Page 20 of Broken

“Nowhere in particular. This is kind of my first real job as an adult. I know. A little late.” I changed the subject. “How long have you worked here?”

“Going four years. I started right out of college.”

“Nice.”

“Are you a wine drinker?” she asked.

“Occasionally You?”

“Yeah. We should go out for a drink one night.”

I was surprised by her suggestion. “We should. That would be nice.”

“Are you married or have a boyfriend?”

“I have a boyfriend. You?”

“Newly married.” She showed off her big diamond ring.

Recess was over, and the kids were settling down and it was almost at the end of the day. The kids wore me out, that was for sure.

Matteo pulled up to my work right on time, and I saw Olivia in the back, so I slid in next to her. “Ready to go shopping?” I asked her.

“I guess so. I don’t have a choice.”

“Well, you can get a few things now and when you feel up to it, we can do more later.”

“All I need is a few things, because this is going to continue to grow.” She pointed at her tummy.

“I think there is a maternity store nearby,” I told Matteo.

Five minutes later, we were pulling into the parking lot of a maternity store. While we walked in, Matteo stuck close by, standing just outside the door of the store. I noticed he had been watching Olivia a lot more closely than he had me. Was he attracted to her? It sure seemed so.

We browsed through the maternity clothes and pointed out how cute newborn clothes were. “How are you paying for all this?” she finally asked.

I smirked. “I’m not. Damon is. I have his black card.”

“Kara!”

“What? Trust me, he would want me to. I promise.”

She shook her head. “Fine.”

We looked around until she settled on three tops, three pairs of stretchy pants, and two dresses. “That’s all you’re getting?”

“For now.”

“Okay. I know you’re probably tired and I got a date with Damon tonight.”

“You mean Mister Fancy Pants.” She giggled.

“Fancy pants?”

“Yeah. Every time I see him, he’s in fancy clothes and he just has that aura about him. Are you gonna tell me how you met?”

“Well, he played cards with my dad and some other powerful men. Of course, I had a huge crush on him every time he came over. But I never knew the extent that my father owed him money. And he took me for payment.”

“Oh my god. Are you serious?”

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