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He nods immediately, making me wonder if I’ve just spared him the trouble of firing me.
“Perhaps that’s for the best,” he says. “You have enough to cover you through the end of your resignation period. Is that what you’re telling me—that you won’t be coming back?”
The certainty in his voice tells me my suspicion is correct. Despite already holding my resignation, he’d been about to fire me.
This day can’t get any worse.
“Yes, sir,” I say quietly. He nods again, rapidly.
“Yes, I think that’s for the best.” He hits a button on his phone. “I’ll have Shana help you pack your things.”
Twenty minutes and some confused hugs later, my former coworkers watch me carry the box of personal effects out to my car. No farewell party, no fuss. Just a cardboard box containing mementos of the last three years of my life.
Even knowing I’d been facing this day, that I’d chosen it myself, that it’d be coming soon, I’m not prepared for the sudden sense of loss as I wave goodbye to Shana one last time and start the car.
Evie calls as I’m pulling out of the parking lot.
“Hey girl,” I answer.
“Hey,” she says. “You okay?”
I smile. Rather than ask me for all the sordid details, she asks if I’m okay first. Considering we don’t know each other all that well, I take it as a sign that maybe we’re going to be friends after all.
“I’m still here,” I say, putting as much optimism in my voice as I can.
“At the risk of sounding like a reporter,” she says, “You’ve been holding out on me.”
I laugh. “What can I say? It’s good to be me.” At least, I’d thought so up until a couple of hours ago.
“I bet,” says Evie, her voice thick with envy. “One of these days I’m going to get you drunk and pry the details out of you.”
“You’re welcome to try,” I say. She laughs.
“Seriously, though,” says Evie. “Are you okay? Is there anything I can do?”
I think back over the screenshots she sent and shake my head before realizing Evie can’t see me.
“I don’t think so,” I tell her, pulling up to Cooper’s building. We’ve spent most of our nights together at Drew’s apartment and one or two at my place. I’ve never been here before. It looks like a pub, though the fire escape up the side of the building tells me there must be apartments upstairs. “But I appreciate the thought.”
I assure Evie I’m fine and when we hang up a minute later, I’m still no closer to understanding what’s happened to my life today than I was before she called. The pub looks mostly empty, so I take a chance and step inside. The bartender waves, setting down his tray before coming over to greet me.
“What can I get you?”
He’s tall, thick with muscle, and bristling with energy. Everything about this guy screams “danger” to me, though his face is friendly and open. Good guy to have working a bar, I guess.
“I’m looking for Cooper Lawson,” I say. “Do you know where I can find him?” I eyeball the stairs toward the back of the restaurant floor. When I turn back to look at the bartender, he shakes his head.
“Can’t help you there,” he says. “Coop was in here earlier, but he went upstairs before lunch.”
“His car’s still parked outside,” I say, pointing out the window. The bartender shrugs.
“Wish I could tell you more, beautiful,” he says, giving me a half-smile.
“Thanks,” I say, heading for the stairs in the back. I can feel the bartender watching me as I make my way up, but he doesn’t say anything to stop me. In a bigger city I’d be worried about Cooper’s security if he really lives up here, but considering this town’s about as American Midwest as it gets, I’m not surprised to arrive at the landing at the top of the stairs unchallenged.
Then again, if the bartender downstairs is any indication, they probably don’t need added security.
The first door on the left matches Cooper’s apartment number, so I knock quietly at first. No sounds comes from inside, so I knock louder. Another minute goes by. I try pounding with my fist, because a nasty suspicion is bubbling up in my gut and I don’t like it, not one bit.
