19. Nineteen #2
“That was my argument. You’ll have to ask her.”
Olivia was no longer bubbling about her outfit. “She should learn to mind her own business. You have a reason to hate your mother.”
“She says I need closure.”
Olivia’s eyes snapped to me. “Do you think you need closure?” She was careful not to agree with Candy, even though she obviously did. We’d talked about it on more than one occasion. She knew me well enough to recognize that I was never going to agree to something that wasn’t my idea.
“No, I do not.”
“Fair enough. How is the cooking class going?”
“Good,” I replied. “We’re learning how to make étouffée this week. I’m looking forward to it.”
“What is étouffée?”
“I have no idea. I’m sure it’s good, though.”
“You’ll have to save some for me.”
“I think there’s seafood in it. You can’t have seafood until after you pop out the kid, right?”
“Yeah, and I really miss it.” Her lower lip came out to play. “Well, you can surprise me with something good right after I have the baby.”
“That sounds like a plan to me.”
IT WAS LATE WHEN I FINALLY FINISHED my shift. I was exhausted, to the point where I was considering calling an Uber to take me home. I headed to the parking garage—I always left through the ground floor exit there—and had my phone out as I debated if I wanted to waste my money.
That was when I heard it. The worst sound in the world.
“There she is!” The words were followed by a very familiar squeal.
I went ramrod straight. I would know that voice anywhere. “Sharon.” Her name escaped in the same tone I used to drop my most fervent curses, and then she was on me.
Sharon was dressed in sparkly hot pants and a low-cut top. Her bleach blonde hair was pulled back in an ornate bun, and she wore her normal ice pick heels. She always told me that heels were the key to snagging the right man because of the way they made legs and butts look.
“It’s my favorite girl!” She hugged me so tightly, I thought I might pass out, especially because she’d pulled my face down to her cleavage.
I’d never been her favorite girl. She’d always been her own favorite girl. That was neither here nor there, though. She shouldn’t be here. How did she even know I was working here?
Slowly, deliberately, I extricated myself from her overenthusiastic embrace. “What are you doing here?” I demanded.
Her expression didn’t change. If she was disappointed in my reaction, she didn’t show it. “Give your mama some sugar.” She went in for another hug, but I neatly sidestepped her.
“You shouldn’t be here,” I barked a little more harshly than was necessary. “This is the employee level.”
Her eyes went big and wide. “I’m here to see you. I was told you use this exit.”
“Who told you that?”
“Does it matter?” Sharon waved off the question. “I had no idea you’d gotten a job here.” Her eyes sparkled. “You’re shooting to the top, huh? This is a great casino to work at.”
She could never hide her true motivations. It didn’t take an expert to read between the lines. “I can’t get you a job here,” I said automatically.
“Pishposh.” She lightly slapped my arm. “Who said I’m looking for a job?”
She was always looking for a job. “I only got my job because of Olivia.” I shouldn’t have told her that. She would glom on to that information and run with it.
“I figured.” Her smile was so wide it threatened to swallow her entire face.
“And I can’t get you a job,” I reiterated.
“You can at least put in a good word for me.”
“But you’re not looking for a job.” I’d been in her presence for less than five minutes, and I was already at the end of my rope. “I need to get going.” All I could think of was escape.
“Where are you going?” Sharon’s eyes flitted toward the door that led to the casino. “Do you want to get a drink?”
I was desperate to get away from her, so I did something stupid. “I already have a drink lined up with somebody else.” I didn’t feel guilt when uttering the lie.
“Oh, really?” Her voice was a low purr. “Is it a man?” It was always a man in her world, so she assumed it was the same in mine.
“Yup, it’s a man.” I looked around, desperate for somebody to use for my escape, and spotted Ronan walking out of the employee exit. “And there he is.”
I started toward him, desperation oozing out of me. “Hey, honey bear.” I sounded like an idiot, but I didn’t care. “Are you ready for that drink?”
Ronan had changed into jeans and a button-down shirt. The surprise in his eyes was evident.
Please don’t make me explain in front of Sharon. Please don’t make me explain.
His gaze moved to my mother, and his recognition sparked. He didn’t hesitate when he took my hand. He was saving me.
“I’m ready.” He gripped me tightly as he took in Sharon’s disapproving stare. Ronan, in his jeans, wouldn’t look like a big enough fish for her. If she knew who his father was, she would be all for it. There was no way I was sharing that information with her, though.
“Great.” I gave his arm a tug. “It was nice to see you again, Sharon.” That was a bald-faced lie. “Maybe we can do it in another year.”
“Oh, don’t worry about me.” She was already heading toward the casino door. “Now that I know you work here, I plan on being a frequent visitor.”
That was the last thing I wanted to hear. “Sharon?—”
The heavy door falling shut cut me off.
“Crap,” I muttered.
Ronan shot me a sympathetic look. “So … a drink?”
I was resigned to my fate. “Yup, and keep them coming.”