Page 35 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 2

“We know,” Marlow says, “And then every year, you accumulate weeks on the clock and don’t get paid. You can’t keep doing that.” Ideally, no, I wouldn’t, but I’m left with no choice.

“Would you suggest I let people suffer?”

“I’m not trying to be heartless. I’m worried aboutyou. You deserve to be paid for your efforts and the hours worked.”

“And to have a life outside of work, especially if they aren’t paying you,” Cammie adds.”

“I agree, but what am I supposed to do?”

Sighing, Marlow huffs, sending her bangs flying up from her forehead. “I don’t know. I just worry about you.”

“I’ll be fine.”

Cammie sits up, resting her weight on her hands behind her. “What if they shut down the office?”

A deep-seated fear bubbles to the surface. It’s one I’ve tried not to think about without knowing any specifics. But it’s always there in the back of my mind.

What if I lose my job?

What if I sign a new lease and then lose my job?

How long can I stay at Rad’s? Those details haven’t been worked out. I know that I refuse to be a burden to him or cramp his lifestyle.

What if I end up back in Texas after all? I’d have to get new certifications, and would I return to my parents' house? Tail tucked between my legs . . . Off the top of my head, I reply, “There are other centers I can transfer to.”

She nods, and when I glance at Marlow, she’s staring at her lap. This topic is a real downer. My stomach interjects its own opinion with a growl.

Marlow sits up abruptly. “Hey, how about we go out for dinner? My treat.”

I suggest, “There’s a new Thai restaurant one subway station away. I’ve been wanting to try it.”

“Thai sounds great,” Marlow starts while slipping her heels back on, “but Louboutins do not belong on the subway.”

Cammie pops up. “No worries. I’ll order a car.”

As I slip on my sneakers, I listen to them chatting about everything and nothing. It’s good to be surrounded by the sound of friends and them showing up without me even asking—I’m a lucky girl.

I just hope that it carries me through this stint at Rad’s and that moving in with him will only bring us closer and not the alternative. Although it feels a lot like everything’s on the line, I suck down my worries and grab my purse.

Marlow opens the door. “You ready?”

For dinner or Rad?Either way, I say, “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

11

Rad

“Hey, you,” Tealey says, smiling like I just brought the sunshine with me. “You’re full of surprises lately.”

When she greets me in the lobby of her workplace, her light hair is in its usual state of catastrophe on top of her head, and honestly, I find it so incredibly sexy, but the temptation to pull the pencils holding it together is strong. Flushed cheeks match her lips, all under sky-blue eyes hidden behind glasses I didn’t know she wore.

The past few days have felt longer than usual, and now I understand it’s because I haven’t seen her.

“Yeah, it’s called fucking off.”Why am I sweating?You’d think I wasn’t a seasoned attorney used to intense situations.Is this intense?It shouldn’t be. I tug at my shirt to allow air under my collar.

Her laughter fills my ear. “I have my share of struggling-to-concentrate days. More lately. What’s going on?”

I dig in my pocket and hold the metal tight in my hand. When I open my palm, the only excuse I could come up with to see hertoday lies in it. “I had a key made for you. Wasn’t sure if you want to move over tonight.”

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