“Like padding your bra with socks.”
I readjust the girls. “Never needed to do that.”
“Lucky you! So, you’re green with monster teeth, but not Frankenstein or Santa Claus with a hangover. I give. What are you supposed to be?”
I pull at the uniform that’s made of some material I’ve never seen before. Like leather, but really thin. “An alien.”
“Pff,” she blows out air, even as she touches the metal spikes on the uniform’s shoulders. “The only aliens on Earth are red and blue. Not green.”
“The grud who invaded were green.”
“No one wants to remember those beasts. The aliens the Galactic Alliance sends here are scary enough with their horns.”
“Horns?”
“Damn, Kenzie, you need to get out more. When you’re not working, you turn into a hermit in your apartment.”
“It’s safe. Calm.”
“You’ll never meet anyone sitting at home.”
“Which is why I’m going to Josh’s party.”
“You’re only going because I twisted your arm.”
I spent my childhood locked up indoors. Being in social situations with more than two or three people makes me nervous. I can handle tons of patients with massive injuries pouring into the E/R, but a room full of people making chit-chat is nerve-wracking.
“Stop changing the subject. Where did you see aliens?”
“At the Keshi Pearl Hotel.”
“The Keshi.” I whistle low. “That’s a fancy hotel.”
“Definitely expensive. I worked the Valentine’s Day Ball. Politicians, military, big wigs in the private sector. Lot of money spent on a bunch of higher ups. The aliens were VIPs from the embassies. Ambassadors, cultural advisors, that type of thing. Blue and red, Kenz. No green.”
“Why didn’t you ever tell me you worked at the Keshi? I mean, that’s big, Tammi. They only hire the best of the best.”
The instant she turns her head away from me, I know the answer.
“Rob caused a scene, didn’t he? Got you fired?”
She swallows and nods. I hold her hand and give a slight squeeze. “I’m sorry. Working at a place like that was your dream job.”
We fall silent as the bus turns off the main road, down a side-street. Another damn detour while they repair more of the main roads.
“A week after the ball,” Tammi suddenly starts explaining, “Rob showed up and yelled at me in front of a bunch of guests. My manager fired me on the spot.”
“That’s not the first time he’s pulled that crap to get you fired. Earning your own money makes you harder to control. You need to get away from him.”
“I know,” Tammi says, wringing her hands in her lap.
“We’ll figure it out. Tomorrow, okay? Tonight, we enjoy ourselves.” I straighten her chef’s hat. “Though using your uniform as a costume is kind of lame, darlin’. You should have at least brought some cookies along for the party, for authenticity’s sake,” I tease her, hoping to lift her spirits.
“You’ll say anything to get me to bake for you.”
“What’s your point?” I can blame at least ten pounds on her baking. The rest is on me for not making the time to eat better or exercise.
“I’ll bake you a special batch of cookies next week. And it’s not a costume. I’m catering a Halloween bash at a general’s home in the Hills.”
