Page 52 of Timelessly Ours
“You did?” She picks up her phone and must see the notification of transferred funds. Her brows rise appreciatively. We never discussed the amount, but I meant what I’d told her; I’ll pay her well. More than she was making at the bar in tips and salary combined.
With her poker face on, she sets her phone down. “Thank you.”
“Like I said, I’m getting the better end of the deal.”
14
I spend the day at the mall with Cora, feeling guilty for leaving Rory. Like I should have brought her along or something. She would have loved the caramel pretzel dip.
And then maybe I’d take her for frozen yogurt…instead of lunch. That’s one way to prove to Daddy Coach just how wrong I am for this job.
Maybe that’s the answer. Maybe I could beat him to the punch. Why wait for Tuesday for him to change his mind—or worse—decide to keep me? We both know it won’t last. And I don’t want Rory to grow attached. She’s already expecting me to leave.
And with the sweet deposit into my account this morning, I could probably buy her something that screams bad influence.
I’m not sure what I had in mind but I pause when I see something in a window similar to what...well, to what I would wear.
What’ll Daddy think of that? Would it give him a coronary?
“Hold this.” I hand the sticky snack to Cora. “I’m going to stop in here for a minute.”
“But this is a kid's store.”
“I’ll be quick. I know what I want.”
Five minutes later, I saunter out with a smug look on my face. This should unseal the deal.
Cora catches the smirk on my face.
“You going to tell me what that’s about?” She points to my mouth. “Or feed me some bullshit?”
“Cora Knight.” I press a hand to my chest. “I am hurt. You know I never feed my girls bullshit. Just the boys." I snake my arm in hers. “Let’s go look at some leather jackets.”
Thirty minutes later, I’m checking out of the kid's superstore with a vegan leather jacket and a cool studded baseball cap for Rory to match mine. A token of appreciation for the past day and a half of finally being on my side.
And maybe a little guilt gift if I have to leave her in a few days. I want her to know we’re still buddies, with matching jackets, glammed-out hats, and colorful skull tank tops.
Cora nudges me. “You know, usually when people get paid, they pay some bills, buy themselves something pretty. You only bought yourself a pretzel and stuff for Rory.”
I scrunch my nose. “The pretzel is for her too. Plus I finally got my bright yellow streak back." It doesn't start at the root, the way Cora's does. Since my hair is long, I started it midway and down to the ends, so it's classy and can still be hidden if needed. I gasp and grip Cora's elbow. "I forgot. I need one more thing. Then I promise, I'll shop for me."
We find a vendor that sells girls' hair accessories and I pick out two yellow clip-on hair pieces, holding it up to mine. "Which one matches best?"
Cora examines and points. "That one."
I squeal and purchase the artificial hair.
Cora shakes her head and strolls along with me. “So… how’s it going?”
I release a groan. “It’s hard. But I think I’m getting better at this, at least I hope I am.”
“And how’s it going with Rory?” she asks innocently.
“I was talking about Rory.”
Cora smirks. “Oh were you? I thought we were talking about how you’re handling living under the same roof as the man you want to bang.”
“What?” I stop dead in my tracks and glance around us, as if we’ll see someone from our circle of friends. Or Royce himself. Which is ridiculous. He took Rory to the movies and probably lunch at some fancy place. “I don’t want to bang Coach Collins.”