Page 41 of King of Temptation

Kendall shifts. “Think I could get a job there?”

Kendall is a leggy brunette with solid dance skills, but she has a tendency to blow jobs up with her outrageous behavior. I’ve only been there a few days, but I’ve already heard that Leo keeps a strict behavior policy. I look at Chandra. “You ask?”

Chandra nods. “Mr. Kincaid didn’t really answer but maybe if you asked.…”

I give a little nod. I don’t really like hitting Leo up for too many favors. I know he’d hire her if I asked, I sense it. But I’m also becoming more dependent on him in a way that makes me nervous. People I depend on don’t exactly stick around in my life. “I’ll ask.”

Kendall gives me a relieved smile. “That’s great. Thanks. With Danielle moving out…”

Chandra bumps Kendall, like she wasn’t supposed to say anything. My stomach flutters with a bit of nerves. “Danielle’s moving out?”

“Yeah,” Chandra shrugs. “She got engaged and Dave doesn’t like her living here. He wants her to move in with him.”

I can imagine. Like I already mentioned, he’s had to kick a few creeps out. “I’ll talk to Leo today.”

“Thanks,” Kendall nods. “It would be great for all of us to make more money. Our lease is up next month.”

Chandra gives Kendall another look. I’m not always the quickest with this stuff, but even I’ve scented the problem. We’ll be three in a four-bedroom. “You guys don’t want to stay here?”

Chandra is giving Kendall the shut-up face, that turns into a wince as she looks at me. “Well, you’re leaving too, right? After Christmas? And then it will just be me and Kendall. We don’t really want two new roommates.”

I stare at them, my mouth dropping open. Did Kendall just ask me to get her a better paying job so they can afford a place without me? “Did you two find a place already?” I ask it casually, but inwardly I’m freaking out. I just got my feet under me. I finally have a little money, and now I’m going to have no place to live? I cannot catch a break.

I swear, this is why I think I might be everything guys have lobbed at me the past few years. Trash. Hot mess. I can’t seem to keep my life together for five minutes.

They both have the decency to look guilty. I turn, done with this conversation, as I start for my room again. “You’ll still ask about the job, right?” Kendall calls.

“You’re so stupid,” I hear Chandra snark. “You weren’t supposed to tell her.”

I roll my eyes even as my stomach twists. What am I going to do? Sitting on my bed, my head hangs down. Why does everything have to turn to crap, the second one good thing happens?

My phone chimes and I look down to see Charlotte’s name pop up on my screen. Crappy as today is, I smile to see her name.

She’s asking me how I’m doing and without thinking, I text her what happened with Chandra and Kendall.

A second later, she calls. I pick up, determined to not weigh her down with my problems. “Hey, how’s married life?”

“It’s really good,” I can hear her smile through the phone and I’m so happy for her. “But that’s not why I called.”

“Oh.”

“I wanted to check on you and clearly my timing was spot on. I’m not surprised they are doing that to you. They were always bitches.”

“Thanks,” I whisper.

“I know the place is total crap, but I still have four months on my old lease if you need somewhere to crash.”

I stare at the phone, relief making my shoulders limp. Charlotte had this tiny studio in a really shit neighborhood but it’s like the answer to a prayer now. I could live alone and not go through all my money. Money I’ll need for when I move. “Oh my God, you’re serious? That would be amazing.”

“I’m serious. Why don’t we have lunch this week and I’ll give you the keys?”

“Charlotte, seriously. Thank you.”

“For you? Anything! I can’t meet for lunch tomorrow but how about Saturday? Is that soon enough?”

“It’s perfect.” We talk for a few more minutes before I unpack my dance bag.

My money from last night is in there and I take it out, staring at the pile before I try to decide what to do with it.

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