who am I to judge?
She puts down her mug on the table, and I watch her for a minute, ignoring Cart’s questioning gaze.
“Okay!” She leaps to her feet. “I’m going to go find somewhere with Wi-Fi; I’ll leave you guys to it. Can I… Can I leave my stuff with you for a few more hours, Lane?”
“What’s a few more hours between friends,” I drawl.
“Thank you.”
“Why can’t she just use your Wi-Fi?”
“Carter…”
“Come on, Laney! We can’t let her spend ten bucks on a fancy coffee just to get online for an hour!”
“We’ve got work to do, remember?”
“No shit,” he teases, leaning over the table. “Well, how about that…Nowyou’re in the mood for work?”
“Honestly, it’s f-fine,” Lois stutters awkwardly.
“Once we’re done, we can help you out,” Carter pushes, shooting me a look. “Plus, it’s pouring outside!”
The blinds are still half shut, and opening them all the way, I have to admit he has a point. I sigh. They’ve backed me into a corner. I don’t want her here because… Well, because. But a part of me knows I’m being irrational.
“You can have the coffee table,” I hear myself conceding. “For now.”
Lois doesn’t notice, but Carter is pumping a fist in the air.
