Mr. Big Shot (Mr. Big 1)

"Yes. Do it. I'll call the landlord and get him to come and fix the lock. Then, I'll call Jan and make arrangements to stay there. You stay with Luke."

I hesitated, but then I decided to send him a text.

ALEXA: I know this is completely out of the blue but something happened and I need a place to stay. Can I stay with you tonight until I can get a room at the hostel? I'll explain later.

I sent the text off while Candy called Jan and talked to her about staying at her place for a few days. While she talked, I went to my bedroom and pulled a few things into my backpack – underwear, my nightgown, my makeup and toothbrush, and a few other personal effects. If Luke didn't want me to stay with him, I could stay at the hostel if they had a bed or in a hotel room, at worst.

My cell dinged.

When I saw it was from Luke, my stomach jumped.

LUKE: Of course. Can I come and get you? I'll be right there.

I responded right away.

ALEXA: Thanks. I'm really sorry about this.

LUKE: No problem. We can go out for a drink with John like I planned.

ALEXA: That sounds really good right now. I feel like I need a whole keg myself.

LUKE: That bad? What happened?

ALEXA: I'll tell you when you get here.

LUKE: I'll se

e you in fifteen.

Candy came back into the living room from the kitchen, where she grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator.

"You're looking better,” she said and plopped down on the sofa beside me. “Did you hear from Luke? Tell me everything."

I nodded, wiping away the last of my tears. “Luke's coming to pick me up."

"I knew it," she said and held up her hand. "High five!"

"Candy! How can you be like that at a time like this?"

She grinned. "I love a good love story with a happy ending."

"There's no happy ending."

"Yet," she said and smiled.

Despite everything, despite the hole in the wall and the fact my violent ex ex-con of a boyfriend had found me, I couldn't help but smile back.

* * *

I grabbed my bag when my cell dinged and I saw that Luke was outside the building.

"I don't want to leave you here," I said, standing at the door.

"I'll go as soon as Mr. Johnston comes to fix the door. You go with Luke. I'll get a taxi as soon as the lock's fixed."

"If you're okay about it," I said, feeling bad that I was leaving her.

"You go. Relax. Have fun," she said and walked me down the stairs to the lobby.