“Yeah.”
“And your father?”
“Still thinks I’m the city’s biggest fucking disappointment. Some things don’t change.”
O grunts. “Figures.”
He glances at me. “Full moon’s over.”
Jax rolls his eyes.
O ignores him.
I frown. “What does the moon have to do with anything? What’s the big deal? Jax is always bringing it up and never tells me why.”
O looks at Jax. “You haven’t told her?”
“Told me what?” I ask, setting my cup down.
Jax sighs, running a hand through his hair. “She knows about some of it.”
“Some of it?” I press, my voice sharp.
O sighs. “The tar gets restless when the moon’s full.” He shrugs. “Same thing the moon does to the ocean. Pulls the tides.” He taps his mug. “Only here… it pulls the tar.”
Before I can ask more, Jax suddenly straightens, cutting the conversation off at the knees. “Actually,” he says, looking at O, “I wanted to ask you something.”
O narrows his eyes. “That never ends well.”
Jax gestures toward me. “She needs a job.”
O studies me for a long moment. Then Jax. Then back to me.
“Temporary,” Jax adds quickly. “Until she gets on her feet.”
O scratches his beard. “Well that’s a terrible idea.”
“Come on.”
“Why here?” O asks, his gaze sharp.
“Because she’s smart,” Jax says. “She needs the money, and you need someone who can actually organize this mess.”
O leans back in his chair, the old wood groaning in protest. “You realize I barely make enough to keep the lights on, right?”
“I know,” Jax tells him.
O sighs again. He points a grubby finger at me. “Can you tell a real watch from a fake one?”
“Probably not,” I answer.
“Good. Honesty.” He squints at me, thinking. “Alright.”
My eyes widen. “Really?”
“Come back tomorrow,” he says. “Seven sharp. Don’t be late, I don’t like waiting.” He gestures around the cluttered shop.“I’ll show you how things work. Where the good stuff is hidden, where the junk goes to die.” He looks almost apologetic. “Can’t pay much.”
“That’s okay,” I say quickly, a wave of relief washing over me.
