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“That’s cool. So that’s something you’re into?”
“I like it.” She looks over at me.
“I have a friend who works at one of the local colleges. I could see if she’d be willing to talk to you about enrollment and point you in the direction of scholarships or financial aid.” I mean, Nikki does owe me. Plus, she’d do it just because it’s something she loves.
“Why would you do that?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“Because you don’t know me.”
“You’re right.” I drop my eyes from hers, then say quietly, “When I was in high school, my grades were horrible. Not just a little bad, I mean I barely passed my classes. Especially math. I sucked at math, and because of my grades, college wasn’t even an option for me.”
I smile sadly, remembering that time like it was yesterday. It’s not that I was dumb, but with things going on at home and my parents caught up in their own drama, I didn’t get the support I needed. Even with the two of them working in the school system.
“While everyone else had all these grand plans for after high school, I was wondering what I would do with myself. I thought about going into the military, but you have to pass a test for that, so I knew even that wouldn’t be a possibility, so my best bet was just getting a job.” I look over at her and find her eyes on me. “I started working at a hair salon after school, sweeping the floors and answering the phone. When the owner saw I had an interest and a talent for helping clients choose colors and cuts, she told me about a cosmetology school I could go to, and she helped me get enrolled.” I meet her gaze. “She didn’t really know me, but she saw something in me, and I guess I see that same thing in you.” I nudge my shoulder into hers. “So, if you want to talk to my friend, you just let me know, and I’ll make it happen.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, and if you ever want me to do your hair or anything, I’m right next door. All you have to do is knock.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely.” I take her in. She really is a very pretty girl, but her dark hair and makeup hide that from the world. I’m sure it’s a defense mechanism she uses so people avoid her. I’m also sure it works, which sucks, especially right now, when she needs all the support she can get.
“Okay.” She eyes me for a moment, then stands. “I should go in. Dad is going to be up soon for work, and I need to make dinner.”
“All right. It was nice talking to you, Carrie.”
“You too.” She disappears around the corner, and I hear the door to her apartment open and shut. With a deep breath, I push up off the stairs and head into my place, hoping she takes me up on my offer.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
miranda
With a mass of tangled-up butterflies in the pit of my stomach, I drive down a dimly lit street with train tracks that are blocked off by a tall metal fence on one side, and on the other is a somewhat sketchy-looking industrial building that seems to be under construction.
Pulling over to the curb between cars, I click on the text that Tucker sent me to make sure I didn’t mess it up when I was putting his address into my GPS app. I didn’t. I bite my lip and glance around, wondering if Tucker isn’t who I thought he was. Or if maybe he’s a detective by day and a serial killer by night, who lures the unsuspecting women he’s charmed to abandoned buildings, where he kills them.
I start to put the engine in drive so I can pull away from the curb with a plan to call Tucker, but I end up screaming at the top of my lungs like I’m being murdered when suddenly there is a knock on my window.
“It’s just me,” Tucker says through the glass, and with my heart pounding, I focus on his face. “I didn’t mean to scare you.” He opens my door, and I look at the building, then back at him.
“This is where you live?”
“Mostly.”
“Are you homeless?” I frown at him, and his lips curve up into a smile.
“No.”
“So you live in an abandoned building, and you’re not homeless?”
“It’s not abandoned. The outside electric work is being done while Clay and Willow are out of town. That’s why it’s dark out here.” He reaches across me and unhooks my belt. “I have dinner on the stove.”
“I…” I start to say I’m getting serious serial-killer vibes from this situation, but instead, I gasp when he drags me out of the car by my hand, then reaches in for my bag and to shut off the engine.
