Stella
maybe not as well as you think.
Stud
we’ll see ;) sweet dreams, Stella.
I sigh dreamily. My resolve is withering, so I lock my phone and put it facedown next to me. I am determined to lose myself in televised historical romance instead of muddling up my own life. If Anthony can’t get his life together when it comes to romance, I don’t think it’s fair for anyone to expect me to either. My phone buzzes periodically, but I will not check it. I need to detox from real life men after these last few days.
If I ignore him tonight and give half-hearted responses for the next little while, it should be enough to have him get the message. It’s my foolproof method for getting guys to leave me alone. Just don’t give them what they want. Be unenthusiastic and they’ll head to better hunting grounds.
But he doesn’t give up.
After the fifth text I grab my phone to give him a piece of my mind, only to see that it’s Hazel who’s been texting me.
Hazel Nut
Do you need a ride home from James’? It’s colder than a witch’s tit outside.
Fifteen minutes later:
Hazel Nut
James says you grabbed an uber home. We would have driven you for free! Let us know once you get there, it’s still dangerous outside.
Hazel Nut
Did you get home safe?
Five minutes later:
Hazel Nut
Please confirm you got home.
And just now:
Hazel Nut
I’m going to call you now. If you don’t answer I’m calling the police to report your murder.
I read it right as the call comes through. I answer immediately.
“I’m fine, I only saw your texts now,” I shout into the phone, hoping to soothe the beast.
“Oh, thank god! I was worried! Why wouldn’t you ask for a ride? Or stay at Ria’s for the night? It’s still bad out there, Stella. Just because you cantechnicallydrive out there doesn’t mean it’s recommended.”
Okay, so she’s not soothed.
“Sorry, I really wanted to sleep in my own bed before work tomorrow. I missed my fuzzy socks.” I hope she hears the pout in my voice. Hazel can never resist the power of my pout.
“Fine. I’m glad you’re okay,” she says, noticeably softened. “But that’s another thing I wanted to talk to you about. I don’t think we’re going to be opening tomorrow. It’s still storm-adjacent outside and we don’t want to encourage people to walk in the cold. Besides, Beck has to go make sure the power is working first, so he’s going to have an office day.”
“That’s good to know, I guess,” I say, calculating how much money I’m going to be short this month with one less shift.
“Don’t worry, we’re going to pay you, and Beck says he has a few more bar shifts available to make up your tips.” The tension from the fear of missing out on any kind of income leaks out of me at that. Even though we don’t talk about finances, I know she’s noticed that I always order the cheapest thing on the menu and my closet consists almost entirely of thrifted items. She didnot buy the line that I was being ‘environmentally friendly’ for even a second, but she’s never asked outright. I appreciate that about her. She can sense when to back off.
“Thanks! Guess I get to sleep in tomorrow.”
