“What are you studying?”
“Marketing.”
“If I hear of anything, I’ll let you know,” Slash said.
With dinner ready, they filled their plates, sat at the kitchen table.
After trying the chicken, Jilly said, “Delicious. Love the coating.”
“The magic of the air fryer. Do you have one?”
“No, all my money goes to rent, food, and college. A lot of the girls at the club are always buying new dance outfits, getting mani-pedis, facial fillers, tanning. I’m sure it makes a difference with tips, but I’m all about getting this degree.”
“How many more classes?” Slash asked.
Jilly beamed. “Two. I’m taking them this summer, then I’m throwing the biggest party.”
“And I will be there to cheer you on.” After stabbing a kale leaf, Slash said, “Let me pay for those classes for you.”
Jilly laughed. “I know you’re totally slaying it at the club, but that’s crazy. I can’t?—”
“When we lived together in the foster home, I heard that monster assaulting you,” Slash said. “It was terrifying, but I was too scared to save you from him.”
“We were children.” After a beat, Jilly continued. “Not gonna lie, it messed me up for a while, but I’m strong. I’m a survivor.” Jilly forked the kale. “What happened to you after you left?”
“It was rough. I didn’t want social services to find me, so I moved to Alexandria and slept in my car. I got good with a knife and that saved me a bunch of times. I danced at a seedy club for several months. Then, I met a woman who turned out to be my guardian angel.”
“Wow, that’s intense,” Jilly said. “We’re both survivors and we’re trying to live our best lives.”
“Can I cut you a check or pay your bill when it comes?” Slash asked. “Let me do this for you.”
“Are you serious?”
“Totally, and you can’t talk me out of it.”
“We can go online,” Jilly said. “Classes start next week and I haven’t paid yet.”
Fifteen minutes later, she’d paid Jilly’s last two college courses and bought all her books.
Jilly hugged her. “Thank you so much. This means the world to me.”
“There’s no way I can ever repay you for what you did to protect me, but this is a good start.”
“We’ve come a long way since we first met,” Jilly said while Slash made a pot of decaf.
There were times that Slash wished she could confide the truth about her career. She was so proud of what she’d accomplished, so grateful to be part of ALPHA. But she wasn’t big-mouth Karen Woodside. Instead, she opened the bakery box with chocolate cake and breathed deep.
“So good,” Slash said with a smile.
“Are you seeing anyone?” Jilly asked while they ate the sweet treat.
Carrera’s handsome face and dope body popped into her thoughts. “An old boyfriend came back into my life. Weird how my past has caught up with me.”
“How’s that going?”
“He lost my trust, so I’m taking things slow. Very slow.”
“Did he step out on you?”
