“Ruth. How could I forget?” Gia deadpanned.
“Oh, don’t be like that. Those were good times.” Ruth stopped a foot away from where they stood. “Well, what brings you back to town?”
“I’m just here?—”
“Oh my God, are they shooting your next movie in Willowbrook?” Out of the corner of her eye, Gia saw Marley flinch at the screech.
“Um. No. Definitely not.”
“Oh.” Ruth deflated. “Well, we should get together soon. Grab a coffee and catch up. Just like old times.”
Not in this lifetime. Or the next.
But before Gia could respond, Marley pulled on her arm and led her away.
“Sorry, Ruth, but Gia and I have to get going. We have a project and we’re running behind.”
She threw Ruth an apologetic smile even as she was applauding Marley’s fast thinking.
After checking out, Gia settled in the car and cast an appreciative glance at Marley.
“Thanks for the save, Marley.”
“Oh, that? That was nothing.” Marley waved her hand dismissively.
“Ruth is such a bitch.” Gia gasped. “Shit. I mean, don’t swear.”
Marley smiled widely.
“It’s okay to swear. I do it all the time.”
“You do?”
“Well… not when Jake’s around.”
Gia laughed.
“Don’t tell him I swore or he’ll never let you be around me again.”
“He won’t be mad.”
The sounds of the radio played softly through the speakers as they made their way back to Griffin’s.
“So, what’s the plan, boss?” Marley asked.
“Okay, so here’s what we’re going to do…”
Gia navigated back to the auto shop. By the time they made it back to Griffin’s, the shop was closed.
“All right, now is probably a good time to figure out the plan,” she said, tossing a glance at Marley.
She pulled the car into the lot and found a parking spot around the back of the building.
“Okay, so Operation Tuna Melt—” Marley began.
“Wait, Operation Tuna Melt?” She turned to look at Marley.
“Yeah…”
