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“You can have the afternoon off, paid,” I said, knowing it was stupid because it wasn’t like a few hours of vacation pay would make a difference in that situation She’d been a hard worker, though, and really flexible when I needed her That deserved some kind of reward And the fire situation was definitely serious—the s worse every day

“Really?” she asked, eyes widening “Thanks, Tinker I really appreciate it”

“No problerabbed her purse and bolted for the door, texting frantically

“That was nice,” Carrie commented

“I’m a nice person”

“Really? Cause I heard you’re a dirty”

“You need to get a life”

“I know,” she said, sighing “It’s kind of pathetic How did I get so old?”

“I hear nothing ages a wo the salt, I brushed off my hands and nodded toward the main room “You ready to eat?”

Carrie held up the bag holding our customary sandwiches

“Always You kno much I love food”

We sat down at one of the tables, surrounded by s Sooner or later I’d have to pack everything up, figure out what to do with it Maybe I could auction it off and use the money to help pay for my new kitchen

Assu to stay in Hallies Falls? Some days h

“So you didn’t answerthe top open on a Diet Coke “Did you kick his ass out the door? The correct answer here is ‘yes,’ just in case you had any questions I don’t care how good he is in the sack, the man is scum”

“No, Brandon’s scue is a Boy Scout, but Brandon’s a thousand times worse”

Carrie stared atto say

Of course, being Carrie, she recovered fast

“I don’t disagree” she said “Obviously Brandon is a piece of shit, no question But that doesn’t uy, Tinker He lied to you He lied to everyone Getting involved with him is a really bad idea”

I opened ht Getting involved with Gage was a really bad idea, and I still wanted to do it Desperately My phone rang, “The I out What the hell? Glancing down, I saw Brandon’s name on the caller ID

“Did you change Brandon’s ringtone to Darth Vader?” I asked Carrie, as suddenly very interested in rearranging the lettuce on her sandwich

“Don’t answer it,” she said, dodging the question “If he wants to talk to you, he can have his lawyer call your lawyer That’s how civilized people handle shit like this”

I hit the ignore button and leaned back inher down

“You do realize you’re not e of my life”

She shrugged, winking at me My phone chih

BRANDON: Call me

Ha Unlikely

“I’ the text “And don’t worry—I’m not an idiot I know he’s a liar, but so what? I had fun last night and I want to have soet laid”