Taking Tiffany by MK Harkins Page B

protective.”
    Looking at me closer with those piercing eyes of his, he asked, “Would you like to be scared about a relationship?” He smiled and added, “Right along with me?”
    I returned his smile and leaned closer.
    “I have something else I should tell you,” he said.
    “Sir. Miss. You can go back in now. It was a false alarm.”
    I was so involved with Todd, I hadn’t noticed everyone had started back in.
    “Thank you…” I stopped midsentence. It was the same sergeant from the Habitat House.
    “Oh, it’s you. Thank you, Sergeant Campbell.”
    He stared at us for a moment. “First a bomb scare, now a fire alarm? You two sure have had an eventful week.”
    “Yeah. I guess we have.” I laughed.
    Todd took my hand and we headed back toward the building.
    “It is kind of weird how both these things happened in the same week. Do you think they’re connected?” he asked.
    “How could they be?”
    “Yeah. You’re right. Are you ready for my world famous eggplant parmesan?”
    “Yes, but wasn’t there something else you wanted to talk to me about?”
    A shadow crossed his face. “No, not right now. Let’s just enjoy the rest of the evening.”

Chapter Eighteen
    Angela
     
    Six months earlier
     
    MORNING ARRIVED. I’D survived my first night. Only three hundred and sixty-four more to go. That’s a laugh. I knew with certainty I wasn’t going to make it. Formulating an escape plan was essential. First, I needed to sneak into Dottie’s office to get my phone charged. My parents made sure to confiscate my old phone and cancel my plan. They thought I’d use it to get myself out of this hellhole. It was the first smart thing they’d done. But I was smarter. Buying a satellite phone in London was easy. Using a fake name, I paid cash for a year of service. All I needed now was a way to get out of here and disappear. I had enough money saved to live for a long time. But I wanted more. I’d have to think on that.
    After I heard Ivy tearing into the third bag of Cheetos, I knew I needed to intervene. I didn’t care if she polished off my stash, but, the fake orange goodness would be coming up in the form of vomit if she didn’t slow down. Her stomach wouldn’t be able to process all that food at once.
    Exaggerating a stretch and groan, I let Ivy know I was awake. The chomping and crunching came to a sudden halt. The covers rose and the suspicious sound of plastic went under the sheets.
    “Knock, knock! Are you decent?” Dottie’s voice came through the flimsy door. No. “Yes.”
    She poked her head in. “Can I get you anything?” Her eyes switched to Ivy. “Hi, honey. How are you— Oh, my God! Something’s wrong with Mirela!” She swung her petite frame out the door and shouted, “Dr. Stefan! Come quickly. Mirela is sick!”
    “No, no. Ivy’s fine. She had a little sna—” I didn’t get the chance to explain before Dr. Snooty came barging in.
    He approached the bed and squatted next to Ivy. I pulled up the sheets to cover my nightie. Couldn’t a girl get any privacy in this place? With his thumb, he swiped over the Cheetos dust, looked at it and smiled.
    “Dottie, I think Mirela will recover. However, she might have a stomachache later.” He stopped to study me. “But she should be fine. Well, maybe better than fine,” he added and gave me the slightest smile. What?
    He mouthed ‘Thanks’ which made me feel all sorts of uncomfortable. Why was he thanking me? I didn’t do anything. I usually paid people to acknowledge me. I bought appreciation. You don’t deserve it, that’s why. The room was hot, and my skin became clammy.
    Dottie walked farther into the hut and stopped when she noticed the bright orange bag half concealed by the sheets. Her eyes shifted to Dr. Stefan and she laughed. “Contraband.”
    He nodded once. “Yes. It looks like everything’s under control here. I have some patients to tend to, so I’ll be going.”
    “Wait!” I shouted. “Can you take Ivy