Page 65 of Red Flag, Green Light

“Hey, Brian,” Mars says, chipper. “Quick question: that fancy office building of yours. Does it need any entry positions filled?”

“Weekend trip distance, at the most,” I say.

“A weekend trip’s distance isn’t bad. That’s a safe distance. Who’s the friend you’re contacting?”

Mars nods in response to whatever Brian’s saying. “Yeah, I can send you her resume. I appreciate you talking to your boss and seeing what he has available. One more thing, though. Any chance at all she could stay with you while she gets on her feet?” A pause. A moment. Awickedsmile. “Amelia. Amelia Christmas.”

“Brian,” I say. “Brian Single.”

“What?” Amelia squeaks.

“Really?” Mars says, striding toward me. “You don’t need to talk to your boss?” He puts Brian on speakerphone and holds his phone close enough for mine to pick up Brian’s voice.

“If it’s Amelia,” Brian says, “I don’t need to visit Liam. She can work with me in the mailroom. I love Amelia. When can she start? I’ll set up my guest room for her.”

“I’ll ask,” Mars says, pressing the speaker button again.

“Mellie?” I murmur. “You still alive?”

Quick breaths. Shaking words. “He— He—”

“When can you start?” I prompt.

“Did he just say…”

“Yes, sweetie. You’ve got a job. And a room. With Brian. He needs to know when to expect you.”

“Yesterday,” she whispers. “I-I can start yesterday. I’ll—” She swallows, or chokes on a swallow anyway, and croaks, “I’ll be packed by next week. Oh. No.” She whimpers. “My two-weeks’. I need to give my two-weeks’ notice. And my next shift isn’t until Tuesday.”

“Should we tell him next month?” I ask. “To give you time to pack and get things in order?”

“Is that okay?” she whispers.

“Let’s find out.” I meet Mars’s eyes.

“She’ll tie up some loose ends and start next month. Can you text me your address and anything else she might need to know?” After an apparent confirmation, Mars says, “Great. Thanks,” and hangs up. Then he looks at me. “Brian says he’s expecting her April 2nd, and he would expect her April 1st, but April Fool’s Day is a terrific holiday for mail, and he’d like to make sure he has time to dedicate to getting her settled in.” He leans forward, eyes locked on mine, lips inches away. “Did you get that, Mellie?”

“Surely I’m dreaming,” Amelia breathes. “April 2nd…I’m going…to live with Brian?”

“Just until you get on your feet,” I say.

“Or until you seduce him,” Mars offers. “I suggest mailing yourself there and jumping out of a flat-rate into his arms.”

“I couldn’t. The weight limit on a flat-rate is seventy pounds.” Distant, Amelia begins rattling off the many regulations that make it impossible for her to mail herself to Brian with a dedication to detail that makes me think she has thought this through several times before. Amid point twelve, she gasps. “I need to start packing and write my resignation. I’m terrified…but…this is good, isn’t it?”

“It will be, Mellie. Trust me.”

She takes a shaking breath. “I’ll try.”

“I care about you, okay?”

She sniffles. “I know. Thank you.”

When she hangs up, I discover that Mars’s face is still inches from mine, so I say, “What?”

His teeth bare.

“What?”

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