Page 99 of Dark Endures

Like that deep tissue one. I thought I was going to cry.

What they don’t understand is that I can’t lose my job. Not only do I actually enjoy it, but I can’t survive without it. Especially since Maddox is probably going to fire me the next time I see him. “Could you hand me my phone? It should be in my purse.” Unless I left it in the cab. Time got a little fuzzy around then.

There’s some movement, then Delia says, “Sorry, there isn’t a phone in here.”

Where could it be?

The coffee table. Dahlia and I were looking up wedding stuff. “Can I borrow a phone for a minute?”

“Sure. You don’t need to worry about anyone finding you with this number. The ID is blocked. Even the best hackers haven’t been able to break it.”

Well…that’s comforting and more than a little scary.

How many women end up at places like this that they need to have blocked numbers? I don’t want to think about that either.

Even loopy, it’s not too hard to remember my work number. With an old cell phone that’s glitchy, it’s always smart to memorize important phone numbers.

Pit’s number slid out of my mind.

He only gave it to me yesterday.

What am I going to do? I can’t face calling Maddox this morning after the big deal Pit made about being my boss now and taking care of stuff like this. How do I get Pit’s number?

Fiona!!!!

She seems to know everyone around there. Maybe she’ll have Pit’s number or someone who has his number who she can connect me with.

“Hello.” Fiona’s voice is muffled by all the chatter and laughter in the background.

“Fea, it’s Mindy.” There’s no way she’d be able to recognize my voice. I don’t even recognize my own.

“Mindy? Is something wrong?” The background noise evaporates.

Lie! “I’ve just got a cold. Nothing to worry about. Do you, by chance, have Pit’s number? I need to call him to tell him I’m not going to be in to work today.”

“Of course. He’s right here. But do you want to talk to Maddox?”

NO!!!!!!!! “I don’t want to bother him. If I could just get Pit’s number or talk to him for a moment.”

“Are you sure?”

Positive. There’s no way I want to be fired today. “Yes.”

“Okay.” She sounds leery. “Hang on a second.”

It’s a long second of complete silence.

Did the phone disconnect?

“Hello.” His gruff voice booms through the phone.

“Hi.”

“What happened to you, woman?”

I was throttled by a drunk man that I trusted. “I’m not feeling well.”

“That’s an understatement. You sound horrible.”

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