Page 46 of Doughn't Let Me Go

I glance back at the shift manager. “Sure thing, Tim.”

With a sigh, I grab the box I was unloading and take it with me behind the counter, making a note to finish stocking the shelf before the end of the night. It’s not completely empty, but it could use a little padding. Make the place look a little less sad.

Which is basically what my life is: sad.

That’s what I get for not thinking ahead before uprooting my entire life. I had to take whatever came to me, and what came was a part-time job at a gas station in a neighboring town.

It’s not glamorous, but it helps keep the lights on.

I spy a few empty slots of cigarettes that can be filled and grab the cartons, tearing them open and stocking away.

I’m so lost in thought I don’t even hear the bell above the door chime.

“Come work for me.”

My hands falter when I hear his voice, but I recover quickly.

“No.”

“I’m not going to take no for an answer.”

Of course he’s not. My bet is he’s not used to people telling him no. I have no idea what Porter does for a living, but it’s clear he’s a powerful man, always the one in charge.

I’ve never been one to automatically submit to authority.

“Yes, you are.”

“I’m not.”

I sigh, banging my head against the display. “What are you doing here, Porter?”

“Offering you a job.”

“You’redemandingI work for you.”

“Fine. Then will youpleasecome work for me?”

“No.”

He sighs. “Okay, I tried the nice way. You’re coming to work for me.”

I laugh wryly, turning around to face him.

He’s changed since I last saw him. Gone is his nerdy shirt, in its place a navy waffle-knit Henley, the fit tight and the sleeves pulled up, forearms on display. And instead of jeans clinging to his thick thighs, he’s wearing a pair of dark gray sweats.

Of course he’d come here wearing that.

I drag my eyes away from his body, cutting him with my stare. “You can’t just revert back to demanding because you don’t like my answer.”

“I can when your answer makes no sense.”

“I think we both know it makes all the sense in the world.”

“We’re adults. We don’t have to let our…transgression make this awkward. We don’t have to let this ruin your future.”

Transgression? Our transgression?

Like what we did was wrong.

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