AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Safely inside my car, I pulled away and didn’t look back. Not that anyone noticed or cared I’d slipped away. I doubted Roman Grier would ever think about me again, even though I’d be playing this memory over and over in my mind, wishing I’d done anything other than tackle him and accuse him of dognapping.
I waited until I went through the security gates at the end of Malibu Colony Road before I pulled over to call my bestie.
“What’s going on, Soph?” Molly’s low gravely alto came from my speaker phone and immediately put me at ease.
I switched my phone to hands free and pulled onto the Pacific Coast Highway. “Oh my god. You would not believe what happened just now.”
“Did you wake me up to tell me another story about the goofball eating another crab?” Molly groaned.
I opened my mouth to answer when I remembered the paperwork I’d signed four weeks ago—all regular new hire stuff, but there had been a non-disclosure agreement. I hadn’t thought about it since, I mean, who cared about the antics of a dog owned by someone I’d never heard of? But suddenly that NDA made so much sense.
“Err, I can’t tell you. Sorry. I forgot.”
“You forgot what happened? The whole reason you called me at eight o’clock in the morning?”
I winced. Molly worked at a bar most nights and probably hadn’t gotten in until two in the morning. “No, sorry. I forgot you worked last night. I’ll let you get back to sleep.”
“Ha. No, you woke me up. Tell me whatever’s got you all worked up. What’s going on?”
“I’m so sorry, Molls. I can’t. I forgot I signed an NDA.”
“You had to sign an NDA to walk a dog?”
“Yes.”
“You never told me that.”
“I forgot. Then I figured it didn’t matter. I mean, it’s a dog. Who cares what he does?”
“Your employer apparently.”
“Right. Only I didn’t meet my employer then. I met him today.”
“I’m too tired to follow this conversation. I need some coffee.”
“No! Go back to sleep, Molly. I can’t tell you anything else. I’m sorry I woke you up. Go back to sleep, please.”
“Fine.” Molly gave a huge yawn followed by a sigh. “But you owe me. There better be a mocha latte in my hand next time I see you.”
“I’ll bring you one home from work. I’m headed there now. Love you.”
“Yeah. Uh huh. See you soon.” There was the distinct sound of snoring before I ended the call.
Ugh. I felt so bad. I’d gotten all caught up in my drama and completely forgot Molly’s schedule.
And now I had this huge secret that I literally couldn’t tell a soul.
Maybe it was for the best. I didn’t exactly come out as an awesome character in the story. What I really needed to do was brainstorm my next screenplay and not obsess over every little thing I’d said or did.
But that was easier said than done. Anxiety brain wouldn’t let it go. I’d literally had my entire body pressed against Roman Grier, and I’d acted like such a fool. It was so embarrassing.
Fortunately, time, distance, and activity helped me get over my angst. The rush at Morning Jolt was always intense, and this morning was no different.
Or at least it wasn’t any different until Molly barged in an hour and a half into my shift.
“Soph! Sophia!” She yelled from the back of the line, waving her arms over her head. “When’s your break?”
I looked at my coworker and tipped my head to Molly. “Do you mind if I take five?”
