Page 15 of Between the Lines

“Yeah, and?” I cross my arms. Any other employee, sure—I’d be pissed. But Fia’s not replaceable. She’s the only person I trust to run my business.

“You’re not fired,” I finally say. “Unless you want to be.”

Her shoulders drop an inch. “No,” she whispers. “I don’t. But it doesn’t change the fact that I can’t afford a roof right now. So I’d really appreciate it if you just left and didn’t mention this again.” Fia pulls her hair out of the elastic, and waves of copper tumble around her face.

“So you’re simply going to pretend the issue doesn’t exist?” I’m baffled by the logic.

“I didn’t say that. I’m still figuring it out.” She exhales, tapping her nails on the counter. “I might go to the bank tomorrow and apply for a loan—but either way, it’s not your problem to worry about.”

“What about your family, can they lend you the money?”

A bank isn’t going to give her the money, I already know that, and I think she does too with the way her voice cracked.

“This is my mess to take care of, this doesn’t concern them,” she replies with a sting.

We might have nothing in common, but I understand the part about not involving family.

“I’ll loan you the money,” I say, looking at the toddler in the high chair. “You can’t risk your own safety, or hers.”

Fia freezes, lashes blinking rapidly.

“Fia—”

“I’m not taking money from you,” she says, stepping back like I hit a nerve. She circles the island towards me, clearly done with this conversation. “Thanks for checking it out. And for letting me keep the job. I won’t fall asleep again.”

She walks to the front door, opens it, and stares at the wall, waiting for me to exit.

“Right,” I mutter, shaking my head, as if I needed another reminder about how much I suck with people. “See you Monday. You have their number if you change your mind.”

The door thuds behind me, closing inches from my back, and the porch steps creak as I leave.

Maybe I’ve crossed a line. One I shouldn’t have. But then again, if my manager doesn’t even have a safe place to live, then she certainly can’t run the most popular coffee shop in Wilmington.

Boundaries are important to me. They are essential. But this is one I have to cross to ensure everything I’ve worked for doesn’t fail.

I could let this go, let her figure it out herself.

But I know myself better than that.

6

Fia

“Don’t eat the sunscreen, honey!” I wiggle around in the driver’s seat, prying the tube from Daisy’s grip at the red light. Her squishy fist stays tight—she’s freakishly strong for someone who’s just learned to walk.

It’s been twenty-four hours since Caden showed up at my house, unlocked my door like it was the most natural thing in the world, and then offered to loan me a small fortune.

Just add his name to the list of people who think I’m incapable of handling things on my own.

The moment I pull into my sister’s driveway, I hear Penny before I see her. “Where’s my favorite baby!” A messy blonde bun and tanned legs rush to the side of the car, throw open the back door, and attack Daisy with a million and one kisses.

Daisy starts giggling and I can’t help but smile. Hearing her laugh breaks through all bad spells.

I slowly get out of my car as Penny pops Daisy onto her hip and pulls me into a hug. “You look exhausted, let me pour you a cup of coffee,” she says, like she’s been waiting all week to play therapist.

“And you look like you’re almost thirty,” I shoot back, tongue out.

She gasps and slaps my shoulder. “Take that back.” She shifts Daisy to her other side. “I still get hit on by the college lifeguards at the beach, so I’d say I still got it.”