The Whole Package

“I should be fine. Annie doesn’t leave until six thirty. I think I should be back home by then. The meeting is at three. How long could it last?”

“No clue. Sounds boring as shit to me. I’d fall asleep.” This I believe. Kyle can power nap anywhere. I’ve had to nudge him awake a few times at work. I once found him asleep on his lunch break in the back room on a pile of paper towels. It actually looked more comfortable than my bed. But in all fairness, my bed is a sofa pullout. “Let me know if you get held up. You know I love me some Hazel Basil time.”

“You can come by for dinner if you want. I promised Hazel we’d have pizza tonight.”

“Sounds like a plan. I’ll grab the pizza though. One less thing you need to worry about.” I reach for my purse to fish out some money. Pizza is the one thing I let us splurge on each week. It’s Hazel’s favorite. “Don’t even think about it.” Kyle stands and grabs his lunch. “I’ll get the pizza. You get it next time.”

“Thanks.” I know he’s offering to pick it up because he knows how tight money is for Hazel and me. I also know there’s no fighting with Kyle when he gets his mind set on something. I learned that within the first week we worked together.

I’m more of an introvert who wants to work and keep my head down. I have too many other things to focus and worry about and don’t have time for friends. Hazel owns all my time and I’m good with that. I love my sister and we are a team.

When I met Kyle he informed me we were going to be best friends. I brushed off his comment at first, but within a week he was right. The man is relentless in the sweetest way. I don’t know what I would have done without him over the last few months.

“See you tonight,” he tells me as he starts to push out of the break room. “Oh, and I hear Mr. CEO is a hottie!” he yells as he departs.

Of course he heard that. When I think of the CEO of Community Mart I think of a graying older man in his sixties with a big belly. I do think he’s probably really kind if you go by how he runs the company. The stores are always putting on food drives and offering different things for employees. Like the program they offer so that Hazel can work here even with her special needs. It’s why I had a spark of hope that Mr. Reed would be able to help me. He seems like he cares, and I’m banking on that today.

Picking my purse up from off the bench, I head for Mason’s office. The door is open, so I knock on the frame. He looks up at me from over his computer and smiles.

“Come on in, Bailey.”

“Oh, I was just letting you know I’m heading out.” On Thursday I normally work until six, but I requested off early for the meeting.

“You’re really going to that?” Mason asks, and I nod. I’m not going because I care about the shares meeting. I’m going so I can get a minute of Mr. Reed’s time. I’m told he’s always at the meetings. Though with my luck lately he won’t be this time. But I still have to try. I really don’t want to go the route of showing up at his office. That seems creepy, and I really want to make a good impression.

He lets out a long sigh. “Fine.” He shakes his head as if he’s disappointed in me for taking the time off. Which I’ve never done before. In fact, I pick up every shift that I can and come in when they need me if called. Asking to leave a few hours early should not be a problem. “But we need to talk when you get back,” he adds, making my stomach clench with panic.

“Is something wrong?” I take a step into his office, wringing my hands together. I cannot lose this job. Not only do I need the money, but the insurance is about to be everything for Hazel and me. I need that more than anything.

“I think maybe your role around here should change. Maybe a promotion.” He stands up from his desk and walks towards me. I have to fight myself from taking a step back. He reaches out, tucking a piece of my blonde hair behind my ear. “I do need an assistant manager now that Kim is leaving to go work at the corporate office.” His finger trails down my neck and it sends uncomfortable chills down my spine.

Here I thought Kim leaving was going to be a good thing. She was mean and I’m happy she’s gone. Kyle, Hazel and I might have all done a happy dance when we heard the good news. Kim didn’t like us, and it didn’t help that Hazel is not one to hold her tongue. She made a few comments about Kim right to her face, and it took everything in me not to burst into laughter. Though it was clear to Kim at the time I was dying to. That really didn’t help her from disliking our little group.