Page 34 of Tangled Up In You

"How are you doing?"

"I'm okay. I didn't sleep much last night. I jumped at every little sound, but it's a new day, and it's time to get answers."

"How are you planning to do that?"

"Clean until I find something of value. I didn't say it was a great plan, but it's something. So, why are you here?"

"I wanted to check in with you."

"Everything has been quiet."

"Good. The shop next door is closed until tomorrow. I'll stop by there in the morning and see if your intruder was caught on their camera."

She frowned. "I'm not sure alerting Mrs. Hunt to my intruder is a great idea. She already thinks my store will draw the wrong crowd. What about any of the other stores on the block?"

"I called my friend Jamal who runs the dry cleaners across the street, but he's out on the lake today. I probably can't get anyone at the bank around the corner until tomorrow, either, but I left a message with the manager."

"It's probably a long shot that the cameras caught anything, isn't it?" she asked with a sigh. "We saw the guy, and neither of us can identify him."

"If he got in a vehicle, that would help us ID him."

"Good point. That's why you're the detective."

"I also came by to talk to you about Drew. Did you know he's staying with me?"

"Oh, yes. He did mention that. Is there a problem? I can only hire him for two hours a day, so it's not a full-time job, but he seemed eager to help."

"Only two hours a day, huh?"

"It's all I can afford until we open. I told him there might be more hours down the road, but he didn't seem worried about it."

"He wouldn't be worried. I told him he had to get a job, and he got one. I didn't specify how many hours it needed to be. I would just rather see him working at a place where he could meet people his age."

"Is that really why you're not happy about him taking this job?" she asked, giving him a sharp look. "You think Drew working here gets me more entangled in your life, and you don't want me in your life, so that's the problem. Am I right?"

"Not completely," he said slowly.

"What's the deal, Adam? Who is Drew to you? He said something about you being a family friend. He told me you owed him and his father something."

Adam's gaze darkened. "What else did he say?"

"Nothing. I have to admit it made me curious. I had no idea Drew had any relationship to you when I hired him. I just thought he was a bored, aimless teenager who needed to make some money and have somewhere to go. I was that kid when Phoebe hired me. I thought I could return the favor."

"I don't know that he's the best worker. Drew has a huge chip on his shoulder."

"He was very helpful yesterday, and he said he could work this afternoon for a few hours."

"All right. I hope he doesn’t let you down, but I have to warn you it's likely he will."

"I like to think the best of people until they force me to think otherwise. I should get back to work." She paused, glancing toward the window as someone knocked on the door. "It's your sister."

"Great," he muttered. "What is Chelsea doing here?"

"I have something for her." She opened the door. "Hi, Chelsea. Come on in."

"I really appreciate you looking for the package," Chelsea said as she entered the shop. She stopped abruptly, frowning when she saw her brother. "Adam. What are you doing here?"

"Just giving Molly a little help," he replied.

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