Page 103 of Born to Make You Smile

He hummed. “While that all sounds rather tempting, I don’t think it’s a good idea. If there happened to be someone I knew who saw me there…”

He was clearly referring to Bill Salinger.

“No. I get it,” I said, trying not to let my disappointment show. “Thanks for the ride.”

“Have a great last day. I’ll have a car here at two o’clock to pick you up.”

I waved a hand at him. “Gavin, it’s okay. I can get home on my own.”

“Please. Enough with the protests,” he said with sharpness.

I tried not to let his curtness get to me. He was likely tired and fed up.

“Thanks.” I grabbed my bag and headed inside, being mindful of the patches of ice by the curb.

While I set up glasses in Studio 69, Joshua came up and wrapped his arms around me. “I’m gonna miss you working here on T-days, Goldie.”

I chuckled. I love how he called Tuesdays and ThursdaysT-days. “I’ll miss you too.”

He handed me a small pink box. “I got you something. A little going away present.”

“What? Joshua...”

“Just open it!”

When I opened the box, a smile crept over my lips when I saw the membership card nestled inside.

“Good for one whole year here at X-PLORE,” he said proudly.

“Thank you!” I hugged him. “That’s really very sweet of you.”

He pointed a finger at me. “You’d better visit. Often. And please bring that hot Brit of yours. I really want to meet him.”

I forced a smile. “I actually invited him in tonight to check out Studio 69. But he wasn’t big on the idea.”

“That’s okay,” he said with a shrug. “This place can be intimidating at first. He’ll come around. Especially now that you have a membership.”

I shook my head with a frown. “I’m not sure about that. He’s scared of running into someone he knows. Even with the confidentiality agreement, he thinks it could affect business. His reputation.”

“Man. That sucks.” He sighed. “Well, I’ll be around. I practically live here lately.”

I imagined visiting here for fun, hanging out with Joshua, which would be nice of course. But then my stomach dropped, lamenting the fact that Gavin would likely never join me here.He’d never be a part of this wonderful world. Lately, I felt a distance starting to brew between us. And I had the aching worry that we’d only get more separated with time.

***

A few days later, the winter chill hit hard, running straight to my bones. I had myself bundled up when I went to Marcelo’s store to buy back the bracelet. I felt uneasy carrying so much cash on me. I had this strange feeling I’d be robbed on the way there, knowing my luck lately. Thankfully, I managed to arrive unscathed.

As soon as Marcelo saw me, his smiling face fell.

“Grace. Hi,” he said, then groaned. “Look, uhh. I have terrible news.”

Oh no.Blood rushed to the surface of my skin as if to protect me from the doom he was about to deliver.

“What?” I said with a frown. “What happened?”

He winced. “About your bracelet. It got sold. Accidentally.”

No. No. No.

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