"So…you'd probably ruin your shoes...or whatever."
I looked down at my basic black sneakers. If Ryder hadn't stuffed them into the duffel, I'd be shit out of luck – not because I was worried about ruined shoes, but because only a douche wore jeans with Italian loafers. "Don't worry, grease isn't a problem."
"And you really think you could handle it?"
"Me?" I shrugged. "I can handle anything."
She blew out a long, shaky breath. "If I ask you something, will you be honest?"
I knew a trap when I saw it, and I wasn't about to commit to anything until I heard more. "What's the question?"
"Why would youwantto work here?" Her next words came out quieter. "I mean, if you're doing this out of pity – "
"Which I'm not."
She hesitated. "But why else would you?"
"Alright, you want the truth?"
She nodded.
"For reasons that I'm not gonna get into, I'm stuck here for a month. My place sucks, and I've got nearly no cash. If I help out here, I can kill time, earn some grub, and see some of the island. It's a good deal for both of us."
She didn't answer, but her eyes said it all. She wanted to say yes. She just didn't dare.
Apparently, she needed a push, and I was just the guy to give it. "Say yes." I smiled. "You know you want to."
She let out a soft chuckle. "I must be crazy, but…well, yes."
14
Breaking News, Franny Style
Maisie
It was just after nine when I reached my own front porch. My head was still spinning from a day that somehow felt lighter – and shorter – even though I'd clocked nearly twelve hours at the shop.
To my surprise, Griff had wanted to start right away – not even first thing tomorrow, but right after our interview, if you could even call it that.
Surprised or not, I sure as heck hadn't complained. Unlike yesterday, I hadn't had to do everything alone, and it was amazing how one surprise employee could make such a difference.
Now, even my bike felt lighter as I began hauling it up the front steps, only to freeze in confusion as I reached the top.
I leaned sideways and squinted toward the front window.Strange.I could've sworn I'd seen a rustle in the blinds, like someone had just peeked out.
Tessa?
If so, that was new. We both lived here, sure, but it wasn't like either one of us waited by the window for the other to come home. We weren't those kinds of roommates. At least not yet.
Then again, we'd stayed up until nearly two in the morning last night, talking over those tiny bottles of booze.So maybe something had shifted?
I tucked my bike into its usual spot on the porch and opened the front door to find Tessa standing just inside, like she'd beenwaiting there for hours. This couldn't be true, of course, because those blinds hadn't rustled themselves.
I lifted a hand in an awkward wave. "Hey."
She smiled like she knew something I didn't. "So…how was work?"
Something was definitely up. "Fine. Why?"
