Page 107 of Haunt the Mall
“Let’s get started, shall we?” The rep closed the door and glanced at me. “We’ve done your evaluation, not only for this period, but over the course of your employment with the company.”
I steeled myself. It took significant effort to peel my tongue off the roof my mouth, even if she did have this coming. I looked her in the eyes and recited the neutral script HR had provided me: “Bree, we are letting you go, effective immediately.”
She reeled back with her mouth ajar, but I kept going before she could say anything or take a swing at me.
“Thank you for all your hard work. I genuinely appreciate—”
The HR rep cleared her throat. Shit, that was off-script.
I folded my hands in my lap and resumed my lines. “We have some logistics to go over with you. We’ll also need your store keys. After that, we can answer any questions.”
The HR rep nodded, then handed Bree a clipboard with the paperwork she’d need to sign.
I couldn’t hear the explanations over my heartbeat pounding in my ears. Bree didn’t look at me. She gaped at the termination forms like they required her blood instead of her signature.
What she didn’t understand was, now she’d be free. Whether her beef was with Hot Contra or me, the bottom line was she wasn’t happy. She wasn’t growing, either. Now, she had a reason to find her calling. Or at least something that fit her personality.
At the end of it all, she gave me her keys, and I gave her the drink, the condensation slipping down my fingers and splatting on the floor. My voice rasped, and I tried to smile. “Goodbye, Bree. Good luck with everything.”
She eyed me, her dark eyes hard, then nodded. Her lower lip trembled, but she left with her head held high and her platforms stomping to the beat.
It was probably the last time I’d see her: my first work buddy, and my first firing. I hoped wherever she went, she did go in peace.
A few giggling teens whispered near the window. They gestured animatedly to Willow, who talked to them without the stiffness of a zombie.
I strolled over and re-folded a stray T-shirt.
They all fell silent and glanced at me. I almost laughed. Did they think they were subtle or something?
I smiled. “Hi. Can I help you?”
“Yes.” Willow drew her hair across her cheeks and glanced at the window. “Are we hiring for Halloween?”
“And beyond.” I wagged my brows.
“These kids go to my school.” She gestured behind her, and the teens waved. “Do you think… Could we work some of the same shifts?”
“We’ll see. Why don’t they fill out their availability?” I got them the forms, then led Willow to her evaluation.
“I think it’d be really cool to work with a friend,” she confessed.
“It can be.” My heart ached, but the excitement on the teens’ faces reassured me of one thing: Hot Contra was full of possibility. So many people discovered themselves here. I’d been lucky enough to find my confidence—and my love—at this mall. Now, I’d carry it with me forever.
44
Halloween
It would’ve been easy to re-use my random mistress of cobwebs costume for Halloween. Too easy. Luckily, Zero had no problem repurposing some of her test animatronic legs into a black widow spider costume. Victor secured the leg-infused brace over my red-and-black corset. His cool fingers brushed my back.
I shivered with pleasure and grinned over my shoulder at him. “How does it feel, putting my clothes on for once?”
“Important,” he purred, smoothing his palms along my bare skin.
“It is.” I rubbed my thighs together, still tingling, and clasped his fingers. “I appreciate all your help, Spider-Man.”
He arched his eyebrow, which had been darkened with my eyeshadow. “You have no idea how long it took me to convince Zero we needed six legs.”
“Why? Was she not counting my real legs?” I bumped him with my ass.