Page 117 of Worth the Trip

“And if I need time?”

“Take it.”

I squeezed her hand.

“I’m still gon’ be clear while you do.”

She looked at me for another second.

“I like clear.”

“I noticed.”

“Don’t ruin it.”

“Wasn’t planning to.”

She stepped closer and kissed my cheek.

I smiled.

Hershey was getting bold.

I approved.

Her office was smaller than I expected and considerably more disrespectful to filing systems than Nyla had advertised. Folders occupied the desk, calendars covered one wall, invoices sat in stacks, and a wrapped sandwich beside the computer looked like it had given up on becoming lunch.

I pointed toward it.

“What time?”

Nolani immediately knew what I meant. “Don’t.”

“What time?”

“Eleven.”

I checked my watch.

Almost four.

“Hershey.”

“I was busy.”

“I can see that. Come eat with me for ten minutes.”

“Are you hungry?”

“I can participate.”

“That means no.”

“It means I support carbohydrates.”

She laughed but sat.

I pulled the other chair beside hers instead of across the desk. Nolani unwrapped the sandwich, took a bite, and looked at me like I’d personally inconvenienced her.