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Hart

“Hartley I need you to stay late today”

“What?” I look up fro “Why?”

“Emma is sick”

I bite the inside of my cheek I want to tell hiets off on ordering the girls working at the counters around The need for money effectively snatches y bill and water bill If I stay later, this check will handle the trash and keep the hospital at bay Dad has continued to skulk around the house, rarely seen, and when spotted is continuously in a foul mood

I haven’t seen hiht we returned fro I see the e bin The extra hours could start repairi

ng the dent in s

“How long?”

“Two hours until Stacy gets here after her last class”

“Okay” I s my pride, shove my weariness down, and remember the reason I came here in the first place This is for Fiona

“I need to update my plans”

“Go ahead and take a fifteen-minute break I’ll cover the counter for you” He smiles His white teeth clash with the false tan that contrasts with his dirty blond hair with its golden highlights “I take care of irls”

“I’irl, Chet,” I remind him sweetly

“Not yet” He gives me a slow once over “But you could be”

“I’ll pass I don’t date where I work” I shrug