Ugly(89)
“He was just kind enough to get me a phone because I didn’t have time,” I say as I tuck the small box into my hand bag along with Dale’s number.
“Well, kiddo, you did really well today. Tuesdays are busier, and I also have to go over end-of-month things with you, too. So, try to come in early.”
“I will. Thank you for teaching me and being so patient.”
Candace stands, and heads toward Peter’s office. “I’ve just got a few things to talk to Peter about, but you can go, and just make sure you’re here at eight.”
“Thanks again.” I slip on Shayne’s coat, sling my bag over my shoulder and get ready to go downstairs.
When I leave work I start to head over to the bus stop, but Shayne pulls up. “Get in, good lookin’,” she calls once she puts her window down.
“Hey, I was just going to catch the bus home.” I get in and put my seat belt on.
“No need. I just went in and grabbed some things for dinner. I’m making pasta.”
“Yum, I’m starving.”
“Good, you can cook it then.” She chuckles, and I can’t help but laugh at her sarcastic sense of humor. “Actually, guess what I have for you?”
“What?”
“You know that girl who works for us? I have a USB drive with her manuscript on it. She said can you get it back to her by the end of next week?”
Wow, that was quick. “I can try.”
“Great. Remind me when we get home to give it to you.”
“Speaking of home, I’d like to pay you board until I can find my own place.”
“Not gonna happen. Liam and I already discussed this, and we both decided you’re not gonna pay us a single dollar.”
I sigh deeply, because it feels as if I’m taking advantage of their generosity. “I have to pay you something.”
“No can do, sister.”
“Look,” I start saying. I may as well be open and honest with her.
But Shayne interrupts what I want to say, “Would you take money off me if the roles were reversed?”
Damn it, she’s using the ‘role reversal’ trick to prove her point to me. “Before I answer your question, I’m just going to say this. I don’t want to come into your home and feel like I’m using you, and although you don’t see it like that, I will feel like I’m not pulling my weight. So please, let me pay you something or at the very least pay for the food. Something, anything for me to hold on to the small amount of self-worth I have.”
Shayne does a funny squirmy thing with her mouth, and I know she understands why I want to contribute. “I’ll talk to Liam.”
“And to answer your question, no I’d be exactly like you and not take your money. But once you’d explained how important it is to you to pay your way, then yes, I would.”
“You, Lily Anderson, can damn well manipulate me so easily.” I smile and look out the window. “I take it back, you can’t cook tonight. If you’re gonna make us take money, I’m punishing you with my cooking.”
I chuckle, and so does Shayne. Her cooking is amazing. Every meal I’ve eaten with them has been some of the best food I’ve ever had.
“Deal,” I agree. “Guess what happened today?”
“What?”
“You remember that Max guy? I was telling you about him the other day.”
“Oh yeah, he paid for our lunch at the small restaurant just down from where you work.”
“Yeah, him. I had lunch with him today.”
“Lily,” Shayne says with an exasperated sigh. “Do you think it’s a smart idea to go from Trent to someone else so quickly?”
“What? No, it’s nothing like that. We just had lunch, nothing else.”
“Did he ask you for your number? Or out on a date?” she asks in a ‘told you so’ tone.
“No.”
“No? Are you just saying that?”
“No, not at all. Actually, I was on my way to buy a phone, and I saw him in that café so I went in. We just sat and talked while we had our lunch. I told him I had to get back to work and ran out of time to buy a cell phone. A couple of hours later, there was a package waiting for me and he had bought me a pre-paid phone.”
“Man, Lily, he’s probably done something to it to track you, or some crazy weird ass stalker thing like that.”
“It’s still in the plastic.”
“Hmmm,” she huffs as she looks out the window driving toward home. “Really?” she snarls disbelievingly.
“Yeah, I’ll show you when we get home.” I tap my bag, indicating the phone is inside.
“That’s pretty cool then.”