The Arrangement Anthology 1(36)

I shoulder my way past them, leaving Sean staring after me.

I get to the back room and find Lenny’s office. He’s my boss, or he was until Miss Black stole me away. “Hey,” I say, my heart still racing from seeing Sean. “Is my check ready?”

“Yeah. I just finished. Here it is. I hope you come back, if you ever need a job again. You’re a good kid.” Lenny hands me my check. He’s an older guy with gray stubble on his face. His white hair is thin and flops to one side. He reminds me of my dad when he isn’t screaming at the staff.

I nod, fingering the check. “I will. Thanks for everything.”

“No problem, Avery.”

I smile at him and leave the office. I head through the kitchen and get enough dirty looks to last a lifetime, but I have to get to the back door. There is no way I’m leaving through the front. I’m lucky I maintained my composure the first time. If I see Sean again, I’ll go nuts.

I leave through the receiving door and walk around the parking lot, back to my car. The parking lot is well lit, but there are still patches of shadow. I eye my car and hurry, walking fast, rubbing my arms to try and keep warm. A jacket is definitely a priority. When I get to my car, I stuff my check in the glove box and grab a can of ether. I lift the hood and hold it up while I spray, holding my breath so that I don’t breathe it in.

“Miss Smith,” a familiar voice says behind me.





CHAPTER 8



“It’s a wonderful night for a spray start car,” Sean says. Startled, I flinch and the can of ether goes flying. It smacks into my windshield, chipping it, before rolling down into the engine. Sean reaches under the hood and grabs the can. “A bit jumpy, are we?”

“Yes, I am,” I say, snatching the can from him, after I drop the hood. “When strange guys come up to me, things never end well.” I try to walk past him to get in my car, but he doesn’t move. When I look up into his face, I’m angry. “Better get back to your new hooker. She didn’t seem like a patient woman, if you ask me.”

“I didn’t ask you,” he says with confidence that I’ve never felt.

“Real nice. You scared the crap out of me and cracked my windshield. Unless you plan on robbing me, go away.” I fold my arms over my chest and look anywhere but at Sean. The parking lot is fairly empty. It’s dinner time and the place is packed. It’s always packed.

“What would I take? That dress you have in the backseat—”

“Tell me what you want or go away,” I say. My nails are biting through my sweater and into my skin. I lock my jaw, trying so hard to keep from saying something stupid.

“Is that dress for your next lover?”

“It’s not for you, if that’s what you’re asking.” I’m bristling. I don’t mean to. I don’t want to, but I can’t stop. Sean has my blood pumping and my body just reacts.

Sean’s eyes flick over me, like he’s amused. “I don’t wear dresses, although I appreciate the thought.”

“Let me in my car,” I hiss and drop my hands to my sides. He’s blocking the door.

“What will you do if I say no?” His eyes sparkle, like he thinks this is funny.

I lean in close to his face. A twisted smile snakes across my lips as I speak. “I’ll take your nuts off and then run you over with my car.”

Sean flinches and steps away from the door. I push past him, brushing his shoulder and fighting the urge to throw myself into his arms. I’m so messed up. He’s on a date with a hooker and I still want him. How many times was I dropped on my head as a baby? There’s no way that this is normal. I sit down hard in the driver’s seat and yank the door shut.

Sean leans on the door, resting his hands on the roof. He speaks into the open window. “You’re beautiful when you’re angry.”

“Go to hell.” I turn the key in the ignition and the car backfires and rumbles to life. God, could this be worse? Is he here to taunt me? I don’t get it. I throw the car into reverse and rev the engine, ready to peel out, but his words stop me.

“I would have rather had you.” Sean straightens and turns to walk away. His hands are in his pockets as he strolls back toward the restaurant.

The car sputters and stalls. I stopped feeding the engine gas without realizing it. I throw the car into park and jump out. “Wait!” Sean stops and turns around to look at me. There’s a golden glow on his head from the light above. His hands are in his pockets and there’s a faint smile on his lips.

I leave my car where it is and run the three steps toward him. “What do you mean?”