“He’ll take it out of my paycheck," I answered with a shrug. "It doesn't matter though. I was horrible to you, and it’s the least Icando.”
She continued to watch me as I took her books to the register. I grabbed one of the larger plastic bags from beneath the counter and put them all inside before walking back over to her. I pretended not to notice Rainier’s eyes on me theentiretime.
Mrs. Bristol grabbed the bag from my hand. She looked over at Rainier before meeting my eyes again. "Thankyou."
I smiled at her as she left with her haul, hoping my dad wouldn’t be too angry. With the going out of business sale going on, I doubted it would make much of a difference. Besides, I was serious when I said I would pay for them if he was upset. I couldn’t explain it. I had just wanted to do something for that woman now that I had a small taste of losing someone I caredabout.
I couldn't even imagine the pain she must feel on a dailybasis.
When I walked back to the counter, Rainier got up from the chair he was sitting in. I didn’t take it but stood nexttohim.
“What was that all about?” heasked.
“Nothing. I just wanted todoit.”
“I should have stopped you, you know. You may be the boss’ daughter, but it was stillstealing.”
"Are you going to tellonme?"
"Michelle."
I turned to face him. "Areyou?"
When he didn't respond, I pulled out my phone. After dialing my dad and lifting the phone to my ears, I fixed my stare on him. I raised a single brow and put my free hand onmyhip.
“Princess?”
“Hey, daddy. I just wanted to let you know I gave one of your regular customers a stack of books and didn’t charge themforit.”
“Okay,” my dad’s voice came through thespeaker.
“I just wanted you to know that I stole them from you. Naturally, Rainier didn’tapprove.”
Rainier’s fingers tapped wildly against his leg, but he didn’t look away. Our gazes were locked in a stand-off. My dad sighed on the other end of the call. “Michelle, the store is closing in a couple of days. Use your best judgment. But I can't talkrightnow.”
I wasn’t sure what I expected my dad to say, but that wasn’t it. Honestly, I hadn’t known what I was going to say when I called my dad, but I was so incredibly frustrated I couldn't think straight. I didn’t know what to do. Ordinarily, I would lash out, but I didn’t want to do that to Rainier. Even this small retaliation feltwrong.
“You didn’t have to callyourdad.”
“I know I didn’t have to call him,” Isnapped.
"Then why did you?" The look Rainier gave me as he said this was too close to pity. I didn’t want him to feel sorry for me. That was the last thing Ineeded.
I was wrong when I thought I’d be able to make it through my last shift. I was wrong about a lot of things. I couldn't do itanymore.
“I gotta go.” I grabbed my purse off the counter and made my way pastRainier.
He grabbed my arm to stop me. “Wait. Where are yougoing?”
“Out. Home. Does itmatter?”
"The store doesn't close for two morehours."
"Then you better figure something out, becauseIquit."
I didn’t look back at him as I walked out of Between ThePages.
ChapterTwenty-Six
