Chapter 7
“Fine,” you tell Avery, “I’ll take the job.”
“That’s wonderful!” She sounds happier than anyone rightfully should after convincing a friend to take a waitressing job. “You won’t regret this, Sloan.”
That remains to be seen.
First, you have to convince Blair to lend you her car. That will be no easy task, but it’s the only way you’re going to be able to drive out to Peyton’s Peak. Even if you could afford it, no Uber will go out that far.
You knock on the door to Blair’s bedroom.
Based on the sounds coming from inside, you’re definitely interrupting them in the middle of something, but given that those sounds are always going on, you don’t have much of a choice.
You hear swearing behind the door, then Blair yanks it open, looking annoyed.
“What is it, Sloan?”
“Um.” You wring your hands together. “I was wondering if I could borrow your car tonight?”
Blair looks at you like you just asked her to promise you her firstborn. She folds her arms across her chest. “Why?”
“I got a waitressing job,” you explain. “But it’s out at Peyton’s Peak. It’s a hike, but it’ll pay enough that I can give you the rent tomorrow.”
Blair considers this. She doesn’t like to lend you her car, but she wants that rent money.
“Fine,” she finally says, “but if there’s so much as a scratch on my car at the end of the night, you’re going to be very sorry.”
You do not doubt that. But you’re an excellent driver, so you’re not too worried. “Thank you! I promise I’ll be very careful.”
Avery didn’t mention if you’ll be expected to change into a uniform, so you dress in a pair of black slacks and a white dress shirt that will hopefully be appropriate for serving an upscale dinner party.
You tug on a coat because the weather is still chilly, and it’s only going to get colder as the night goes on.
You pull your black hair back into a simple ponytail.
You feel strangely nervous about this job, which is odd, because you have waitressed thousands of times before. But you can’t seem to shake the uneasy feeling in the pit of your stomach. Still, you had a chance to say no, and you didn’t take it. It’s time to get going.
It’s colder outside than you thought. You zip up your coat to your throat as you walk down the steps of your building.
As soon as you reach the bottom step, a cat materializes from the alley by your building.
She nuzzles her head against your leg and looks up at you hopefully.
She’s clearly looking for food, and based on how scrawny she is, it’s slim pickings around here.
You love animals. Sometimes you think you prefer them to people.
On any other night, you’d scrounge up some food for this hungry cat, but you shouldn’t be dawdling.
You told Avery you were going to head over right away, and it’s a long drive to Peyton’s Peak.
There’s no time to worry about a stray cat.
But the cat looks so hungry. How could you leave her without at least giving her a nibble of something to eat?
To go upstairs and get food for the cat, turn to Chapter 8 (page 19)
To head straight to your car, turn to Chapter 9 (page 21)