Page 85 of Stripped

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“I think you'll find our prices are hard to beat,” I said to the client on the other end of the line. I'd been trying to get excited about my sales job all week. I'd sent my latest idea to Julie and then I'd ignored her phone calls and all thoughts of Mule Creek. I needed to put that aside and embrace my life in Denver or I'd never figure out what I really wanted.

“True enough,” the client, a man who's name I'd forgotten as soon as I'd dialed the number and asked for him, said. “I'll send an order over within the hour.”

I hung up, and I felt nothing. I should have been ecstatic about making another sale, but I couldn't drum up any happiness or excitement. I was selling stuff to someone who'd sell stuff to people who may or may not actually need the stuff. There was no outlet for creativity, no challenge in this job. I missed talking to Julie. I missed coming up with ideas for the town, but most of all, I missed Zane.

I'd tried enjoying life in Denver, I'd gone out to clubs and museums. I'd spent the past week trying to find the love I should feel for the city, but I felt nothing. I could no longer pretend I was sick or that there was something wrong with me. I was in love with Zane and I missed that damn small town I was from. I missed the mountain air and the forest right outside my door.

I stood, smoothed my skirt, and made my way to my boss's office. I went in and told her I'd be leaving. Since I was still in my six-week probationary period, I could walk away from the job immediately. I didn't have to work another two weeks or another hour. My boss didn't seem surprised, though she offered to write me a recommendation if I needed it.

Walking back to Gage's apartment, the air smelled sweet with the scents of a nearby bakery and the people on the crowded sidewalks seemed happier than they'd been the day before, offering me friendly smiles and waves as I passed them. I might have paused and wondered if I'd made the wrong choice, if maybe I should give Denver more of a chance, but I felt happier, too. I felt lighter, like I'd let go of a weight that had been holding me back.

I skipped up the steps to the apartment and dialed Julie as I walked in the door. “Hey, Abby,” she said. “I just got Daisy down for a nap and I was about to call you.”

“We're clearly developing some sort of telepathy.”

She laughed. “That must be it. Axel and the rest of the pack agreed that it makes sense to sell our blood to the council. We were hoping you'd conference with us when we call them to help us make it clear that we won't allow them to take advantage.”

“Actually,” I said. “I have an idea about how you can increase your leverage. Maybe it would be easier if I came there? I could tell you my idea and help with the call to the council.”

She said nothing for so long I pulled the phone away from my face to make sure she was still there. “Julie?”

“I'm here,” she said. “When you say you want to come back, are you coming back for a day or…”

“I'm moving back to Aspens Whiten,” I said. “I'm hoping I might have a job with Mule Creek. Helping the pack become more financially stable could be a lot like running a business.” I paused, suddenly nervous. “If you wanted my help, of course.”

“We definitely want your help. We'd love to hire you, but I don't know if we'll actually be able to pay you.”

“Maybe I can find another job in Aspens Whiten,” I said. “Something to pay my rent until you can pay me.”

She sighed. “That would hardly be fair to you. I'll talk to Axel and see what we can do.”

“I'd appreciate that.”

I hung up with Julie and started packing. Well, I tried to pack. Turns out all the clothes I'd bought for my new job didn't fit in the duffel bag I'd brought with me to Gage's. I could have headed out and bought a suitcase, but that would require money I needed for an apartment in Aspens Whiten. Instead, I shoved my stuff in garbage bags.

“You throwing out all your stuff?” Gage asked, stepping into the living room dressed for work in jeans and a black dress shirt.

“No.” I dropped the bag I was stuffing and faced him. “Turns out you were right. I'm moving back to Aspen's Whiten.”

He frowned. “You aren't moving back to Mule Creek with that boyfriend of yours?”

I grimaced. “You mean the boyfriend I walked out on? The boyfriend I haven't talked to in a month? I'm pretty damn sure he's moved on already.”

Gage shook his head. “Women are always telling me I don't talk enough, that I keep my emotions all bottled up, that I'm not open enough, but even I would just fucking call the guy if I was in your shoes.”

I picked up my bag and resumed stuffing it. “Maybe I need to go back for me first. To figure out how I'm going to support myself, rather than showing up on his doorstep with nothing to offer.”

Gage threw back his head and laughed. “I will never understand women, that's for damn sure.” He grabbed me and pulled into a hug, making me drop my bag again. “I'm going to miss you, babe. Maybe come visit once in a while?”

“I promise,” I said. “I'm going to do a lot more traveling in the future.” The promise was as much to myself as it was to him. I needed to stop hiding and stop making excuses. It was long past time I lived my life and enjoyed every moment of it.

He slapped my back and released me. “Good for you. I've got to get to work. Can you lock up when you leave? Just mail me the key once you're settled.”

“Sure,” I said. “Thanks for letting me stay here. I know I got in the way of your social life.”

He smirked. “Baby, I never invite women over here. It just gives them ideas they've got no business having.”

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