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“Oh, dear lord.” She puts her hand on her cheeks. “Sounds like a trip to the emergency room is in your future. How about I lend you the money to hire a professional carpenter?”
“Rachel, I can’t take your money. I don’t have the money for that, I don’t know when I’ll be able to pay you back.”
“But—“
“No.” I shake my head at even the idea of taking money from my boss and not being able to pay her back. She’s been too understanding already. Giving me days off when I’m supposed to be working, trading shifts to leave early on days I need to pick up Axel from school, or pretending she doesn’t notice all the times I’ve been late. I would be taking advantage of her kindness more than I already have. “No, but thank you. You’re the best.”
“I am the best. I’m glad we both agree on that.” She smiles, reminding me of Holden with her red hair and teasing playfulness. “So I have to keep up to that. When were you planning on fixing your porch?”
“On my day off.”
“Okay then, I’ll have someone over at your place to help you.”
“Rachel, I can’t afford it.” I groan.
“You already said that. This person won’t charge cash. All you have to do is pay them in food. Lunch, and they’ll supervise your work.”
“Who would do that? People don’t do things like that. They’d basically be working for free.”
“You will be paying them with a hot meal or two, depending on how long they stay to help. This person owes me big time.” She emphasizes, holding her hands up. “I’m cashing in my favor from them.”
“Rachel—“
“Don’t argue with your boss. I’ll have to write you up for being insubordinate. Now, the only thing I want to hear out of your mouth is thank you. Get yourself over there and pay for that lock so you can get home to those brothers you’re helping to raise.”
“I don’t know what to say. I’m going to pay you back some way.”
“I already told you what the payment is. So you make sure you invest some time in a finger-licking good YouTube cooking video.” She smiles.
Lost for words at her kindness I just say, “Thank you,” in the most sincere way I can and squeeze her hand in gratitude. God knows what kind of disaster we were going to make without some help. A YouTube video can only take you so far, and there was a high chance of someone being rushed to the emergency room. I’m damn lucky she’s my boss for sure.
Eight
NOAH
“Who’s your favorite aunt?”
“The only one I have on my mother's side?” I say to her question instead of saying hello when I answer my phone.
“Of course I am.”
“Is that an answer to the only aunt on my mother's side or my favorite?”
“Both. I know you’re getting ready to go on duty so I won’t keep you.”
“Okay.”
“Remember when you came by the store, tripping all over yourself trying to get a date with Lexi?”
“I wasn’t tripping on anything, but go on.”
“Sure you weren’t,” she unconvincingly agrees. “You were just very interested in her. So I guessed you would also be very interested in helping her, right?”
“Sure. What does she need help with?”
“I’m happy to hear you say that. I was counting on it. I secured you a lunch date and possibly a dinner date.”
“How did you do that? I offered to help her the other day and she wasn’t even trying to hear it.” I smile, remembering our last interaction.
