Free The Wrong Side of Midnight by Terri Marie Page A

she was vacuuming the long hall, she felt her phone vibrate on her hip. It was Bob, letting her know the truck was in. She opened the door to the supply closet so her call wouldn't be overheard, and so no one could see her jumping up and down with excitement.
    "Mail the congratulations letter to Matthew. Get it here through same day mail. The thousand bucks will help cover the postage. Make sure you have his address correct because I want the truck over here tonight around eight."
    "Am I still delivering it? If I do, who'll drive me back to work?"
    "That's your problem. Make the whole thing look official." Chloe wouldn't have been so mean if Bob wouldn't have wanted extra favors for helping her.
    "My brother can follow me. He's not going to be too happy about going to that neighborhood."
    "Bob! Figure it out, but first, get to the post office!" Chloe hung up the phone, hoping the creep wouldn't mess this up.
    She stepped out of the supply closet trying to look normal. The huge grin on her face wasn't easy to cover up. Matthew was going to blow up once he found out she was behind all the help, but that was okay. Her main concern was to make life easier for two people who deserved it.
     
    ∞  ∞  ∞  ∞
     
     
    At six-thirty that evening, Chloe heard the heavy footsteps of someone running down the hall. Before she could go out to investigate, Matthew slung her door open with a letter in his hand.
    "I won!! I won, I won, I won!!!" His eyes were water-filled.
    "You won the contest for that truck?"
    "Yes!" Matthew picked her up and swung her around. "I can't thank you enough, Chloe. If it wasn't for you bringing me the entry and talking me into filling it out, this wouldn't have happened. My dad is happier than I am if that's even possible. They're delivering it this evening!" He kissed her deeply.
    Chloe was so relieved her plan worked and that he was getting a new, safe vehicle. But when Matthew kissed her, she couldn't help but feel like he was kissing her goodbye.
     
     
    At eight o'clock, Matthew's phone rang. Chloe was trying to act as nonchalant as she could.
    "I'll come down. Thanks, Sherry."
    "Is everything okay?" Chloe hoped it was Bob.
    "Maybe it's about my new truck. Sherry called to tell me a man is downstairs requesting to see me."
    "I'll come with you."
    Matthew held her hand down to the lobby. There stood Bob in a brown suit, and he even combed his hair.
    "Are you Matthew Sharp?"
    "Yes, I am. Can I help you?"
    "Come with me, please." Bob walked outside and smiled as he held the truck key out to Matthew.
    "Oh my God!"
    "Congratulations, sir. Enjoy be the winner, and thanks for entering."
    Matthew ran to the new pickup, and while he was climbing up behind the wheel, Chloe handed Bob the thousand dollars she had stuffed in her jeans.
    "I have to get back to the office. Best of luck, Mr. Sharp."
    As Bob drove off with another man, Matthew ran around to the other side of the truck and held the door open for Chloe.
    "Climb in, babe! We're going for a drive!"
    They drove around for a good hour, testing it on the highway and cruising slowly down the streets. Matthew looked so happy and proud.
    "You have no idea how close my old truck is to dying. I can't believe this!"
    They stopped by John's apartment to show him the truck, and the next day, Matthew was beyond happy driving it to work. The crew congratulated him over and over, knowing no one deserved this more. They knew that Matthew paid himself last to make sure everyone had money to put food on their tables, gave them time off when situations arose, and thanked them every day for their hard work. The men who worked for him were like family, and they knew of his struggles and were careful not to complain about raises and health insurance. Even though Matthew did everything he could for his crew, he wouldn't blame them if they quit for a better paying job with benefits.
    Because the new truck got better gas mileage, Matthew wouldn't be sinking so much money into