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Oh shit. Anything could be possible.
“She won’t answer my texts,” I countered when there was no way I could ask her about it if she didn’t respond.
Bridget threw her hands up in the air, then pointed at the door. “Get out of my classroom. If you can operate on a dying person, you can figure this out on your own from here.”
44
MALLORY
“Thanksagain for letting me stay here. You have an amazing place.” I took in the floor to ceiling window with views of the Vegas mountains, whatever they were called. There was even a flipping cactus in the back lawn by a sparkling, kidney shaped pool.Thiswas impressive. I was all for women-driven businesses and it seemed Annie was quite the entrepreneur. I certainly wouldn’t ding her for her profession. Girl power all the way.
I seemed to have the knack for BJs, based on Theo’s response to my efforts. And he’d kept things completely and totally unattached, important for this line of work. Maybe I should rethink my role of educating the young of tomorrow.
Annie led me into the foyer–yes, it was fancy enough to be more than an entry–and gave me a reassuring smile. “No problem. Trixie said she’s bringing dinner in a little while. In the meantime, I want to hear about the guy and the tips and if you used any of them.”
I’d driven for thirteen hours–and thought way too hard about Theo and my life–and was equally exhausted and hyped up on gas station coffee. I felt as rough as I probably looked, while Annie was, of course, stunning. As if she rolled out of bed like this. Her red hair was styled and she had makeup on and her casual outfit was too perfect to be anything but intentional. I wearily dropped my bag, which only included an outfit and makeup for my court appearance and a nightshirt, wondering if I’d be in an orange jumpsuit by this time tomorrow.
“The guy? I gave him a BJ using all your tips. After, he bought me a house, so I think you could teach a class.”
Then I burst into tears.
45
THEO
I know you’re in Vegas for a court appearance. Call me.
I’d texted Mallory, but she hadn’t responded. Not once.
I paced across the office, which wasn’t far, then turned around. I was between patients, checking messages like a high schooler.
The phone out in the lobby rang and I heard Verna answer.
Mallory wasn’t calling back. Why the fuck wasn’t she calling? Oh yeah, she was mad because I bought her a house. Why wouldn’t she be happy with a fucking house? Herdreamhouse at that. Well, I was mad at her for not telling me she had a court appearance in fucking Las Vegas.
What the fuck?
I turned, stared at my cell sitting on my desk. Still nothing.
Fuck!
Bridget hadn’t been any fucking help earlier, going so far as to kick me out of her classroom. I couldn’t believe it!
Mallory could be on the side of the road in the middle of Utah, car broken down. I’d seen her car. Not the newest model, but it wasn’t on its last legs either. Still. Alone on the side of the highway? All kinds of shit could happen. No. She’d have called Bridget if there was a problem. Right?
Why had she gone alone in Vegas anyway? Bridget was supposed to be her best friend.
WHAT HAD MALLORY DONE?
I ran a hand over my beard.
“What is going on with you?” Verna asked. “Did you drink the killer, death inducing coffee that Steaming Hotties has? That stuff has triple the caffeine. Next, you’re going to be climbing the walls or having a heart attack.”
I spun around and glared at Verna in the doorway.
“Why would someone have a court appearance?” I asked, running my hand through my hair, then setting it on my hips.
Her eyes widened, but she remained as calm as ever. “Okay, so I’ll call Eve at Steaming Hotties and be sure you’re on the Do Not Serve list for that stuff.”
