Page 34 of Bidding on the Orc Outcast

Nina clutched the paper to her chest like a lifeline. “Yes, please.”

Posy walked her through the shop’s layout - the vintage clothing section organized by decade and the racks of less valuable clothing, the corner with antique furniture and the section with old books and magazines. Nina listened intently, asking intelligent questions and nodding thoughtfully as she explained the pricing system.

After the tour, Nina perched on a stool at the counter and filled out her application, hesitating at each question. When she was finished, Posy took the completed application and scanned it. The answers were minimal at best.

“It says here that you’re new to Fairhaven Falls,” she said, trying to sound casual. “Where did you move from?”

“Atlanta.” Nina’s smile faltered. “It’s a long story.”

“Those are usually the most interesting.” She kept her gaze on the application, not wanting to spook Nina by staring at her. “If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine, of course. But if you ever need someone to listen…”

Nina chewed her lip, then gave her a weak smile. “It’s kind of a lot. Maybe another time? I’d rather focus on the future.”

“A second chance,” she said softly, then reached across the counter and squeezed Nina’s hand. “Well, I’m glad you ended up here. It’s a good place to start over.”

Throughout the rest of the afternoon, Nina proved to be a natural. Her knowledge of fashion history helped three different customers find exactly what they were looking for. She handled the register like she’d been doing it for years, and even reorganized a rack of 1950s dresses by color and style.

But there was something in the way Nina flinched when the door chimed. How her shoulders tensed whenever someone walked too close. The way her eyes darted to the exits. Why was she so wary?

Nina also quickly deflected any personal questions. When a customer asked where she was from, she smoothly redirected the conversation to the beaded purse the woman was holding.

The sun was setting when Nina finished reorganizing the jewelry case. Her hands were steady but dark circles rimmed her eyes.

“You’ve done amazing work today.” She counted out a week’s worth of wages from the register. “Here - consider it an advance. You’ve more than proven yourself.”

Nina stared at the money. “I can’t-”

“You can and you will.” She locked the register with a decisive click

Nina reached for the money with trembling hands. “Thank you. What time should I come in tomorrow?”

“Eight thirty.” She hesitated, then added, “And we’ll have breakfast. I always pick up extra pastries from the bakery across the street.

A flash of relief crossed Nina’s face before she schooled her features back to neutral. “That’s very kind of you.”

She hesitated, then asked gently, “Do you have a place to stay?”

She didn’t want to embarrass the other woman but she hadn’t recognized the address on the application. Nina flashed her a quick smile. The smile transformed her features, revealing the beauty beneath the exhaustion and wariness.

“I’m staying with a… friend,” she said quickly. “I’ll be fine.”

She wanted to press for more details but decided against it. Whatever Nina was hiding, it was clearly painful. She couldn’t force her to share her story, even if she wanted to protect her.

“I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

After Nina left, she climbed the narrow stairs to her apartment but tonight her cozy home felt silent and empty. She lit some candles and turned on her favorite playlist, but nothing dispelled the hollow feeling that had settled in her chest.

She wandered into the kitchen, touching the scorched spot on the door of the stove from her failed dinner with Varek. The bouquet of wildflowers he’d brought sat in a mason jar on her counter, dried but still fragrant.

Her vintage dishes were stacked neatly in the cupboard, unused since that night. She’d planned to cook for him again, maybe actually succeed this time. Now it didn’t seem like she’d ever get a chance.

She sighed and collapsed onto her couch, hugging a throw pillow to her chest. The apartment felt too empty tonight. Even the sounds of Main Street below seemed muffled and far away. Varek’s presence had filled the room, made it feel warmer, more alive.

She pulled out her phone, finger hovering over his number. Flora had programmed it in “just in case” although she’d warned her that he usually kept it off. And even if he answered, what would she say?

I miss you.

That was the truth. She missed him. Not just the fire in his kisses, but the attentive way he listened to her, the careful way he tended his plants, the gruff exterior that hid a kind heart.

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