Free A Tale of Two Pretties by Dawn Pendleton, Magan Vernon

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    “Hmm. Thanks, I guess,” I said, desperate to change the subject. “Ready to get to work?”
    “After you,” he gestured, an obvious attempt at being gallant.  I walked ahead of him, but I wasn’t biting his line. He was too sure of himself, too cocky for me. Peter had been like that. I didn’t want another guy like Peter.
    I showed him around and then we went to work in the mailroom, right on time. Working a mailroom was one of the lowest jobs on the totem pole, but it paid well, so I never much minded having to work it. The paycheck’s were always full after a week or two of mail-rooming it.
    Hours later, Liam offered to take me to lunch, but I declined, choosing to have lunch in the cafeteria instead. Not all companies provided a full café, but this one was superb, the food amazing, and best of all, everything was free. Finding a company like this was like stumbling across a gold mine. I always took advantage of a free meal.
    With a full hour for lunch, I went next door to the mall to get myself a new contract for a cell. I was able to keep the phone I already owned, so at least I didn’t have to drop cash on a new phone. Thank God for the little things.
    After work, Liam asked me to have a drink with him somewhere.
    “I’m not really into you, Liam,” I confessed.
    His laughter was real, heartfelt. “I’m not all that into you either, although I do think you’re hot. I’m new to the city, Mac. I’d just like to make some friends,” he explained.
    Not thoroughly convinced he wasn’t some stalker or crazy person, I decided to let him buy me a drink, but only in an environment I felt safe in.
    “There’s a little pizzeria and pub you can take me to,” I relented, praying Darcy or B-Rad was working tonight to keep an eye on us.
    He hailed us a cab outside the building and then we were on our way. I pulled out my phone to text Darcy. I sent her a message asking whether or not she was working. I didn’t pray much anymore, but I hoped, at least, that either her or her boy toy was working. It was shitty to think that neither of them were there, so I just kept a positive attitude.
    ***

 
     
    Ten
     
    Uncle Tony’s Pizzeria
    Friday
    6:40 PM
     
    Darcy
     
     
    Another night at the pizzeria and another night I sucked hardcore at my job. It didn’t help that I think Kellie purposefully made it so I’d screw up. She would always “accidently” bump into me when I was cleaning a table or something to throw me off. It also didn’t help that we were extremely busy. I was expecting some dead time but just about every table was full and people kept coming in for the pizza and beer special.
    There were enough faceless college guys that all looked the same, but then Mac walked in with a guy I’d never seen before. He was light-haired, lean, and if I could ignore his face he might have been attractive. I didn’t remember her ever mentioning a new boyfriend, so I raised an eyebrow and locked eyes with her across the room.
    The bitch just turned away and found a corner booth with the Derp-faced guy.
    Fucker .
    I wasn’t allowed to have my phone out in the dining area, so I went past the kitchen to the area near Uncle Tony’s office where all the wait staff had their lockers. It was just a tiny hallway, but enough room that I could be tucked away from the public. I sent Mac a quick text and asked: who’s the dude?
    She didn’t respond right away so I put my phone in my apron and headed back toward the dining room. Before I could exit the little hallway, Brad was right in front of me. “Hey, Peach, you okay?”
    I swatted his arm. “Stop calling me that!”
    “Then stop being so damn sweet.” He nuzzled my cheek, the stubble on his jaw brushing against me.
    “Not now, Brad. Save it for when we’re alone.” I gently shoved him back even though I would have rather pulled him closer and felt more of his stubble on every part of my skin.
    “Okay, are you going to tell me what’s wrong?”
    I shook