Page 19 of All We Need

It’s easier if everyone thinks the reason for my insubordination is to cause trouble.

All they see is me smiling and cracking jokes.

When really, my legs are kicking below the surface, waiting for a break in the current.

IfIdon’t find it soon,I’mscaredI’lldrown.

CHAPTER SIX

alessandra

Where the hell is it?

I flip over the cushions of the sofa for the third time, searching for my little compact wallet.

I’ve already called the grocery store, they said they couldn’t locate it.Iremember having it after my store run three days ago.Ihardly go anywhere, so where?—

“Fuck.”Myeyes clamp shut as the cushion bounces off the floor in frustration.

OurPlaceis the last buildingIwant to step foot in today, especially sinceI’vebeen working before the sun rose.I’mnot in the mood to speak to anyone, let alone have another run-in withBoothSadler.Everyinteraction with him has been confusing.Onesecond,Iwant to wipe his smug grin off his face, and the next,Iwant to…not.

I’m seriously debating ordering a new set of cards and driver’s license when another email pings from my laptop.Myhead snaps in its direction, curls getting caught in my lashes.Iswipe them away asImake my way over to the small dining table whereI’vebeen working all day.

Thanks to the time difference with ourEuropeanoffices,Iwas bombarded with last-minute requests to review proposals in the middle of the night.I’dplanned on giving them my feedback and responses untilIgot distracted by somethingIshouldn’t have.Whichseems to be the theme of this trip.

The time on the top right of the screen tells me it’s past nine at night.

The restaurant closes soon, so maybe the chance of seeingDimplesis low.Weighingup the odds,Islip on my black boots, wrap a thick wool scarf around my neck to keep my hair contained, and throw on my coat.

Cold wind nips at my skin andIalmost lose my footing on the slick sidewalk.There’sbeen no fresh snow for days, and the ground is basically solid ice.Takingeach step with caution, it doubles the time to walk down the incline ofRobinRoadand to reach my destination.Theredbrick building stands out against the snow, and the navy blue paint glistens under the streetlamp, with its glossy white lobster sitting below the lettering.

I’ll be in and out in five minutes, max.

A blast of warm air fights away the cold.Twosets of eyes dart my way.Patrickfrom the other day, and a blonde woman who rounds the bar to greet me.

“Hey,I’mso sorry, we’re actually closing soon,” she says softly, smiling politely.

My smile doesn’t reach my eyes like hers. “I’mnot here to eat.IthinkIleft my wallet here last week.”

“Oh, sure, lemme check.Wekeep a log of all lost-and-found.”Shereturns to the bar, andIfollow.

“It was onThursday.”Turning,Ipoint toward the table along the exposed brick wall. “Rightover there.”

She pulls out a book and flips through the pages. “Hmm,I’mnot seeing anything.Letme go check in the back.Waithere.”

As the minutes pass,Iget more antsy.Thelast table isclosing their bill when the blonde comes back, steps hurried and with a different smile on her face.Thisone is stiff, forced almost.

“Umm, would you mind coming to the office?” she asks. “I’mJohanna, by the way.”

“To the office?”Myhead tilts in question.

“Yeah, it’s, uh, policy.Wehave to verify it’s you.”Sheturns and shakes her head, muttering something under her breath.

It doesn’t take a genius to guess what’s happening, and despite my annoyance,I’mintrigued to see where this goes.Ratherthan question her, she leads the way to the back of the restaurant.

We stop outside whatIpresume is the office.Herhand hovers above the handle and she pins me with an apologetic look. “Ireally am sorry about this.”

“That sounds really ominous, you know that, right?”

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