Page 32 of Jimmy

“He won’t care.” Her boss was a worm.

“Think about what we discussed and if you love Jimmy,” Sarah said. “It could be the start of your happy ever after.”

“It could.”

“But the thing I’ve read is that if you don’t truly love each other at the end of the seven days and say that you love each other, the spell ends, and he’ll forget you.”

She stared at Sarah. “You’re fucking kidding me.”

“No. It’s the clause I can’t explain. Truly, you have to fall in love and vocalize it, then you’ll stay together. If you don’t, then he’ll forget who you are.”

“That’s messed up.” She spotted Brett. “But I don’t have time to worry about it.”

“Go. I’d hate to see you get fired because of me.” Sarah snorted. “I’d love to see you get fired because you told him to go to hell instead.”

“That could be arranged.” The more she got to know Jimmy, the more she started believing in herself and the more she realized how much of a crumb Brett could be.

She deserved more, but Brett did know how to use her love of books against her.

“I’ll let you go, but I do hope you and Jimmy make it. If you love him, tell him.”

“We’ll have to see.” She did care about Jimmy so much. “I’ll see you. Thanks for the ride.”

“Anytime,” Sarah said. “You’re giving me faith in people and love.”

“Not yet.” She hadn’t admitted she loved Jimmy yet.

“You will fall so hard for him, if you haven’t already,” Sarah said. “And I’m jealous. Go.”

“I will.” She left the car and hurried into the store. She clocked in and tucked her belongings into her locker.

Brett stopped her in the doorway from the breakroom. “You’re late.”

She checked her watch. “By two minutes.”

“You owe the store two minutes,” Brett said. “I’m tired of your tardiness.”

She folded her arms and cocked her hip. She’d only been late twice, including today. She’d been a perfect worker and tended to stay late without question. She’d also had enough of Brett. “What is your deal?”

“Excuse me?” Brett stepped back. “Are you getting snappy with me?”

She fortified her courage. “Yes, I am.”

“You’d better watch yourself.” Brett folded his arms. “You can be replaced.”

“No kidding.”

Brett’s eyes widened, and he opened his mouth but said nothing.

She’d stunned him? Good. “I can easily be replaced because I’m a worker bee. I like being a worker bee, but I also like being respected. I do my job, and you don’t see it because you’re too busy feeling superior. Fine. Be that way.”

“You really have found your voice.” Brett crooked his brow. “You’re too full of yourself. And what are you going to do about it?”

“What am I going to do? I believe I deserve better.” She stood straighter. “Do you know why I stopped dating you?”

“You took up with that dangerous guy,” Brett said. “You decided you wanted a dirty, bad man.”

She rolled her eyes. “I stopped because you’re a jerk. You’re a jerk to work for and terrible to date. You want to run everyone’s lives, and I’m not here to be controlled.”

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