Page 21 of David's Love

Shit.

I completely forgot about that.

I give Chloe an update on my car and text my mother.

The reply arrives instantaneously.

Terry: Danny will pick it up tonight.

Chloe reads my face.

“No car?”

“It’s ready today. I’ll get it tonight,” I say, thinking about methods to maneuver my way out of this sticky situation.

“It looks like I’ll be dropping you off someplace,” she says, pulling out of her seat and heading to the sink to wash her plate and mug.

“No need to. Do you want to spend the rest of the day here?” I ask.

She glances at me over her shoulder.

“No. I’ll go home. Buy some groceries and stuff. What time do you go to work?”

“Why?”

She turns the faucet off and pats her hands dry with a kitchen towel.

“I was thinking about stopping by at Maggie’s.”

My heart beats faster.

“Why?”

“I want to ask her for a job.”

I’m lost for words.

Any other time, I would’ve been elated to have her on the sales floor with me. We'd have fun together if we worked together.

But now?

I’ll spend my time with her at work. And most likely, the weekends and evenings with her at home.

She doesn’t go to school, but I do. And then, how am I supposed to talk to David?

I’m hyperventilating, although it looks like I’m frozen.

“Are you okay?” she asks, studying my face.

“Yes. Yes, I am. I was trying to think whether we had any openings.”

She flashes a smile and drops the kitchen towel on the counter.

“Don’t worry about that. Stores always have openings this time of year. I know how to land a job.”

I’m trying to remember when was the last time she landed one.

Anyway, propping my hand against the table, I suck in a long breath and think.

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