Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 83598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Garrett’s eyes were locked on me as I entered his space. I waited for him to say something. I had no idea what he’d been told.
“That glass you spilled cost almost three thousand dollars,” he stated.
I winced. “I’m sorry, sir. I’ll pay it back.”
He studied me as he took a drink from the glass Eliana had brought him. “Jealousy isn’t attractive. One would think, at your age, you’d be over the drama and pettiness.”
My hands fisted at my sides so hard that I felt my nails biting into my skin. I was not going to stand here like a child, pleading my case. I was a grown woman.
“I agree, and as much as I appreciate your allowing me to return, I see now that it is best I leave. This isn’t working out.”
My words didn’t seem to affect him in the least.
“If that’s what you wish.”
“It is,” I replied.
“Silas can deduct the cost of the scotch from your check,” he told me.
I nodded, although there would be nothing left of the check once the scotch cost was taken out. No need to point that out though. I just wanted to leave. Get away from all this and move on with my life.
“You may go,” he said, then put the cigar back between his teeth.
I turned and left, fighting back tears the entire time. Leo’s eyes met mine, and he took in my expression, then scowled, setting down the bottle in his hand. I was glad I’d made a few friends here, and I would miss them. It was best I left before they became real attachments. I reached the bar and tried to smile for Leo’s sake.
“I’m leaving,” I told him.
He narrowed his eyes. “Did he fire you?”
I shook my head. “No, I quit. He thinks I spilled it and accused me of being jealous and causing drama. I can’t do this. I don’t want to do this. I’d rather forget it and go get a job elsewhere.”
“Did you tell him she lied?” Leo asked, looking furious.
“There was no reason to. He didn’t ask me what happened. He believed her and accused me. That’s not something I want to deal with.”
Felix looked angry as he listened to me. “I wish you’d tell him. See who he believes,” he said.
Leo nodded his head in agreement.
“I don’t want to. I’m not a kid in school who has to defend herself to a teacher. He can believe whatever he wants. Anyway, thanks for being my friends. You two made working in this place easier.”
Leo reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone, then handed it to me. “Put your number in there. We’ll go have drinks or coffee or something.”
I took his phone and added my number into his Contacts, then texted myself so I could save his number in my phone. After I handed it back to him, I said my goodbyes to both of them and made my way out of the door with my self-respect intact.
The dressing room was empty as I took off the shoes and dress, then changed into the sundress I’d worn here. I went to get my purse from the locked cabinet under my dressing table, only to find it empty. Panicking, I looked around the room, trying to remember if I had put it in here. Had I forgotten and left it lying around somewhere? I rushed into the shower room and checked the places I had been. It wasn’t anywhere. I thought I’d put it in my cabinet. It was always the first thing I did when I arrived.
No one knew my code to get my purse out. Silas knew, of course, but no one else would know it. I couldn’t imagine Silas taking my purse. My heart was racing as I walked back into the dressing room and began looking under everything. My keys, my wallet, my phone, a hundred dollars in cash. I felt tears stinging my eyes as I opened all the drawers in the dressing tables. I had to find it.
The door to the dressing room opened, and I spun around, ready to question whoever it was, when I was met with Garrett Hughes. I wiped at the tears now rolling down my face, hating that he was seeing me cry. He had already accused me of needing to grow up and act my age. Crying wasn’t going to help his opinion of me. Not that I cared what his opinion was—or at least, I didn’t want to care.
“You were going to leave and not tell me what happened with Eliana,” he said in an accusatory tone I was not in the mood for.
I sniffled and straightened my back. “You didn’t ask me what happened,” I replied and went back to looking for my purse.
“You’re right, and I’m sorry.”