Page 18 of Dump and Chase

“I’m sorry to hear this. I really enjoyed working here.”

Diane frowned now, the wrinkles on her face bunching around her mouth. The woman had to be close to seventy and could easily retire, but she was active and loved her business. “Dear, I’m sorry. But like I said, you will be the first person I call. And we’re going to give you two weeks’ pay.”

Two weeks’ pay wasn’t going to go far. And who was going to hire me now? I knew how it worked. The second they saw the belly, I’d be crossed off the list.

“Thanks,” I said, rising. I didn’t see a point in hanging around. “Am I supposed to work out my day?”

“I’ve got it all covered. Think of it as two weeks off.”

Was she serious? Now she’d pissed me off, but I wasn’t going to make a scene. I gave her a fake smile and went to cubicle. I didn’t have much and packed it up in a box I found in the storage area. I hadn’t made any close bonds there and didn’t bother to say goodbye to anyone. Judy was opening her mouth to say something as I passed her, but I cut her off.

“Nice working with you, Judy. Later.”

Fuck them all.

Just as I was getting to the car, my phone pinged. I stuffed the box in the back seat and pulled out my phone.

I can meet you tonight.

ChapterTen

Ethan

Ihad a flight the next day, then a few days to get ready for training camp. I was looking forward to putting this miserable summer behind me. Mom, Ava, and I had finished up all the necessary work for Dad’s estate, packed up and donated what we didn’t plan to keep, and finally picked out a gravestone for Dad. And then I’d gotten the text from Tangi. It had come completely out of the blue, and while I’d planned on hanging out with Craig, I asked him if we could postpone for an hour or two. Of course he didn’t mind.

I had no idea what she wanted. Maybe one final tongue-lashing for the road? She’d made it clear to me that she wanted nothing to do with me. On top of that, I’d wondered how she’d gotten my number until Ava copped to it while Mom insisted we have a final dinner together.

“It was strange,” she said. “This longwinded message about finding some stuff of yours. I guess she wants to completely rid you from her life.”

Mom shot Ava a look. “Stop,” she said.

If Mom knew the truth, she’d be giving me shit too. But now it was making more sense. She’d found some of my crap and was giving it back and shutting the door on us completely.

After dinner, I packed the last of my things and made my way to the coffeehouse where we’d agreed to meet. Tangi was there already, sitting at a booth away from others. My breath hitched at the sight of her. Her wavy long hair was tucked behind her ears, showing off her high cheek bones. She had some extra color that added to her already tanned complexion. Everything about her was gorgeous, and I couldn’t help thinking of that night together. The way she felt in my arms, her kisses, the softness of her breasts, the way it felt inside her. My cock twitched at that. Shit, I had to keep it together. I couldn’t forget what I’d done and how it would hurt so many people.

I grabbed a coffee and a peanut butter cookie. The cookie was for her, her favorite, and my way of a peace offering. I handed it to her as I sat down. She was startled to see me and smiled politely, the kind of smile you’d offer a stranger.

“Thanks,” she said.

How many times had I stared into those hazel eyes. I could always tell her mood by her eyes, and right now I had no idea what I was doing here. She was giving nothing away.

“How are you?”

“I’m good,” she said, sipping her tea. The smell of peppermint wafted across table. She rarely drank coffee after 2 p.m. She claimed it kept her up all night. “How are you?”

“I’m okay. I’m heading back to Vancouver tomorrow.”

“Right, training camp starts soon.”

I nodded. Her lips were full and pink and all I could think about was kissing them, and I hated myself for it. I had Brandi to think about. “In about a week.”

She swallowed hard and I waited for what she had to say. Something was wrong, I could tell.

“You’re probably wondering why I asked you here, especially after our blowup last time.”

“Yeah, I’ve been curious.”

She drummed her fingers on the table and looked out the window for a moment. What the hell was going on? Was she sick? After that night in my condo, and then at the Richardson’s fundraiser, I expected to never hear from her again, yet she was the one who’d initiated this meeting. Whatever she had to say was going to be huge.

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