Chapter 4 #2
“Right.” My voice is soft. I’m more than a little shocked she knows about my stupid fire.
Makes me wonder how many people have already heard about it.
Was our name mentioned? Will people recognize it and look at me like I’m a complete idiot?
I suppose I’d deserve that sort of treatment for setting the house on fire.
How did she find this out? “But the fire happened only a few hours ago . . .”
“Like I said, word travels fast. Plus, a lot of us around here have scanners. Or scanner apps. They keep us updated.”
I’m frowning so hard it hurts. I have no idea what she’s talking about. “Scanners?”
“Police and fire scanners. Where you can hear all the calls that are coming in. Living in this area like we do, where it’s prone to quick-moving fires?
I like to keep up on the activity around here.
Even the police activity. Lately we’ve had a lot of break-ins nearby, and it’s freaky because sometimes I work late nights here.
” She waves a hand at a clunky-looking radio sitting on the desk just behind her. “It’s helpful to have.”
“I’m sure,” I murmur, unable to relate whatsoever because I’ve never worked a real job in my life. Not even a summer job. If Paige knew this, I’m sure she’d think I’m pitiful. Or worse—pathetic.
“I’m sorry to hear about your fire.” Sympathy is written all over her face, and I’ve reached a new low. “Did it do a lot of damage?”
“The second story is pretty much done for. By the smoke and soot more than anything else,” I tell her.
“Oh, that sucks.” Her shoulders slump, and she slowly shakes her head, her focus still on the computer screen as she taps away at her keyboard.
“I’m trying one more time, but it looks like there are absolutely no rooms or cabins available, even for a night.
We are booked solid from now until the end of time. ”
Her laughter is faint, and I join in because if I don’t laugh, I might cry, and I don’t need to humiliate myself further in front of this woman who could’ve been my friend in another life.
“Well, I guess that’s great for business!” My laughter dies, and I put on a bright face, pretending that everything is going to be just fine. “I appreciate your help. Thank you.”
Clutching my Birkin close to my body, I turn away from her and head toward the door when she calls out, “Hey, Rachel!”
Slowing my steps, I glance over my shoulder at her, keeping my chin up because I’m going to crumple. Just fall apart and cry like a noisy, spoiled child if I don’t watch it.
“Look, I have a wild suggestion. And you can turn me down. I won’t be insulted, because you might think I’m crazy.”
Please. I’m the one who reeks of smoke and is at the lowest point of my life.
Seriously, I thought Edmund acting like he forgot me to that reporter person was a personal low, but what he did, plus everything else that’s happened to me, leading to now?
Bottom-of-the-barrel, in-the-toilet type moment for sure.
“Try me.” My voice is weak. My nerves frayed.
Nothing she can say would shock or upset me.
If she offers for me to stay in the back office for the night, I’d take her up on it.
I’m that desperate to stay here and not go home. To go home is admitting defeat.
And despite the low I’m currently wallowing in, I’m not ready to do that yet.
“Well, if you don’t have anywhere to go and you’d like to stay around here, maybe you can stay with . . . me?”
I whip around to face her, shocked by her generous offer. “At your house?”
“I live in a condo nearby, like only ten minutes away from here. I have a spare bedroom that I never use,” she explains, frowning slightly. “Well, it’s more like a storage room, and it’s full of boxes and junk I can’t let go of, but I can clean it up for you!”
Hmm. A bedroom is better than the back office at a resort.
“I’m just thinking you might want to stick around here while you deal with the insurance stuff or whatever. I would be more than happy to offer the room to you, if you don’t mind waiting for me to clean it out,” Paige explains.
I stare at her, dumbfounded by her kindness. This would never happen back home. I doubt any of my supposed friends would do this for me, save for Scarlett. She is truly the only one I can count on. “You don’t even know me.”
Her smile grows. “I know your name is Rachel and you seem really nice.”
“I could be a serial killer.” The words slip from my lips like I have no control of myself.
Paige laughs. “I doubt that.”
We both go silent, staring at each other over the counter, and I finally realize I need to speak. Again, I don’t even think when I make my decision. I’m going on pure instinct, something that’s gotten me in trouble in the past. Maybe I should change my ways?
Fuck it.
“I’ll take you up on your offer.” I smile at her, my heart easing when I see her smile and clap her hands together like she just won a prize. “I hope you won’t regret it.”
Her laughter fills the room. “I don’t think I will. Considering you’re holding one of those fancy Hermès bags to your chest like it’s your baby, I’m guessing you have a few stories to tell.”
My laughter joins hers, and I lean against the counter again, plopping my bag on top of it with a loud thunk. “I could keep you up all night with my stories, trust me.”
Paige rubs her hands together. “Awesome, it’ll be like a slumber party! I can’t wait.”