Page 74 of Give Me Love

“Because I can’t get a loan.”

“Why not?”

“My credit is shot. My stepdad stole my social when I was eighteen. He had a little fun at my expense.”

Her eyes grow wide, like she’s surprised I’m telling her this. And it’s sad how little I’ve actually told her about my stepdad and mom considering how long we’ve known each other. I’ve got to do better.

“That sucks.” She leans against the counter. “You know I can sign with you or ask my parents.”

I shake my head. “No.”

She sighs. “How else are you going to get it?”

“I guess I’m not.” I move my leg so she can get in the drawer, resting my chin on my knee. “I’m not sure what the hell I’m going to do with my life now. That place is in a great part of town. Once she makes it known that it’s available, it will be sold in no time. What if the new owners turn it into something totally different?”

She twists the cork off the wine bottle and peels the metal wrapping. “That could very well happen.” Claire pours me a cup, and I jump down to put a few pieces of ice into it. I take the bottle from her and place it into the fridge before following her into the living room. She kicks her shoes off and removes her socks. I take a seat and stare at the black TV screen.

“I just had all these plans, and now I feel like I just got here and I have no idea what I’m doing.”

“Kathrine Harrison. You have a business degree.”

My eyes go to the bottom of the TV stand, which shines like never before. “No one gave that to you. You worked your ass off and earned it. You moved away at eighteen years old with a bag full of savings earned from waiting tables. You got off a bus in a big ass city and found a job and then a place to live. Whatever happens with Mugs & Books happens. Either way, I have all the faith that you will be okay. Do something else. You don’t have to own a coffee and bookstore.”

I roll my head against the couch to look over at her. “But I love that place. I want to own it. It put me through college. Karen took me in. I want to keep running it.”

She pats my leg. “I know. But if you don’t get anyone to help you, it doesn’t look like that’ll be a possibility.”

I look up at the now dust-free ceiling fan. I really cleaned the hell out of this place.

“You’re going to need to swallow some of that pride you’ve got and take the help or make a new plan.” She shrugs, and I roll my finger over the condensation on my glass. “You just have all the answers, don’t you?”

She smirks. “I am your Yoda.”

I laugh. “Well, go bathe, Yoda. You smell.”

She kicks my leg playfully. “Hey, I’m a hardworking woman.”

“How’s that going, anyway?”

She takes a gulp of her wine and swallows. “I love it. But it’s a lot.” Her eyes narrow, and she looks down at her glass.

“What?” I ask.

My best friend shakes her head. “Today, when I was walking home, I could have sworn someone was watching me. You know how you get that feeling?” she asks, looking over at me.

“Yeah,” I reply. “Did you see anyone?”

“No. I looked around for a while but never saw anything. I dunno. Probably just me being paranoid again.”

“I thought we agreed you’d call me if you had a bad feeling?”

“I know. I just… I don’t think it was anything.” She stands, stretching as she does. “Anyway, this glass of wine and I are going to take a bath, and I may even have a little alone time with Mr. Pinky.”

“Mr. Pinky?” I ask.

She waggles her brows. “You know who I’m talking about.”

I lift mine. “I really don’t.”

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