Page 137 of Unexpected Hero

Holy shit. Is Freya a guardian angel?

Related, what are the odds that the first two people I connect with in my new town are saviors?First James and now Freya. Has my luck finally turned around? Have I found favor with some less judgmental deity?

Best of all, the items she’s offering won’t cost her anything, so it’s not like she’s sacrificing her hard-earned money for me. It doesn’t feel the same as a handout.

She looks at me expectantly, twirling the lollipop in her mouth relentlessly. I bet she gives a great BJ. I wonder if she could teach me how. When I’m ready to give one, that is. More specifically, when I have a penis to suck on.

Focus, Lettie.

“Confession time. I have nothing. At all. I left Georgia with only my car, clothes, cosmetics, and a few worldly possessions — Bluetooth speaker, e-reader, my favorite pillow, and that sort of thing.”

“So you need the works. Got it.” She winks and hops off the edge of the desk. “I’ll go call my friend and let you know. No sense letting what they have go to waste.” Before she gets to the door leading to the main room, she pauses. “What about bedding? I think I have some extra stuff that’ll work if you need it.”

My chest swells with joy. Pure, unadulterated joy. “Really?”

“I gotcha. Keep your Saturday morning free for moving. I’ll have the room all ready for you, sweet girl.”

Tears prick the backs of my eyes, and there’s a slight tremble in my voice when I gush my appreciation. “Oh my gosh, Freya. You’re a lifesaver. Thank you so much.”

She rolls her eyes and shuffles back over, opening her arms for a hug. I dive in without hesitation.

I can’t wait to be out of that gross hotel. Only a few more days before I can consider showering in bare feet again.

And where I won’t look at the door and remember how James looked when he left. Defeated, hurt, and battered. Because of me and my stupid overreaction.

All he wanted to do was take care of me.

Yeah, it’ll be better when I’m not at the hotel anymore. For many, many reasons.

Best of all, I won’t be alone anymore.

Chapter 27

Two birds. One brother

TOMER

Sawyer’s in the building, as evidenced by the telltale fake British accent chattering up and down the hall. As usual, it’s accompanied by random laughter from everyone around him.

Everybody loves Sawyer.

Except me.

Sometimes.

To be fair, it’s not Sawyer the person I detest, so much as his personality. Wait. That’s not what I meant.

What grates is how at ease he is with himself. He effortlessly spews humor and joy in all directions. The guy doesn’t even have to try. It’s just who he is. And everyone loves him no matter what he does.

As over his gag Chuck Nofunfuck door sign as I may be — and make no mistake, I’m way the fuck over it — I can’t help but like him.

And that really grinds my gears.

Some guys have all the luck. And guys like me don’t even get the leftover scraps thrown off the table onto the floor where we dwell.

Then again, he had a rough start in life. He’s earned his current state.

When he gets close to my office, I meet him at the door. Leaning on the doorframe, I patiently wait for him to finish his parade of pleasantries and small talk.