No Perfect Hero(39)

Snorting, I flash her a sideways look. “Pinky swear? Shouldn't you be doing that with your new boyfriend?”

Her crooked smile sinks. Too damn fast for my liking.

“What's up? Don't tell me he isn't treating you well?”

“Nah, not that. Dennis is lovely. It's him and this other guy, really. Causing some real drama with the unit.”

“Drama?” Folding my arms, I look her up and down. “What the hell kind of drama? Listen, Jenna, if it's putting anybody in danger, that's something you've gotta bring to command. Or you tell me his name and I'll –”

“No.” She stands up, tall and straight, eyes like daggers. “We're not in Heart's Edge no more, War. I can handle myself and I'll handle this too. Probably just my own mind playing tricks on me...”

My lips twist sourly. I wonder what the hell she's getting at, wonder if this 'drama' involves anybody I know. Too bad I know she won't back down and tell when she's looking at me like that.

“So about that pinky promise...”

I eye her crooked pinky and then break into a laugh. “Jesus, girl. We’re not in grade school anymore. Something about it feels like jinxing shit.”

“Don't be silly! A pinky swear's a pinky swear, and you’ve never broken one before.” She stares at me challengingly, that finger held out. “Promise me.”

I look around, embarrassment flushing through me. There’s no one in the bunks but me and her. After a moment, I hiss and hook my pinky in hers. “Fine. I promise. Happy?”

She laughs, shaking her head. “You're such a porcupine sometimes. But that's why we all love you.”

When I start pulling back, she only curls her pinky tighter and holds mine, grinning at me fiercely. “Hey, you didn't promise me. You have to say something to make it work.”

I stop cold, tongue pressed against the roof of my mouth.

I can’t explain why this suddenly feels too real, the playful air dissolving to leave me chilled, prickling with premonition. But I decide she's right. I'm being stupid.

So I hook my finger tighter in hers and whisper, “I promise, Jenna. Promise I’ll always come back for you.”

I have three days left.

Three days before that promise becomes a lie.





7





Stray Cat Strut (Haley)





Surprise! It turns out telling college boys they can look, but not touch, leads to some pretty great tips.

It’s like edging.

Except the final gratification is all mine at the end of the night. That's when I fish out the dollar bills tucked in my bra and stuff a little extra in the shared tip jar for the bartender and the other servers.

My starving artist soul doesn't put me above my pride if it means more dollars to blow this town.

This morning I count out the bills over brunch, stacking them by denomination on the kitchen island and swinging my heels against the barstool. It's mostly ones and fives, a couple of tens and twenties, one very generous Benjamin that I’d thought was a mistake until a rather nice older man told me no, keep it, I remind him of his daughter.

Um, I kinda hope not.

No one needs to see their daughter with her ass hanging out of that postage stamp of a skirt I wear to work every night.

But after five nights working at Brody’s, I’m up to four hundred and twenty-seven dollars in tips. More than enough to tide me over until my first paycheck deposits.

I’m not doing half bad.

It’ll definitely help keep me afloat in Heart’s Edge while I save up for the last big jump to Chicago. I may even put out some online job applications in a couple of weeks, so I have some prospects and interviews waiting for me when I hit the Windy City.

Today, though, I think I’ll splurge on a little treat for me and Tara.

It’s my day off, with Wilma informing me that Wednesdays are the slowest and I should get some rest and take in the town. I’d like to spend a little time with my niece, especially when I know what's coming.

I’m going to have to send her home soon.

I may be stuck here, but her parents will be back from Hawaii in about a week and then she’ll be heading home for summer camp, and then back into school. Leaving me and my problems behind.

It’s a little scary to think I might still be in Heart’s Edge by the time Tara’s school year starts up again.

Still in Heart’s Edge. Still half broke. Still dancing around Warren freaking Ford.

I still can’t believe I got drunk in the hot tub with him – and he was naked!

Did he really think I wouldn’t notice?

Then he'd put me to bed. I’m not sure if I’m glad or mortified that he’s apparently been avoiding me ever since.

I mean...who would want to talk to the girl who started blubbering over her ex in front of a smolderingly hot, tattooed, naked brute of a man?

If this was a rom-com flick, I’d be eyeing that smolderingly hot tattooed brute and thinking about the many, many ways he could help me forget my ex before I move on with life and forget them both.

Instead, I’m busy trying to figure out how to ask him if I said anything really embarrassing. I can’t wholly remember the night.

I just remember him carrying me inside and how warm he was.