“It’s the nickname we give to this place because it’s pretending to be a real store.”
The girl, Lafferty, grumbles, “Since six.”
“Are you pulling a twelve?”
She pouts. “Yeah. I think it’s a punishment for the stunt I pulled in the mess hall last Friday.”
“Probably. Do you have enough coffee to stay awake?”
“Of course!” She points to the shelf under the desk and, sure enough, it’s decked out with a kettle, cups, and instant coffee.
“Lafferty, this is Miss Girard.” Lafferty’s shoulders tighten, her lips pinch and she turns to stare at me. Her gaze is assessing for sure, though not threatening. She either takes her job seriously or she has an inkling of who I am.
“Hi.” I wave stupidly. She just nods and turns her attentionback to Aiden.
“We’re filling a cart for Miss Girard today. Whatever she wants. Throw on my discount too.”
Discount? For the first time, I have money. He doesn’t need to help. I try to stop Aiden. “You don’t have to…”
“I dragged you all the way out here, so the least I can do is offer you my discount,” Aiden insists. I notice the confusion on Lafferty’s face and wonder if he’s bullshitting me. If he is, he’s a pro. I don’t see any signs of deception.
“Okay. Thanks.”
“I’ll let you get started, and I’ll call Rutledge,” Aiden explains. Lafferty seems to understand what’s happening and comes around the counter to show me where the trolleys are.
“Your cart.” She points to a random solo trolley pushed up against the wall. “Women’s clothing.” She points to the far-left side of the warehouse. “Make-up and bath stuff is in the middle. Home decorating is behind that, and the big items are at the back, though you’ll need to call me to arrange delivery for those.”
“Great. Thank you.”
She hovers, staring at me. Her eyes narrow just before she asks, “Can I ask you a question?”
“Uh, sure?”
“There’s a rumour you’re staying at the compound with Aiden…uh…Captain Driscoll.” For asking something so damned personal, there’s no humility in her tone or expression. No shy or apologetic look-away. No conspiratorial whisper. She’s blunt. Pushy.
I tense. I expected her to ask why a civilian is shopping at a UACT outlet, not interrogate me about my living arrangements.
Instead of answering, I pick at her like I’m picking at a scab. Pointless but irritating. “What’s the question?” I ask.
She huffs. Almost rolls her eyes but catches herself at the last second. “Well, is it true?”
There’s no hesitation in my response. “No.”
She breathes a sigh of relief that makes me irrationally angry. “Oh good, I mean, there are always rumours about Aiden, he’s just so…” She stares across at him and smiles. “…you know.”
“Yeah, I know, but to correct your rumour, I’m staying at the compound with Dax Nagano and Aiden.”
Lafferty stiffens like I broke her. It takes her a minute to process my meaning. I watch it happen first-hand as it plays out on her face. First the frown, then the disappointment, then anger, and finally disgust. She sputters, clears her throat, and then snaps, “I’m sure you can find your own way around?”
“Absolutely.”
“Whore,” she mumbles as she walks away, but I was meant to hear it.
“Wannabe,” I fire back, clear as glass. No mumbling here. I’m pleased as hell when she spins to face me. “Problem? I ask.
“What did you just call me?”
“I assumed you were challenging me to a trade of insults. You really should annunciate though; I almost missed that cowardly little‘whore’.” I dismiss her, pushing my trolley to the back of the lot and listening in case she chooses to follow me. She doesn’t, and I’m glad. I might stand a chance against a woman my own height, but I need to remember she’s likely UACT-trained. My temper got the better of me. Or maybe my jealousy.
