Free Hot & Nerdy by Shannyn Schroeder Page A

what he said. From the outside, it still looked like he lived the life of a gypsy. What did he want if it wasn’t the gypsy life? Why not choose one town, find a regular job, and stay? Plant roots.
    Her musings had just given her more questions to ask Phin, and she had no idea if he’d answer them, but she had a deep need to know. She wanted to understand him.
    â€œAre you falling for this guy?”
    Falling for him? “I don’t know. I’ve only known him for a couple of days.”
    â€œBut you’re talking like you’re all invested in his life. If it was just sex, then that’s all you’d be rambling on about. Don’t get me wrong, I’m kind of glad you’re off that conversation, since I have none coming my way, but you have to know that this can’t go anywhere.”
    Layla inhaled the scent of her coffee before answering. “I’m not doing anything crazy. I’m enjoying my spring break. Phin is not a long-term anything. He’s moving on himself soon. Heading to Vegas and who knows where after that.” Her mind drifted to another road trip. She’d loved her drive down to Georgia, at least until her car had stopped working. The relaxation of the open road, with the radio up and the windows down, not having to worry about a schedule, had been freeing.
    â€œI really needed a vacation. That’s what I’m doing here,” she told Felicity. “Spring break. Our last one. I only wish we were together. I found my fling. You need to go get yours. Then we’ll talk next week and compare notes.”
    â€œI love how you tell me to just ‘get one,’ as if I’ve ever been able to do that.”
    â€œYou can do it. Channel Charlie. That girl will get you laid faster than anything.”
    â€œThere was a time that was true. Not so since Ethan’s been in her life.”
    They both quieted. They’d spoken before about how they didn’t understand what Charlie saw in the man. He was okay, but not the kind of guy they’d ever pictured Charlie with. Layla could actually see Charlie with a guy like Phin. She shook her head. She did not need her thoughts going there. “Go hit the beach. I’m going to explore Atlanta. Have fun.”
    â€œYou too. I’ll talk to you later. Give me a call if you need anything.”
    â€œYep.” Layla hung up and rummaged through her bag for a new T-shirt. If she was going to spend the rest of her week in Atlanta, she’d have to do laundry. She’d planned on picking up some new clothes in Texas for the week, but now, with no credit card until tomorrow and a repair bill headed her way, the laundromat would be necessary. She piled her dirty clothes up and found a plastic bag to put them in. She’d ask Phin about where to go later. While she polished off her coffee, she scrolled through her e-mails on her phone.
    She sputtered on her coffee as she stared at one. Diane Amato. That was the woman she’d interviewed with on Friday. Coffee burned in Layla’s stomach and she swallowed hard. Maybe Diane was writing to tell Layla they’d made a mistake. She didn’t really have a job offer. Her heart kicked up a notch, and she inhaled slowly before clicking on the message.
    Â 
    Dear Layla, I hope this finds you well. I know when we spoke on Friday you said you wanted a week to think about the job offer. I’m assuming you have other leads that you need to explore. I wanted to get you set up in our system should you decide to accept the job. Follow the link below to fill out a complete application.
    Â 
    Layla stared at the words. Air whooshed from her lungs. An application was simple enough. She just needed a computer and she hadn’t seen one in Phin’s apartment all weekend. Did he really live without a computer? She stood and walked through the place, as if she couldn’t already see everything from her spot on the couch. Nothing inside