Page 20 of Too Safe

“You came here for a fresh start. Whatever you want that to be, whatever that looks like, I’ll support you. Just make sure it doesn’t interfere with school. Don’t take on more than you can handle,” he cautions.

I turn my head to hide the tears welling in my eyes.

A fresh start. A second chance. I wouldn’t be here without him. I’m endlessly grateful for this new beginning, and I intend to make the most of every opportunity.

Chapter 9

Josephine

I’mpullingaheapof fluffy white towels from the dryer when I’m bumped with just enough force to send me stumbling. But before I can collide with the industrial appliance, I catch myself and spin in search of the offender.

A gorgeous redhead dressed in all white side-eyes me from a few feet away as she disposes of a handful of needles in a sharps container.

“Oh. Sorry, hun. Did you need something?” she purrs, her voice sticky sweet and almost childish. I think her name is Staci. Yep. Staci, with an i.

She’s one of the nurse estheticians at Lake Chapel Radiance. Her face is made up to perfection, and her hair is perfectly coifed. Clients probably use her plump, filled lips and taut, smooth forehead for inspiration.

“No. I’m good,” I concede, proud of myself for picking my battles and passing on this one.

Marilee hired me on the spot after my working interview on Monday. The schedule is surprisingly perfect—the spa is busiest in the afternoon and evenings, and my two in-person classes are both in the morning. The pay is nearly double minimum wage, and some of the nurses share their tips.

The job is ridiculously easy, too. I check people in. Get them tea, wine, or champagne. Prepare the procedure rooms, then clean them afterward. And I take out the trash and do the laundry.

My primary objective is to be discreet—which Marilee couldn’t stress enough during my interview—and to blend in. Lucky for me, going unnoticed is a specialty of mine. The solid black uniform (nurse estheticians wear all white, and assistants and support staff wear black) makes it even easier to put my head down and focus on the task at hand.

The hours will cut into my study time a little, but I can’t pass up this kind of money. Plus, I like being busy. Putting in a solid day’s work feels good. Familiar. There’s dignity in the ability to provide for myself. I’m grateful for the exhaustion each night, and I’ve had no problem completing my homework this week while still finding time to hang out with Hunter.

I’m focused on folding the freshly laundered towels and trying my best to stay out of Staci’s way when a pair of male voices carry down the hall.

It only takes a moment to recognize them.

Popping my head out of the back room, I peek down the corridor and grin at Locke’s and Kendrick’s backs. Giddy, I fight back a girlish squeal that is so out of character I surprise myself.

I told Locke about my new job, although I have no idea how he knew I’d be working today. And I don’t remember mentioning the name of the spa, either.

I bounce excitedly on my toes as I fold the last towel, then take off after the guys. Locke and I have plans to meet up on Friday night, which means avoiding the inevitable party and another interruption on Saturday night.

Near the back entrance, the guys are talking to a man in a white coat over broad shoulders. I bite the inside of my cheek and do my best to school my expression as I continue my trek toward them, watching as each of them shakes hands with the man. Kendrick hands him something, then they turn to leave.

Fishing my phone out of my pocket, I double-check to make sure I don’t have any texts or missed calls from Locke. I click open our text thread, but the last message from him was from this morning. Confusion clouds my mind, and I pick up the pace, hoping to catch them. By the time I reach the door, the man in the white coat has ducked back into a procedure room, and the hallway is empty.

I push through the heavy door and call out as I step into the thick evening air. “Locke!”

Both men freeze in place the second my voice rings out across the small lot.

Kendrick’s head whips around, his eyes boring into me with an intense, predatory glare.

Locke turns around slowly, and when he’s facing me, he swallows thickly.

I hurry to catch up. “Hey.” I grin, slightly breathless, as I glance back at the exit to make sure no one followed me out. I only have a minute before I have to get back in there, but I can at least—

“What thefuckare you doing here, Ohio?”

Stomach plummeting, I blink rapidly and scramble to make sense of his question.

“I—I work here,” I stammer. Defensiveness creeps up my spine, so I pull myself up straighter. Squaring my shoulders, I return Kendrick’s glare. “What the fuck areyoudoing here?”

“Joey, don’t,” Locke warns, shifting from foot to foot.

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