Page 56 of The Finder

Emma looked at the guys. All three of them were watching her intently. “First, I saw a table, a backpack, and books. Maybe an office? Or a library? Then I saw a girl. She turned and looked right at me.”

“What did she look like? Where was she?” Max growled at her.

“I-I don’t know,” Emma said. “It startled me so much; I dropped the... whatever it was.”

Max turned around and stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind him. “I don’t understand. What...?” she let the question hang in the air.

Garrett glanced down at her; then moved away from her to go stand next to the island in the kitchen. Emma looked at Liam, but he was no help either. He just sat looking down at the table. Emma felt like something was going on, and she was missing it. She decided to leave the guys to their stewing; it was giving her a headache. She stood and went to look for her phone. “What are you doing?” Garrett asked her.

“Looking for my phone,” she responded as she walked over to the living room. When she didn’t see it anywhere, she turned to Garrett. “Have you seen my phone?” she asked again.

He crossed his arms. “I have it,” he said.

Emma frowned. “Well, can I have it?” she asked as she walked back towards him.

“No,” he said.

When he didn’t say anything else, Emma stared at him. “No?” Surely, he was joking. But he didn’t smile. She glanced at Liam, but he wouldn’t look at her. “Why can’t I havemyphone?” she asked in confusion

Garrett narrowed his eyes at her. “Actually, it’smyphone. I’m the one who bought it.”

Emma stared at him, willing herself not to do something weak and stupid, like cry. “You’re right. I’ll buy one myself with my own money.” She turned and started walking down the hallway towards her room.

Slowly, she got dressed for the day. She slipped shoes on and searched the room for her purse. When she didn’t see it anywhere, she sighed in frustration. She would have to go ask Garrett where that was too. With any luck, it would go better than the cell phone. She walked back to the kitchen.

“Garrett, do you know where my purse went?” Emma asked, proud of herself for sounding steady and calm.

“It’s in that closet,” he said, nodding his head towards a closet near the front door.

Emma walked over and opened the closet. She saw the purse on the top shelf, but there was no way she could reach it. Before she could say anything, she felt rather than heard Garrett behind her. He reached over the top of her and grabbed it for her, handing it to her. “Thank you,” she said. He just looked down at her intensely before turning and walking back to the kitchen. Emma put the purse on her shoulder and walked towards Garrett and Liam. “Do you think one of you could give me a ride to the coffee shop?”

They both just stared at her, making her feel self-conscious. “I’m obviously late; it’s like halfway through my shift. But I figured I could at least get a half a day in.” Emma stood there awkwardly.

Garrett met her eyes. “Emma, Helen hired somebody to replace you.”

His words couldn't have shocked Emma more. She felt them as if he had physically punched her in the stomach. “What? Why?” she asked. She glanced at Liam, but he wouldn’t look at her.

“I told her to,” Garrett said without any emotion. “I sent one of the girls that used to work at our office to her.”

Emma stared at him. “You sent someone to replace me,” she said slowly, trying to understand what in the world was going on. Crossing her arms to make herself feel stronger, she asked, “Why would you do that?”

“I had to,” he said.

Emma blinked. That cleared nothing up. She closed her eyes, feeling exhausted again. Opening her eyes, she looked at Garrett. “I don’t understand what’s going on. I have no idea why you’re acting like such a jerk all of a sudden.” She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. “Would youpleasejust give me a ride to the shop? That way I can talk to Helen and explain what happened and maybe get my job back?”

Garrett’s eyes narrowed at her. “No,” he said.

Emma could feel her heart breaking. “You don’t understand. I need that job,” she said desperately.

Garrett prowled towards her. “I said no. You’re staying here.”

Emma crossed her arms. “You can’t keep me here.”

“Watch me,” he said. Then he turned and walked towards his office. She watched him go before turning to Liam.

“What is going on, Liam?” she asked, hurt and confused.

Liam stood and approached her with a sad smile on his face. “Sorry, baby girl. This is between you and him.” With that, he walked towards the front door and let himself out.

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