Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 65862 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 329(@200wpm)___ 263(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65862 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 329(@200wpm)___ 263(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
I release him and take a step back as he tries to stand on his own feet. “No, we’re far from cool. But you’ve been warned.” He nods, coughing as he rubs his neck. I take a business card out of my pocket and hold it out to him. “If anything strange happens with her, or that guy Fritz shows up, you call me.”
He takes the card and nods, glancing up at me then away.
I don’t say anything else as I turn away from him and walk out the door. I’m too on edge and too worked up. I would have never done anything like this before Blair, and I don’t know how much more of this shit I can take.
Chapter 4
Blair
When I wake up the next morning, Bear is sitting on my chest. He grunts like some kind of wild animal instead of the adorable cat I know he can be. He’s hungry. I smile and scratch behind his ear because I can’t even be mad at him. I know what it’s like to have that hollow feeling in your belly. It’s probably the reason he’s so robust. I wouldn’t ever call him chubby, but he’s definitely on the upper end of his weight requirements.
“Look at you wasting away to nothing. Let’s go get your breakfast,” I coo as he prances on the bed, waiting for me.
I walk out of my room and straight to the kitchen. There’s no chance of me seeing Roxy this early. He usually sleeps until noon, which was nice when I had later classes. But my new schedule means I don’t get the place to myself much anymore.
When Bear is fed and no longer screeching like he’s dying, I head back to my room to get ready. Thankfully I’ve got my own bathroom. I can’t even begin to imagine what Roxy’s looks like. I was tempted to go peek a few times when he was out, but I knew I couldn’t un-see whatever was in there.
When I’m showered, I lotion up and then grab the clothes I laid out for the day. I wanted something nice to wear into the gallery, and I noticed no one really wore color. That eliminated about half my wardrobe, but luckily, I’ve still got plenty of black.
I needed an outfit to wear into work while I was on the floor, as Lilith said. So, I chose a sleeveless black shift dress with black ballet flats. Then I have a small bag with a pair of jeans, a T-shirt, and sneakers. It gets hot as hell in the warehouse, but I need jeans because I might have to climb on some crates.
I pile my long dark hair up in a messy knot, but it still looks cute. I put on some dangly earrings and remind myself to take them off when I change later. I line my hazel eyes and put on dark mascara, then just some soft pink lip gloss. I want a simple look that seems professional and young. I don’t know if it’s right, but I’m just going to go for it.
When I’m all finished I grab my bag, pet Bear one last time and then go to the kitchen. I grab my to-go coffee and keys then make my way to work.
Thankfully my feet have recovered from yesterday and the simple flats are good for a walk this morning. Once I’m outside, the warm morning air is already thick with humidity. Growing up in Louisiana I’m used to this kind of steam, but I don’t believe anyone is ever truly comfortable with the south in the summer. Thankfully Charleston is one of those old port cities that’s on the ocean, so we get a bit of a gentle breeze. It will keep about one percent of the mosquitos off of you, and that’s better than nothing.
My favorite way to go to work is down Rainbow Row. The brightly painted houses are like little beacons of hope as I walk by them. These are homes I’ll never be able to afford, even if I had ten lifetimes to save. But they sure are pretty to look at.
Suddenly my mama’s voice rings in my head saying, “they got more money than God,” and I can’t help but laugh. At least there are some good memories I can hold on to.
I walk by one and notice a sleek charcoal-gray car. The windows are so black I can’t see inside, and I wonder if some kind of international dignitary is living in one of those places. I stop for a second and look it over. Something about the car catches my eye and I love the way it looks. I stand there probably longer than I should, because suddenly I feel like someone is watching me. It’s an odd sensation, and the hair on the back of my neck stands up. I even reach back to touch it, thinking maybe a mosquito got me, but there’s nothing there. It’s like a cool breeze just drifted across that one spot, and though I don’t feel scared, I feel aware.