Don't Kiss the Bride

A new phone, new responsibilities, and a raise? I feel like I just scratched off a million-dollar lottery ticket.

The urge to hug her is huge, but that’d probably be unprofessional and awkward since she’s my boss, so I resist. “Oh,” I say, fighting back happy tears. “Thank you. Of course I’m interested. I’ll do a great job, I promise. I’ll research hashtags. I’ll do that cool color-coordinating thing that all the popular accounts do. Maybe we can do a giveaway with a box of your famous cookies.” My brain is already spinning like a top with ideas.

“See? You’re already way ahead of me. You can come in this weekend and start taking photos. Just keep track of your time for me.”

Things finally seem to be looking up.

Chapter 4

Jude

This past week felt like the never-ending week from hell. My plan was to cut out of work early today since it’s Friday, but nope. Didn’t happen. The homeowners caught me as I was leaving three hours ago and wanted to go over more details and minor add-ons. At least they’re happy with the job so far. I think I would’ve jumped off the roof if they weren’t.

As soon as I get in my truck, I pour some of my water onto a paper towel and wipe my face, neck, arms, and hands. The heat and humidity lately have been brutal, the dust sticking to me like a gritty second skin. All I want to do is get home, take a shower, and relax on the couch with Cassie and a good movie.

About three miles into town, I see a girl walking on the sidewalk, a backpack with a glittery skull printed on it dangling from her thin shoulders. Realizing its Skylar, I hesitate, debating if I should offer her a ride again. It’s hot as balls out, but it’s not raining, and it’s not dark out yet.

A gnawing deep in my gut reminds me it wasn’t dark or raining when my little sister disappeared.

Sighing, I pull my truck over a few feet ahead of her and open the passenger side window.

She approaches the window with a grin on her face. “You stalking me, Lucky?” she teases.

“You still don’t have your wheels back?”

“Do you think I’d be walking in this hellish heat if I did?”

I reach across the car and open the door for her. “Hop in, Sparkles. I’ll give ya a ride.”

“Maybe you should work for Uber,” she says after she climbs in. This time she puts her stuff on the floor between her feet, not between us.

Glancing in my mirror, I pull back out into traffic. “You’re the only one I’ve been giving rides to. I might just end up being your personal chauffeur.”

Laughing, she says, “I see no problem with that.”

“Any word on the car?”

“You were right. It was the fuel pump. He’s giving it a tune up, too, since it’s there. I’m picking it up Monday when my friend can drive me over.”

I nod. “Good deal. You going home now or someplace else?”

“Home, please.”

“Mind if I go through the drive-through on the way? I’m starving.”

“Not at all.”

“It’s almost seven. Where are you coming from?”

“I work part time at Belongings Boutique.”

“Rebecca’s store?”

She turns in her seat to face me. “You know her?”

“Sorta. We went to school together.” We knew each other, but we weren’t friends. She was part of the cool crowd, and I was part of the cooler crowd.

“I didn’t know you went to my school back when you were young.”

The way she says when you were young makes me feel old. I’m thirty-four, not seventy.

I nod. “It’s a small town. I’ve lived here my entire life.”

“Me too.”

I pull into the lot of the burger place and merge into the drive-through line. “Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

She shakes her head. “No, just me. I have a cat, though. How ’bout you?”

“A sister.” I can’t bring myself to say have a sister or had a sister. “And a dog.”

“What kind of dog?”

“A little brown-and-white fuzzy thing. A shit zoo, I think.”

She laughs. “It’s Shih tzu.”

“Guzunheidt.”

She smiles.

I pull up to the glowing menu and recite my usual into the speaker before turning to Skylar. “Do you want something? My treat.”

Blinking, she stares past me at the menu. “Um. Just a bottle of water. And a hamburger with no hamburger or stuff on it.”

“Very funny,” I say, shaking my head. I order her water, then move up to the next window to pay before pulling into a parking spot.

“I don’t like to eat while I’m driving,” I explain as I take my food out and hand her water to her.

“Thanks,” she says quietly, looking down at the bottle in her lap.

Taking a bite of my burger, I hold my cup of seasoned waffle fries out to her. “Want some?”

She shakes her head, still not looking up.