Page 11 of Broken

I give her a huge smile, then glance at my watch. Shit, lunch was over ten minutes ago.

“When would you need me to start?”

Ruby hands me an application form. “Is tomorrow too soon?”

“Don’t you need to run checks? I’m new to the area but I’m trustworthy, I know how to work all the machines and the register.”

“Calli, you literally stopped me from committing murder. I’m gonna offer you the job.”

“Great.”

“How about a coffee to seal the deal?”

“Want me to make it?”

She grabs my arm. “Oh, we are so going to be friends.”

Chapter Four

Calli

The following Friday, Sin meets me and Ruby at the pub across from the coffee shop. I didn’t go back to the real estate office. I filled in my application then stayed and talked to Ruby for a while. I did call to say something came up, and I’d speak to them the next day, chickening out of quitting then and there.

When I explained to Ruby what I’d done, she laughed her ass off. I didn’t tell her the reason why I had that job, or why I’dmoved all my worldly belongings across the country. All Ruby cared about was gaining an experienced staff member.

Usually, they hire college kids but they never last, hence why they’re so short staffed with the summer break coming up. I assured her I won’t walk out, even if I did at my other job.

It’s hard work, being on my feet all day, arriving at work at seven each morning. We close at four, so it isn’t all bad. But it is the end of my first full week in Baltimore and Sin wants to do something.

I really like Ruby, she’s quirky and has a mouth on her that I took no offense to whatsoever. I know she’ll get on with Sin.

The place we go is a traditional English pub. The bar is long and mahogany, there are lots of alcoves as well as open areas, all with seats slotted in, some close together, others more private. I love the layout, it isn’t exactly the style I would design but there is something timeless about it.

There is a carpet on most of the floors except by the bar where it’s exposed wood. Edison lamps hang from the ceiling and uplighter wall lamps give the whole place an ambient glow.

It’s busy because it's happy hour on a Friday night. I love it as soon as we step in.

Ruby gets us a corner table in a small alcove by the fireplace. It isn’t lit, it’s too warm for that right now but I imagine it is amazing in winter.

Sin orders us three pints of Guinness. I frown but she assures me I’ll love it. I set my glass down on the cardboard coasters bearing the pub’s name.

“God, you have no idea how I have longed for this moment,” Sin sips her drink, eyes closed.

I exchange a glance with Ruby at the noises she is making, and we burst out laughing. Sin doesn’t give a shit, encouraging us to try the drink. It’s unique, sweetandbitter, and almost reminds me of coffee.

I shrug when Sin asks what I think and take another sip. I’m not gonna run out and buy bottles of it, but it’s not gross.

This is nice, being here with them. I work so hard, by the time I get home, all I want to do is flop on the sofa and watch TV. I am procrastinating. I still haven’t fully unpacked and haven’t been out to explore the neighborhood.

A number of times I have punished myself looking up news reports. It’s still big news in San Antonio, the demise of my firm, my family. The trial is still talked about, even now it’s all over.

Maybe this isn’t the life I envisioned for myself, but it’s the life I have. I cut off all ties with anyone back home, changed my phone number and deleted all my social media. No one except my lawyer knows where I am, and I intend to keep it that way.

I move on to cider while Sin and Ruby get another Guinness. I crack a joke about their shit coming out black that has Ruby’s nose wrinkling and Sin cackling. We always had a gutter sense of humor. I’d lost that a little over the last few years, but it’s coming back easily.

Nature calls and I get up to use the bathroom. The floors are sticky, and the hand dryers don’t work but the cubicles are clean, with plenty of toilet paper and the soap smells good. It all adds to the charm.

When I make my way back to the table, there are two women and a guy with Sin and Ruby.

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