Page 9 of Chasing Sarah

“Yea, well, there’s two of us so it would be stupid to say that.” I chuckle.

* * *

Fine. I’ll admit coming to New York without a plan was stupid. It’s been a week and we’ve been staying at a local shelter while trying to find jobs.

Paige sits on the floor in front of me as I French-braid her hair. She’s scouring the internet for job listings on a laptop the shelter’s manager let us borrow.

“Nothing?” I ask, twisting the strands of her thick brown hair.

“Nothing we’re qualified for,” she huffs, slumping her shoulders.

“Not even waitress jobs?”

She tries to shake her head.

“Don’t move,” I reprimand.

She stops moving and continues to scroll.

“Wait.” She sits up straighter and I grind my teeth when one of the strands arches upward in the center.

Great. Now I’m going to have to redo the whole damned thing.

With an annoyed sigh, I release her hair. Leaning forward, I scan the computer screen.

“Urgently hiring for elementary school office administrative aide.” Paige reads the listing and I scrunch my nose.

“You can have that one.”

I reach for the comb and work on redoing the braid as she fills out the application.

Swinging the door open, I step inside what wassupposedto be a restaurant.

It’s a small dive bar.

“What are you doing in here?” The scruffy, bald-headed bartender grunts as he sets a bottle of beer in front of a man that’s slumped over the counter.

‘You’re a badass, Sarah. Don’t let this place intimidate you.’

I tense at the faint whisper of Xander’s voice.

“Well?” the bartender barks in annoyance.

Steeling my shoulders, I lift my chin. “I’m here for a job.”

His thick brows furrow and his eyes travel down my body.

“You’re too young for this place, kid. Get out.” He whips the dirty rag off his shoulders and begins whipping down the bar top.

“I’m twenty-one,” I lie, and he pauses.

“I might be getting old, but I ain’t stupid,” he says, flicking his chin toward the door. “I won’t tell you again.”

“Come on, man,” I whine. “I really need a job. I’ll even come during the day and clean the place.”

Lord knows it needs a good douching.

He glances at the slouched man before looking back at me. His eyes narrow to slits and he purses his lips.

---