Seven by Amy Marie Page A

but even just her voice over the phone causes me to smile. “I just got to work for my shift. I won’t be off until tomorrow. You have plans tomorrow night?”
    She clears her throat. “I do. Trinity is coming over for a girl’s night.”
    “Okay. Our crew switched with another crew for Friday, so what does Saturday night look like for you?” I ask, hoping this isn’t a brush off. She seemed very off the other night and I hope I didn’t scare her too much. There is something behind those eyes that she is protecting, and I hope she gives me the chance to break down her walls.
    “Saturday is good.” I hear the smile in her tone. “I have to run to the suburbs in the morning, but I’m available after that.”
    “Is five o’clock okay to pick you up?”
    “Sure. Anything special I should wear?” she inquires almost seductively.
    I swallow hard. Just her tone brings flashes of her coming on my tongue yesterday. “Just something casual.”
    “Alright. I’ll see you Saturday, then.”
    We hang up a few minutes later and I push off the wall, walking past the sleeping quarters. I see Reece as I walk by, and the manila envelope flashes at me like a beacon. I’ve wanted to do this for a long time and I just happened to start pushing it through when I met Embyr. I don’t think it’s a big deal, but part of me is wondering if I should tell her what I am doing. I mean, I would want to know. But, this relationship, or whatever it is, is too new to go messing it up with something that I believe isn’t a big deal.
    So then, why am I hiding it?

 

    “Are you going to get another job?” Trinity asks as I watch her riffle through my closet. Something she has always done ever since we met. I never had a sister, so it was weird to me the first time she barged in my room demanding silk. She thinks my clothes are cuter, but I wear a size smaller than her. She says that’s perfect because she likes things tight. I shake my head when she pulls out a sequin black tank top and steel gray pants, propping them up to her body, eyeing herself in my full-length mirror.
    What was supposed to be our girls night turned into me, sipping wine alone, while she gets ready for her date with Reece? She called earlier today to ask if it was okay. Reece asked her out at the last minute, so she asked to change. I normally wouldn’t care, but I fucking hate Reece Craig. I took a deep breath and told her I was okay with it since she seemed excited and didn’t want to blow it.
    Whatever.
    “I’m not actively looking right now. I just want to enjoy some time off. Patrick rode me pretty hard when I worked there,” I tell her with a straight face, though, on the inside, I’m laughing my ass off.
    He was hard. And rough with me. Much to my dismay, his wife bailed him out of jail and, last I heard, he was looking into taking a plea deal. If that happens, I don’t think I will have to testify. I was almost looking forward to telling everyone what a small dick he has on the stand. I would be under oath and all.
    “I’m just worried. I left you. You aren’t looking? Do you have some trust fund I don’t know about or inheritance?” She laughs, but then deflates. “I’m sorry.”
    She shouldn’t feel bad. She knows what happened with my parents—well, the version I wanted her to know. Every so often, the mention of anything family related brings a sad look to her face. I can’t say I am over their deaths, but there is some sort of strength you gain when you lose two people, who are your absolute world, within months.
    “Don’t apologize,” I brush it off, pulling out a red, off the shoulder, tank top and throw it at her. “Wear this.”
    Her face lights up. She immediately switches out the black for the red.
    “It looks perfect. And no, no inheritance or trust fund. I’ve just been very smart with my money.”
    She strips her clothes down just as a knock comes at my door. “Can you grab that?” she breathlessly asks, pulling the