Page 61 (2/2)
“No I bumped into him at the café” Daphne hesitated “He didn’t smile Not once”
“PTSD?” she asked quietly She couldn’t i-lasting traus he probably saw
“Maybe,” Daphne said “But he’s not jumpy He just seems pissed off at the world Elvira was behind the counter that day She tried to thank hier He set a ten on the counter and walked out before his food arrived”
“He left hisBuck’s “Might hurta job”
“I think your lack of waitressing or bartending experience will be the nail in the coffin But if Noah turns you down, you can work here”
“I’d rather keep my shirt on while I work,” Josie said dryly
And he won’t turn me down He promised to help me
But that was before he turned into a surly former marine
“You’d make more without it,” Daphne said “Or you can tell the hospital, the collection agency—whoever’s co after you—the truth You’re broke”
“I did They gave me a payment plan and I need to stick to it” She headed for the door “I ignored those bills for months Besides, what kind of mother doesn’t pay her child’s medical bills?”
The kind who buried her son twenty-seven days after he was born
Daphne didn’t say the words, but Josie knew she was thinking them Her best friend was the only person in Forever who knew the truth about why she was desperate for a paycheck If only Daphne had inherited a restaurant or a bookstore—a place with fully c
lothed employees
“He has to agree,” Josie added “I need that money”
“I know” Daphne sighed “And I need to get to work I have a staff of topless waitresses and dancers who depend on me for their paycheck Good luck, Josie”
“Thanks” She ended the call and slipped her phone into the bag slung over her shoulder alongside her wallet and resume
She drew a deep breath But a churning feeling started in her belly, foreboding, threatening She knew this feeling and she didn’t like it So bad always followed
Her boyfriend headed for the door convinced he was too young for a babyHer water broke too early
She tried the door Locked, dammit
Ignoring the warning bells in her head telling her to run to her best friend’s club and offer to serve a topless breakfast, she raised her hand and knocked