Page 112 of Heartbeats & Highways

“And you?”

“I’m a receptionist at Three Kings.” When she looked confused, I clarified, “A tattoo parlor. It’s closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Hence the reason we can linger here this fine Tuesday morning. Brielle’s brothers own the place.”

“Ah.”

“And Jazz is her best friend.”

Jazz approached with our drinks. A latte for Cozy, hot chocolate for me.

“You haven’t touched your scones,” she admonished.

“Too busy gabbing,” I explained.

Jazz pulled out the chair next to me. “The first rush is over. I have a few minutes to hang out.”

“Good,” I said. “Get Brielle. I need to pick your brains.”

Jazz turned her head over her shoulder, preparing to yell. I hastily put a hand over her mouth. “I’ve had a bad night’s sleep, and I smell like worm jerky—I can’t do loud.”

I lowered my hand.

“Worm jerky?” Jazz asked.

“Never mind,” I muttered.

“Fine. I’ll go get her. Be right back.” Jazz hopped up.

I broke open my scone and took a bite. Jazz returned with Brielle a minute later and the four of us crowded around the tiny marble café table.

“I was summoned,” Brielle said.

“I need help,” I blurted out.

“Help? With what?” Jazz asked.

“I need to find a new place to live. Savage and I are officially moving in together.” I waited for their shock, but it never came. “Seriously? You’re not surprised?”

“Uh, he bought you a car,” Brielle said.

“And you’re his Old Lady,” Jazz added. “Moving in together seemed kind of inevitable.”

“Wait, he bought you the SUV?” Cozy gaped.

“Yeah. He did.”

“Whoa. Wait, what’s an Old Lady?” Cozy asked.

I quickly explained and then got back on track. “Savage said he’d take care of the rent and everything. But it feels . . . I want to contribute, you know? But I can’t pay a lot. He’s out of town on a run up to Idaho, but he said to start looking and we’d find a place when he got back. But I’d love to find something on my own and just sort of . . . surprise him. And I want to get my license while he’s gone. I want to show him that I . . .”

When I trailed off Brielle gently prodded, “That you what?”

“That she doesn’t need to be taken care of,” Cozy said, her eyes sliding to mine. “Right?”

I nodded. “So do you guys have an idea of where I can find a clean, safe place to live with Savage that I can afford?”

“Hmm.” Jazz’s brow furrowed in thought.

I looked at Brielle. “You said you were Irish. Know any leprechauns who want to give me their pot of gold?”

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