Page 9 of Between the Lines

One of the light bulbs above the sink flickers, then goes out with a pop. Blinking twice, I wait for the rest to go out, but they don’t. I sigh and turn the bathtub knob anyway. I’ve been looking forward to me-time all day long.

After stirring a fizzy bath bomb in the hot water, I barely have enough energy left to unclothe myself. My head drops into my hands, my throat tight with the threat of tears.

But then the door creaks open and in comes my cat, rubbing against my legs, purring aggressively. His brown and black striped fur is sticky and pink. Probably something from Daisy’s dinner.

“Buddy, didn’t I already feed you?” I ask, scratching behind his tiny ear. Hamburger jumps onto the toilet seat to get closer to me, nuzzling my open palm. He is strong for a small alley cat who was living on the streets only six months ago.

“What the hell are we going to do?” I sniff. “Maybe we should get a few more quotes? Maybe I can call the bank, see if I can get a loan . . .”

He meows.

“Fine, I’ll bathe, then we can eat cheese puffs in bed together. Just tonight, though. We cannot make a habit of it. Again. Tomorrow I’ll figure things out,” I assure him, and myself.

On autopilot, I strip off my clothes and sink into the clawfoot tub, and then the thunder booms, shaking the old house. Hamburger darts out the bathroom, hitting open the solid wood door. It ricochets off the hallway wall, and I hold my breath, listening for a wail from Daisy’s room, but it doesn’t come.

But then the remaining vanity bulb flickers twice, dying, leaving me in ink-black darkness in the yellow-painted bathroom.

Rain begins hitting the roof seconds later, and shortly after I hear the plinking of water against metal pots.

4

Fia

“Hey, that’s supposed to be decaf,” Halle whispers as espresso fills the glass in front of me.

I bite my tongue as I pour it out and restart, not needing to look up to know the line is out the door.

“I’m sorry,” I apologize, blowing my bangs out of my eyes, “I didn’t sleep much last night.”

For once it wasn’t Daisy keeping me up, but obsessive thoughts about a stupid roof.

Halle lifts her chin towards Caden’s office. “Go take a minute to collect yourself, we can hold it down.”

I hesitate, but this is the third drink I’ve screwed up in fifteen minutes. “I need to order cups anyway,” I mumble and leave my station, crossing the black-and-white tile floor to unlock the office door.

Besides monthly team meetings, Caden rarely comes in, and never on Fridays. He’s probably off doing whatever rich guys do with their free time. Golf? Surf? Look at their stacks of money? I don’t know.

With the door shut behind me—the dim office instantly becomes a respite from the chaos of the cafe. I snatch the tablet from Caden’s desk and drop into the leather wingback chair in the corner of the industrial-style room.

I was supposed to place the order for cups days ago, but it slipped my mind amidst everything else. It’s not like Caden will even notice the purchase order going through late.

When he promoted me, I knew he was going to be a hands-off boss. The minute I was up to speed and running this place, he made himself scarce. Not that we would’ve been best pals—Caden is all business, all the time. I’d be shocked if he even had friends. That would require smiling from time to time—something he doesn’t do.

I open the order forms and yawn as I curl my legs under me, resting my head against the cool smooth leather. The big chair swallows me whole, and my eyes grow heavy. It’s so cozy in here, with the ambient lighting, Turkish rug on the floor, and muffled noise.

Within seconds, the words on the screen begin to blur together, and the tablet slips into my lap. I jolt, looking at the time on my watch.

Maybe I’ll rest my eyes for just ten minutes. A little catnap.

I set an alarm on my phone and tuck my head into the nook of the tall chair, unable to resist closing my heavy eyelids . . .

Where am I?

My cheek is stuck to the back of the leather chair. Either from sweat or drool, or both. I blink rapidly, peeling my head up, and gasp when I realize I’m not alone.

“Fuuu—dge!” I catch myself, hand over my heart.

Caden is standing in front of me. Arms crossed over his chest. Frowning.