I am going to sleep over at Leo’s tonight.
I love how she just informs me and doesn’t ask for permission.
She’s only sixteen, and it’s a Monday night. I probably shouldn’t let her sleep at her boyfriend’s place. My mom would definitely disapprove. However, if I come across as strict now,she might just do it secretly without telling me. It’s not as if I am home half the night to see if she stays there.
“Mi dispiace,Mama,” I whisper, looking up at the ceiling before sending her a thumbs-up emoji in response.
Sophia looks up from her desk and asks, “Did you say something?”
I quickly put my phone in my back pocket, replying, “Oh, nothing. Hey, how are you?”
I place my backpack behind my desk, but as I look up, I’m surprised to see the bouquet of flowers that Josh got me yesterday on my desk. I can’t help but smile and reach out to touch them.
Sophia notices my reaction and teases, “He made sure I took them with me since you forgot them yesterday.”
“Thank you, they are so beautiful,” I say, admiring the flowers.
“They are. Joshy did an awesome job. He’s considerate and loving, and any girl would be happy to have his attention,” she says.
Taking my seat behind the desk, I say, “I can see that. He’ll make someone happy one day.”
Sophia’s smile widens as she says, “Well, consider yourself happy.”
“Wait, what?” I give her a puzzled look, but she smiles and takes a sip from the mug I made.
“Oh, I got your paycheck from HR. I hope you don’t mind. I had to go up there anyway to sort out your contract for after college.” She nods toward an envelope on my desk.
I take it and open it carefully. When I pull out the check, I freeze. My heart races, and I feel like I might be sick.
“Are you okay? You look a little pale,” she says, a touch of humor in her tone.
This paycheck is three times the amount I earned at the bagel café. Together with what I earn from the bar and maybe a few Saturdays at Xander’s, I can easily cover the rent and all the expenses for the new year and buy Chiara the laptop she needs for Christmas.
Tears well up in my eyes, and I can’t hold them back as one rolls down my cheek. Rent was already due last Friday, and I had to ask for an extension and the option to pay in installments. But now, I can pay it in full and even buy some extra groceries beyond just the necessities.
Through my watery laughter, I manage to say, “Fuck.”
Sophia looks at me with understanding and a hint of sadness in her eyes, but she also smiles warmly. “You deserve it, Carolina. It’s a pleasure to work with you.”
Headquarters is bustling with people,as usual. We just returned from a case where a kid got his arm stuck in a candy machine. Our role was just to stand there and make sure the firefighters could work without being bothered by the curious onlookers who had gathered.
“I thought stuff like that only happens in movies.” Clay chuckles.
“Mm-hmm…” I mutter, not fully present at the moment.
My mind is still preoccupied withher.Ever since I first saw her, she’s captivated me, and the attraction only grew stronger with each witty response and every mesmerizing gaze she directed my way.
But since yesterday…
Since I heard her laugh, saw her playful side, and felt her soft skin against mine…I’m a goner.
But is she really okay? I want to ask every time I see her, but it’s too soon. We’re still getting to know each other.
Clay isn’t wrong with his nickname for her. She’s like a black cat. You have to earn her trust and affection. And I’m more than ready for that challenge. I just hope she sees it too, and feels the same pull.
I can’t help but wonder if she’s ever had someone truly care for her, someone who would fight for her, protect her. Maybe, just maybe, she might let me be that person.
We greet some other officers while we make our way down to the lab to get the girls to go eat something with us.
