Chapter Four
Emily
I snap a photo of his truck as he leaves the lot. Either he really has a baby with him — which seems likely, since it’s hard to fake a baby’s cry — or else he really likes to drink, take cough meds, wear diapers, and talk to a tiny invisible friend that rides beside him. No matter the option, I’m intrigued, and might be obligated to report him to the police. Plus, if there is a baby with him, I want to make sure it’s safe, since Nick — if that is his real name — seems in way over his head.
Even if it isn’t a baby, I wouldn’t mind seeing him again. It seemed like he needed to talk, like there was something serious and wounded hiding just behind his eyes.
I open up a group text with Sophie and Harper, and I send the picture and a message. This man showed up at my work, bought a bunch of weird stuff, may have a baby, and he’s hot. I need to find him and make sure everything’s okay.
Immediately, Sophie writes back. He’s hot? If I find him first, can I have dibs?
Harper doesn’t answer. Which doesn’t surprise me. It’s Friday night, and she’s probably at work, since Friday night is the busiest night of the week for bartenders. I don’t expect an answer from her until mid-morning tomorrow, if that. She might just leave me on read for a while, which is more her style.
I answer Sophie. I just care about seeing that everything is OK. He might be in trouble, and if he has a baby with him…
My phone buzzes with Sophie’s reply. So that means I get dibs, right?
Whatever , I reply.
Which way did he go? She answers.
West on Martinson Ave.
I know where he’s probably going. There’s a sketchy by-the-hour hotel out that way near McKinnon Way. It’s a fun place, and the maintenance guy there knows how to lay pipe.
I pause for a second, looking at her answer. Why wouldn’t a maintenance guy know how to lay a pipe? Isn’t that part of their job?
Let me know if you find him. But don’t do anything without me. He knows me, and I think he’s harmless, but he’s jumpy.
Another ding. Her answer. But he’s hot, right?
Yes . A jealous twinge tweaks the back of my neck. I shake my head. Why would I feel jealous of Sophie? Most of the time, I don’t even want the same things — especially men — that Sophie wants; she’s wild, to put it lightly, and just as likely to disappear for weeks at a time with some random guy who walked into her coffee shop and said the right things, while I haven’t dated anyone since Jay, and likely won’t date anyone until after I finish my pharmacy degree and have the mental energy, plus the distance from Jay, to handle a relationship.
I’m going in. I’ll text you when I find him.
Matter settled, I go back into the store and back to the register. Thankfully, there are no other customers waiting for me. After the whole situation with Nick and the creepy older guy, everyone got focused on browsing as far away as they could, while still being in earshot. It’ll be some time before anyone feels ready to approach the cash register again.
The night drips on. A couple of hours, ten customers, and a lot of time spent wondering just what is Nick story and why he has that baby with him and if that baby is okay, later, the night ends.
Just as I lock the doors, my phone buzzes.
It’s Sophie. Two words.
Found him .