Page 33 of Jimmy

“He won’t control you? You’ll be tattooed, pierced, and turned bad just like him.”

“You’re sure?”

“Positive. Look at you. You didn’t act out until you met him.”

Ah, this whole exchange showed how little he knew her. “I’m afraid of needles and pass out at the sight of blood, so I won’t be tattooed. I might get a piercing, but if I do, it’s because I want to, and it will be where you can’t see it.”

His eyes widened again. “My God.”

She snorted. She liked this power exchange. “Don’t get so upset about tattoos. You have a tattoo.”

“So? I’m a man.”

“You’re a weasel.”

“You’re fired.” He pointed to her locker. “Get out.”

Fired? She’d never been fired before. She squared her shoulders. “Fine.” Without a backward glance, she collected her belongings and cleaned out her locker, then slammed the door as she faced him. She tucked her things into her bag, then strutted out of the room. “Bye.”

“Good riddance,” Brett snapped.

She marched through the store to the front and left. Part of her wished she hadn’t been fired. She had no idea what to do next and no job prospects. The rest of her was relieved. She hated working for Brett and being held back. He didn’t like her because she’d turned him down. Why sleep with someone who didn’t respect her?

Still, she wasn’t sure what to do. She only had two days left with the spell. Would Jimmy help her? Or laugh at her for getting herself fired?

She stopped at the bench in front of the barber shop and sent Sarah a text. You’ll be shocked to know I just got fired. No more bookstore. She tucked her phone away and stared down the street to the tattoo shop. She wasn’t sure they’d even be open.

Crap. Should she practice what she’d say when she went there? Just blurt out her problem? She forced herself to walk to Tattoo You. The bars and indoor shutters were up, but the light wasn’t on. She knocked on the door. Maybe they were just getting ready?

Jimmy came to the door. She could see Kurt at the register. “We’re not open yet.”

She waved. Had the spell ended early? “Jimmy.”

He stared at her. “Karey?” He opened the door. “I thought you were at work.”

“Is this a bad time?” She joined him in the shop. “I should be at work, but I got fired.”

“Why?” He locked the door behind her. “What happened?”

“I told Brett off.” She clutched her bag. “I was two minutes late, he chewed me out, and I decided I’d had enough.”

“How will I fill out my Poe shelf?” Jimmy asked.

“Online shopping?” She fidgeted. Didn’t he like her any longer?

“And there was this girl there. So cute and helpful. How will I see her again?” Jimmy grinned. “Maybe I should hire her.”

Hire her? Was he serious? She must’ve misunderstood him. “Jimmy?”

“What? We could use a receptionist, and you’re a people person.” Jimmy smiled and held out his hand. “Why not?”

She still couldn’t believe her ears. “I --”

“Will you?” Kurt asked. “You’ll be perfect.”

She wobbled. She’d never had anything like this fall into place. Her life never quite worked out. But this time… it was.

“Karey?” Jimmy dipped his head. “Whatever you were making at the bookstore, add three dollars an hour.”

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