Page 110 of Girls Night
I waited for her to speak but she just looked at me as though, if she stared hard enough, she’d see into my soul.
“I understand, Devon,” she finally said. “ Trust me. I understand. Please, keep the brochure, take it home with you. Look it over. Maybe someone you know will need it.”
“Fine.” I sighed.
She stood up and walked me out. “Let me get Sarah to call you a ride. We have a paid service.”
She was good, I’d give her that. She knew not to push.
“Okay. Sure.” A free ride wasn’t something I’d sneeze at. It wasn’t my money.
After the reception made the call, I didn’t feel like waiting inside, so I leaned against the brick wall at the entrance and checked my phone for any messages from TJ that I might have missed. Sure enough, like he’d read my damn mind, the text bubbles appeared as soon as I clicked on his name.
TJ: client looking for a 5 pm call. Get your ass here ASAP.
“Yes, sir,” I said out loud. I typed in a “yep” and closed the phone, not bothering to see if he responded.
“Hey. I couldn’t help overhearing you talking to Tina.”
I looked over and saw a woman holding a card between two long fingers. She was definitely one of us, judging by the look of her, not a Tina or a Sarah. Young, dark hair, dark skin, cheap clothes. Haunted.
“Yeah?” I eyed the card in her hand.
“You were looking to make some extra cash?” she asked. “Here. Local lady hires girls for some art photos. Pays damn good, too.” She flashed a friendly smile and looked away from me, touching her dark hair. “She’s looking for a blonde. And I ain’t that.”
I took the card and looked at it. Mia Sayne, the card said.Professional photographer with artistic flare.No picture, no address, just a cell number.
I raised an eyebrow. “Legit? Pays good? Not kinky shit, is it?” Not that I wasn’t down for kinky—I’ve done it all—but TJ would kick my ass if he found out I was taking my business elsewhere, even for a one-off.
The girl shook her head. “Nope, nothing like that. Real nice chick. Strange but legit. Those artist types with money, you know.”
I didn’t know, but fuck if I cared. Money was money. “Huh. Well, thanks. I’ll check it out.”
She nodded. “Gotta stick together.” She headed inside, and I noticed then that she didn’t have a bag or purse, which meant she was probably one of the rescues here.
I tucked the card in my bag, my fingers catching on the brochure Tina gave me. Something tickled in my throat as the car pulled up.
Maybe Jose really did care. Maybe this was the place that could help me get out from under TJ’s hold. Maybe I should call this Mia chick. Maybe this was fate.
And maybe pigs would fly.
Chapter Three
Mia
The security my studio apartment had was top-notch, something I made sure of when I moved in and bought the place five years ago. Always updated, always on.
I was in my art studio when I got a ping, letting me know the new model was here. I clicked on my monitor and popped up the security app to see a pretty blonde frowning at the door, the late October wind blowing strands of light-colored hair onto her cheeks.
The creative muse in me chomped at the bit in glee. Even in the black and white, gritty image, she was perfect.
When I greeted her at the door, she seemed to hesitate as we made eye contact. I had no idea what she was thinking when she saw me, but by the look of surprise in her big brown eyes, I figured she’d expected someone older or more dignified.
“Devon, right?” I asked, my voice betraying any confidence I wished to show; instead, it came out wispy and too soft to hear. But she’d heard me.
“Yeah. Miss Sayne?” The smile and tone made the question almost humorous.
“Just Mia, please.” I liked her already. She was not only perfect for what I had in mind, but she seemed to have a quality of no pretense, which I always appreciated in people. I hated the social pretty almost as much as I hated interacting with people.
