Page 11 of Unexpected Temptation

His arms were tense as he handled the steering wheel, especially when discussing the stripping stuff. A warm sensation dances over my body, teasing me and tempting me. The feeling tries to make me slide my hand between my legs and think of his expression—patient, not arrogant,interested.

But I can’t be interested. If, somehow, I get a follow-up call about the job, I can’t let it be about anything other than that. I can’t forget about all my responsibilities.

“What do you mean,fired?” I snap, feeling like I’m about to scream when my boss looks at me like an idiot for even asking the question.

“No money,” he snaps in his usual blunt way. “No money, no work. Okay? No contract, you go. Okay? Yes?” He waves his hands as if the world is out to get him. He loves playing the victim. “Please, go now!”

He’s right. There’s no contract. I’ve got no right to protest. Or maybe that’s not true. Perhaps I have theright, but it’s just silly thinking I’ll ever use that option. He’s fired so many people like me. He must know we’re not going to kick up a fuss.

Leaving the restaurant, I check my phone because it’s a natural reflex in this situation, not because I expect there to be anything noteworthy. But to my surprise, I got a call from the dog home. It’s Simone from yesterday asking me if I’d like to come in for a follow-up talk.

There are tears in my eyes, I realize, as the screen blurs. I angrily wipe them away. What use is there crying? Anyway, fate, the world, or whatever, has dropped another opportunity on my doorstep the same day—no, the samehour—another was taken away. Who else is that lucky?

That’s the story I tell myself as I walk down the street. I won’t take the bus. I’m worried I’ll break down and make a fool of myself.

When I reach Tristan’s Tails, my legs are aching, but I don’t mind. I prefer it. It means I’ve got something to distract from the drumming in my head. It’s a drumbeat that goes “rent, bills, Mom”repeatedly. I don’t have the luxury of sitting back, licking my wounds, and assessing my situation.

It’s make it work or … or what? No more care for Mom? A long, stressful, and maybe painful passing.

I take a moment outside the entrance, breathing slowly. I’m getting too morbid about this, making my thoughts too miserable.

Walking through the door, I hear Loki yapping straight away. He’s at the gate, like last time, clawing against it. Seeing his happy face is enough to push all the other stuff away for a little while. I’m grinning as I approach the front desk.

Simone smiles over at me. She’s around my age but thinner, with cute dyed pink hair. “Hello again. I knew it was you before you even walked in the door. Loki loves you!”

I laugh, shaking my head. “I think that dog might be a little crazy.”

“Just alittle?” she chuckles.

“You asked to see me again?”

Simone nods. “Tristan wants to interview you. I mentioned that in the call?”

My head feels like it’s being pulled in two directions, and my thoughts are hazy. The fear of everything weighing me down. The job loss feels like a too-recent cut, a slice that won’t stop stinging.

“Yeah. Sorry. Sure.”

“Do you need a moment?” Simone asks.

I almost snap at her, demanding to know what she’s talking about. Why the hell would I need a moment? Then I realize my voice has just quivered. I’m dangerously close to breaking down and making a fool of myself.

“I’m okay.”

“Are you?” She walks around the desk, lifting the divider. She looks like she might put her hand on me, but then she thinks better of it and leans away. The concern in her expression looks real. “Okay, I mean.”

“It’s nothing. I just lost my job, but it’s fine.”

Downplaying it doesn’t seem like the best strategy. Most of the time, it feels like theonlystrategy for me.

“Are you sure?” Simone says, seeming fooled, thankfully.

“Yes.” I stand up straighter. “I’m ready.”

I’m not sure if I’m ready for the man who was chasing me in my dreams last night. I tried to keep Tristan out of my head, but the way his shirt tightened on his arms kept returning to me, along with how he watched me as if he found me attractive, or maybe that’s me projecting.

Loki yaps as she leads me upstairs. I can almost imagine he’s telling me, “Good luck.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

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