I end the call, growing tired of hearing his voice. The phone stays in my palm while I wonder if her new salary will fix whatever is going on. I should have done it a long time ago.
I can’t stop thinking about the package I left her. About the moment she opens it and realizes it came from me.
More than that, I want her to understand that when she needs something, she comes to me. Always.
CHAPTER SIX
SLOANE
The bellover the diner door chimes when I step inside, and Mandy’s already behind the counter wiping the surface when I walk in. As soon as she spots me, she gives me a concerned once-over.
“You okay?” she asks while I tie my apron, leaning in like we’re sharing a secret. “I can’t believe that prick from yesterday.”
But I don’t care about him. My thoughts are consumed with Milo.
“I’m fine.” I throw on a grin.
Mandy’s brows lift. “You don’t look fine.”
“Just didn’t sleep much.” I shrug, hoping it’s enough to make her drop it. I can’t afford to fall apart at work.
“Why not?”
“Just up all night thinking about all the bills I have due this month.”
It’s not exactly the truth, but it’s enough.
Mandy’s face softens immediately. “Sloane…do you need to borrow some money? You know I’m here for you, whatever you need.”
“Oh God, no,” I immediately say.
I would never borrow from anyone. But there is something she can help me with…
“You’re still working at the Whitlocks’ bed and breakfast, right?”
The Whitlocks are this wealthy family who run Blackthorn Ridge Ranch, and everyone around here knows their name. Most of them live on their huge ranch out in Texas, but they also have a smaller one here in New Jersey.
“Yep, I’m still there. Why?” She narrows her stare.
“I could really use a second job. Do you know if they’re hiring for just Fridays? I know that’s probably unlikely, but I figured I’d ask.”
“I can ask.”
“And they pay cash the same day, right?”
She nods. “Always, and they pay well.”
This would be so good for me.
“Oh my God,” she goes on. “Wouldn’t it be fun if we worked there together too? And what’s better than petting horses?”
She’s not wrong. And if I actually got a job there, maybe I could finally bring Milo around the ranch. His face flashes through my mind, the way he presses his hands to the car window whenever we pass Blackthorn Ridge like he can’t get close enough. He loves horses as much as I do.
I’ve driven by the ranch so many times, all that open space stretching out forever, and it looks like heaven. I’ve just never had a reason to go. If I’m honest, I’ve been avoiding people on purpose. The less I stand out, the fewer questions I get. The fewer questions I get, the harder it is for anyone to connect the dots back to my old life in New York.
“It would be fun,” I finally say, hoping I get the chance.
She’s about to add something else, but Mark steps out of the back office at that exact moment, pushing his glasses up his nose with a huff.
