Page 91 of Love Is Ale You Need

“Just tell me you’ll take it. As far as your schedule goes, whatever time you need off or whatever appointments you need to go to, I’ll make it work. Since heavy lifting is off limits, either Lach or I will be here for delivery days to move all the boxes.”

I nod, soaking in everything he’s telling me. With the baby coming, I’ll need all the money I can get. “Can you give me a couple of days to think about it?”

“Of course. Take all the time you need. But not too long.” He flashes me a half-smile, but in terms of Jake smiles, that’s equivalent to a full-blown toothy grin.

“Thanks, Jake.” I rise to my feet and stop before I leave. I press my lips together. “About the break in… some time ago, there was a truck that followed me after I left work. It was only a couple of miles, so maybe it was a coincidence, but I wanted to say something, especially now.”

“Wait.” Jake taps away on the keyboard and twists his monitor to face me. “It’s only a partial view, but does that look familiar?”

Leaning in, I study the grainy black and white photo and there’s one thing that jumps out at me. “It’s missing the side mirror. The truck that followed me was missing one, too.”

“Do you know who owns it?”

I shake my head. “No. I don’t.” I blink. “Oh wait. I was with Trey and I saw a truck that looked familiar.” I tap my finger to my lips, racking my brain for the name he told me. “Wilcox. Henry Wilcox. But I’m not one hundred percent if the truck I saw with Trey is the same one that followed me out of here.”

“Alright. I’ll let the police know. Stay alert and keep everything on the down low.”

“Okay. Will do.” I stroll through the doorway and down the hallway. The truck and the break in are at the forefront of my thoughts. Are the two related? Or a coincidence? I chew on my thumb nail thinking back to the night leaving the parking lot.

When I step out into the bar, Dessa perks up and jumps off her stool and wraps her arms around my shoulders, catching me by surprise. “Oh my god. Jake fired you. The frown on your face says it all.” She squeezes me again before yelling over my shoulder, “Jake! I quit!” She leans closer. “We don’t need this place. We’ll find something else. Something better.”

“Jake didn’t fire me.”

She frowns. “Then why do you look so sad?”

I keep the talk about the truck to myself. “Because he gave me a promotion.”

“So, you’re not fired?”

“No.”

She leans past me again. “Jake! Just kidding! I love working here!” Her attention focuses back on me. “Congratulations. I’m so happy for you. When do you start?”

“Thanks. I haven’t agreed yet though.”

“You’re taking it, right?”

“Yeah. I just want Jake to sweat it out for a bit.” A smirk covers my lips.

“This is why we’re best friends.” She wraps me in another hug. “Since we have the rest of the day off, want to go get breakfast? My treat.”

“Thanks, but Kyle is coming to pick up Abby tonight, so I want to run some errands before Trey comes over.” I’ve been craving a night alone with Trey. I forgot how difficult it is to carve out alone time when you have a kid. Now with another on the way, we want to take every moment available to spend together.

“I get it. You two will be stuffing the turkey. Enjoy it. I’m not jealous one bit.” She rests a hand on her hip. “Of the sex. Not Trey.”

“Got it.” I laugh.

* * *

I spent the rest of the morning grocery shopping and in the afternoon, I cleaned the apartment. With only a few minutes to spare, I grabbed a backpack and swiftly packed an overnight bag for Abby, ensuring she had everything she would need for the night.

The intercom for my apartment buzzes. Since Trey texted me he was coming, I knew it was him and let him inside. While I haven’t been able to get him a copy of the main door key, I gave him one of my extras for my apartment.

Before he’s two steps through the doorway, Abby jumps off the couch and barrels toward him. “Squirrel!”

He bends down and wraps his arms around her. “How’s my chipmunk?”

“Good. Come see the picture I drew at school today.” She grabs his hand and tugs him toward her room.

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