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“Hell no,” he mumbled. “I’m calling Madeline, eating some toast, and then climbing in bed. Thank God I don't work tonight.”
“Bad night?” I asked, placing a bagel in the toaster.
He groaned. “Yeah, car accidents mainly. Almost lost a girl, but we got her to the hospital on time.”
“I remember in college it would take you days to get over a night shift.” The toaster popped, and I turned to grab the bagel, placing the plate in front of him.
He raised his eyebrows, taking a seat on the peninsula. “I just have to disassociate myself sometimes. It hasn’t gotten any easier, but I do love my job.”
I leaned against the stove and brought my coffee to my lips. “You always have.” I grinned, taking a sip.
Milo rubbed his eyes, blinking a few times before reaching for the cream cheese on the counter. “Thanks for the bagel. I like this new Clay.”
“Me too,” I muttered.
He took a bite and closed his eyes. “What are you up to today?” he asked through a full mouth.
“I am going to find a job,” I said with confidence. I pushed myself off the counter and turned to fill my coffee mug again. Once I looked back at Milo, his eyebrows were pinched, and his chewing slowed. “What?”
He swallowed. “A job?”
“Well, yeah. I have to look around online first, but it's about time I get one, don't you think? I can’t keep wearing your clothes or using your credit card.”
He laughed. “Baby steps. Start with a job. I need to call Madeline. See you in a few hours?” He stood, grabbing his bagel from the plate.
I heaved a sigh and nodded. “Sleep well,” I responded, taking another gulp of my coffee.
Milo lifted the bagel in the air as he walked into his bedroom, shutting the door behind him.
I finished my coffee and cleaned up the kitchen, making sure the dishwasher was full and running before I sat at the counter with my laptop.Baby steps.
Baby steps were not as easy as they seemed. I had spent the last three hours in front of my laptop, finding jobs that I could possibly apply for with my record and emailing my lawyers from the Jackson and Rye lawsuit, asking them when I would have this dropped from any background check. I had an email back from him quickly enough but no luck with any jobs.
My lawyer’s response was simple and sweet, but it did nothing to calm my nerves.
We’re working on something with J&R, trying to help you out. Give us time. Be in touch.
I slumped my shoulders and slammed my laptop closed, causing a louder sound than intended. I glanced at Milo’s door. He was still sound asleep, and I had no intention of waking him. It was barely noon. The man needed rest, and my eyes needed something else to look at besides job listing and emails.
I slipped my shoes on, grabbed my phone and wallet, and headed out the door, locking it behind me. Once I got behind the wheel of my Tesla, planning on driving as slow and safe as possible, I started it and listened to the soft purr of the electronics, a sound I had missed. I pulled up my texts and tapped on Ophelia’s name, hoping she was thinking about me too.
Clay: I’m free the rest of the day. Are you at your studio? Would you like a coffee?
Thank goodness for Madeline’s Starbucks app. She loaded it on my phone and told me to treat Ophelia from time to time. She was loving her ever-growing star count.
Those three dots bounced, and my stomach mimicked them.
Ophelia:I just left, actually. Heading back to Maddy’s.
I looked at the words on the screen. I just missed her, yet I still wanted to see her.
Clay: I was going to head to the Piano Bar and ask about renting the upstairs. Care to join?
Ophelia: You won’t give up, will you?
Clay: Not a chance. I’d love to see you today.
Ophelia: Okay, let's go tonight. I still have work to do. Pick me up around 5?
