Page 19 of Devil's Bargain

“Yeah. Don’t look through it, whatever you do!”

I laugh, rubbing my brow. “Goodbye, Nina.”

“Don’t snoop!”

I end the call, throwing the phone down on the passenger seat. “God, she’s crazy!” Opening the door, I step outside and scan the road.

There’s a small diner across the street with a neon sign flickering in the daylight. I look left and right before crossing the street and entering the small building. It’s empty inside except for three truckers at the counter, engrossed in a football game replay on the small TV mounted to the wall.

I choose a window seat in the back.

“What can I get ya?” a young waitress asks, popping her gum.

“A black coffee and some fries, please.”

She writes my order down on a notepad, then leaves in a cloud of eyewatering perfume.

I lean my elbows on the sticky table and watch cars go by outside the window. It’s strange to be able to do something so mundane as ordering a bite to eat. I can’t remember the last time I had money.

“Here you go.” She puts the steaming coffee down in front of me and I go to thank her, but she’s already gone.

I take a sip of the scalding coffee and close my eyes. I don’t allow myself to think of what I did to earn this coffee or what Scott will want me to do next. Tomorrow is Wednesday. At seven pm, he’ll be expecting me in that hotel room.

I put the cup down with trembling fingers and lower my head to my hands. What if I’m in over my head? He didn’t specify his needs and desires, only that he likes to dominate and demean. What the fuck does that involve?

“Jesus Christ,” I whisper.

“Fries.”

I lift my head.

The waitress puts my plate down. “Rough day?”

I inhale a shaky breath. “You could say that.”

She puts a cupcake down on a piece of tissue. “I find these always help. Chocolatey goodness.”

“Thank you,” I whisper, my vision blurring with unshed tears.

She pops her gum. “Eat your fries and cupcake. You’ll feel better after.”

She leaves.

I wipe my eyes before picking up a fry and taking a bite. God, so good! I polish the plate in no time and swipe my thumb over the surface to catch every stray piece of salt. My coffee has gone cold, but I don’t care as I tip the mug back and drink the last of it. Next up is the cupcake.

It melts in my mouth. “Oh my god!” I moan around a mouthful.

“Good, right?” the waitress asks, winking as she walks past to wipe down the tables behind me.

“God, yes! It’s amazing!” My eyes roll back. It’s gone too soon, but she was right. I do feel lighter. I ask for the bill and leave a tip, something I’ve never been able to afford before.

When I step outside, the sun is shining and there’s not a single cloud in the sky. I jog across the street to my car. As I pull the door closed, I catch sight of Rick’s bag in the footwell. “No, I’m not going to look inside,” I say firmly, starting the engine.

“Don’t snoop!”

“This is me, not snooping, Nina.” I pull out and perform a U-turn. My car is one of those rare unicorns with a manual stick. I shift through the gears, flicking my gaze down to the bag. “Definitely not snooping.”

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