Page 34 of Five Days to Be Mine

“Mr. Brennon, I’m sorry, but we can’t do the floral designs for your restaurant. I only came in today to get my stuff. I don’t know what happened to Kyle and Sabrina. Ever since Christmas, they haven’t been in that much and last week they stopped coming in at all.”

“That sounds tough.” I try to be empathetic, but I don't care that the Wilsons’ business is failing. “But I’m not calling about that.”

“What are you calling about, then?”

“I want to know where Mara is.”

Something clunks down on a table or something. There’s a cracking noise. “Mara quit.”

My chest hums with pride. Good girl.

“Do you know where she’s working now?”

“No, I don't, Mr. Brennon.” Jenny’s tone changed from level to panicky.

“I have a table open this Thursday. It’s yours if you want it.”

“No offence, Mr. Brennon, but I can't afford it.”

“It’s comped, Jenny. I’d really appreciate knowing if Mara is okay. I want to get in touch with her and talk to her.”

“Mara got a break.” Jenny’s tone is harsh. “Wendy Svennson asked Mara to design her open house party.”

“The hockey commentator?”

“Yes.” The jealousy in Jenny’s voice is unmistakable. “I don’t know where Mara is going to get the team or the space to store all that stuff.”

“What stuff?”

“You know, like frames and sculptures, some of them I worked on. But when Wendy heard the Wilsons took off, she sent a van over to get all her stuff delivered to Mara’s today.”

My heart thuds in my chest. “Do you have the address?”

“This isn’t a joke? You’re actually going to give me a table for Thursday night?”

“Yes, consider yourself a cupid’s helper,” I say.

Jenny snorts. “Okay, I'll text you the address. What time on Thursday?”

“Seven. I hope you have fun.”

“Thanks. Good luck with Mara. I don’t know what happened, but ever since we went to Sinful Bites, she’s changed.”

“How did she change?” I’m concerned that something’s happened to Mara.

“When we asked her if she wanted to work late, she snapped at us and said no and then she told the Wilsons she quit, just like that. She was in the middle of a project, too. It’s not easy to get jobs that aren’t working in a florist shop, you know? But Mara just walked out the door.”

“Sounds like she had enough,” I say mildly.

“Yeah, I wish I had walked out.”

“It’s not too late, Jenny. Thanks for the help. Don’t forget to text me.”

“I won’t.” Jenny hangs up on me.

There’s the sound of something heavy knocking into the door and I look up to see two burly guys carrying a love seat.

Steff walks around it, while they are holding it in the air.

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