Grammy just stood there unmoving, no doubt sending mental daggers at him for even considering it. No one crossed Tabitha Granger and got away unscathed, but he needed the money just as bad as I needed out.
She could see the apology written all over his face as he finally tilted his head and shrugged at her in defeat, then turned toward me and nodded.
“Deal.”
I couldn't contain the smug smile that spread across my face when my eyes found Grammy again and I saw the fury painted across her features. She had lost. I might regret it later, but I didn't care. I needed space and time to sort this out without her and Mom breathing down my neck and attempting to control me.
“I'll have a check for you tomorrow.”
He only nodded, then tipped his head in Grammy’s direction one more time before he ducked out the office door and practically jogged to his car, his reason for visiting long forgotten. She would make him pay for crossing him.
When we were finally alone again, I waited for her to break the silence. I could practically see the wheels in her brain turning to find a way to ruin this for me. That was just what she did. But she had no more cards to play.
I’d saved that money since I began working for her at the motel and Mom insisted she pay me something. Paying six months of rent would make a huge dent in the savings I had, but it would be worth it to finally have my own space.
To become my own person.
Without a word, she turned away and disappeared down the hall.