Worth Every Cent

by Lexy Timms

  I was really beginning to hate this place.

  “Michelle?”

  “Yeah, Brad?”

  “Can I see you over here for a second? Go ahead and cash your tips out.”

  “But I still have fifteen minutes.”

  “It’s fine. Go ahead and do it, then come talk to me,” he said.

  Furrowing my brow, I worked quickly to cash out the rest of my patrons. I collected my tips and my percentage from the tip jar, then I took my apron off. I followed Brad to the back of the kitchen, trying to ignore the rolling of nausea in my stomach.

  “We need to talk,” Brad said.

  “About what?” I asked.

  “I have to run a professional establishment. And anything my employees do that distracts from that professionalism can’t be tolerated.”

  “I understand completely,” I said. “What’s happened, Brad? Did someone complain?”

  “I really hate to do this to you because I know you’re in a tough spot, but I have to let you go.”

  Let me go.

  Let me go?

  “What?” I asked flatly.

  “It’s not going to work out. I have to keep the highest standards I can in this place.”

  “It’s Stillsville, Brad. There are no standards.”

  His face grew stern as I swallowed my tongue in embarrassment.

  “You might not think so, but those of us who grew up here? We do take a little bit of pride in what we do. Maybe if you did, you wouldn’t be losing your job.”

  “What did I do? I’ve been busting my ass working for you. Covering Cecily’s shifts when she calls in last minute and never once have I complained or been complained on,” I said.

  “Sometimes, it isn’t about complaints.”

  My jaw hit the floor as the reality of what he was saying fell onto me.

  “It’s the gossip,” I said.

  “Michelle, I can’t discuss—”

  “You can’t discuss it, but you can fire me over it? What are they saying?” I asked. “What is this wretched town saying about the stranger?”

  “Give me your apron. Your last paycheck will be here Thursday for you to pick up.”

  “Not until you tell me what the hell—”

  “I can’t have my entire damn dining room talking about my waitress’s love life, Michelle!”

  “It’s none of their damn business who I’m screwing around with,” I said. “I’m a woman. I have a sex drive. What’s so wrong with that?”

  “If you don’t know now, you will soon. Now give me your apron or I’ll take it from you.”

  “I’d really like to see you try that in front of the kitchen staff.”

  All of them stared as I looked down at Brad’s outstretched palm. Why the hell was I getting fired over my fling with Gray? Did this town really hate him so much that they would abandon anyone who hung out with him? I snickered and shook my head as I slapped the apron into his hand. I eyed every single kitchen staffer before they quickly got back to work. I shoved myself out the side door, fearing that if I walked through the main room of the diner I’d yell my entire love life at the top of my lungs so no one could gossip like it was some wild ass secret.

  I shoved the last of the tips I’d ever make into my jean shorts as I made my way for the parking lot.

  One month. One month was all it took for me to be homeless and unemployed again. Whose cock did I have to suck to piece together a decent life for myself!? I walked around the building and into the parking lot just as Gray pulled up. I felt like I was moving through Jell-O. Swimming through an endless abyss of dark sludge that kept trying to drag me under and drown me.

  “Michelle?” Gray asked, as his hands hit my shoulders. “What’s wrong?”

  “Take me home,” I said breathlessly.

  “I can’t take you back to—”

  “Take me to Anton’s home,” I said.

  The relief that poured from Gray’s face filled me with the only ounce of hope I was afforded in this idiotic town. He guided me to his car and helped me in, then burned rubber getting out of that place. Good. I wanted an imprint on their parking lot they would never forget. I curled up against the door and rested my cheek against my arm as the wind ran through my hair.

  Gray helped me into the house and I headed straight for my room, pushing my way into the bathroom.

  I heard Gray leave the house again, but I didn’t care where he was going. All I wanted to do was wash the day from my body and cry into my hands. I sunk to the floor of the shower, soaking myself in tears. I didn’t know what else to do. I didn’t know how to stay strong a second longer. The only thing different about my life from a month ago was I had a little more money to my name now. And it would only get me so far before I’d be right back to square one. I cried and cried. I let snot flow from my nose and coat my skin. I didn’t care. I didn’t want to care. All I wanted to do was feel the anger and the sorrow coursing through my veins before I pushed it all down again.

  Then I wiped at my face, stood up, and cleaned myself off.

  I stepped out of the shower and saw a robe hanging up on the wall. My robe. A robe that had been at Cecily’s. I furrowed my brow and peeked out of the bathroom, taking stock of all my possessions. The beautiful bags from Michigan Avenue and the black trash bags that held my tattered fabrics.

  Gray had gone to Cecily’s and gotten my things.

  A small smile trickled across my aching cheeks.

  I dried my hair off and reached for my robe, wrapping the comforting fabric around my body. I smelled the familiar hint of cocoa in the air and fresh tears rimmed my eyes. I dragged my body into the kitchen and found Gray standing at the stove, stirring everything together before he poured it into a mug.

  I sat down at the kitchen table as my wet hair dripped onto the wood, sniffling as Gray slid the mug into my vision.

  He sat down and cupped my hands, and it rushed more tears to my eyes.

  “What happened?” he asked.

  I didn’t want to tell him. I didn’t want to remind him of the kind of loser I was. Of the weak girl he’d attached himself to. I didn’t want to tell him I was fired for being with him. I didn’t want to tell him I was once again homeless and without a job. I didn’t want his pity or his advice. I wanted to be his equal. I wanted to be this independent woman that found her way in the world and could provide for herself without the help of a man.

  Without the aid of a billionaire.

  “I hate this place,” I said with a whisper.

  Tears rushed my cheeks as my eyes panned up to his.

  “I hate this place,” I said with fervor.

  Then the bars dropped on my walls and the tears flowed. My shoulders shook with my sobs as Gray rushed from his chair. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me out of my seat, then sat down and dragged me into his lap. I buried my face into his neck, taking in his strength as I broke down against his muscles. He held me as close as he could get me, forcing the tears to flow with a mighty force.

  “Shhh-sh-sh-sh,” he said. “It’s okay. I’m right here.”

  “Why did I ever come to this place?” I asked.

  “Let it out,” he said. “It’s okay.”

  “Why did I ever hook up with Andy in the first place?” I asked.

  I felt his arms tighten around me as his lips peppered my cheek in kisses.

  “Cry all you want,” he said into my ear. “But once you settle down, you’re going to talk. Okay?”

  And I nodded into his neck before a fresh batch of tears unleashed themselves onto his skin.

  Chapter 25

  Grayson

  I held her in my arms, feeling the sheer amount of tears she had to cry drip onto my neck. My mind spun with a thousand different things. Had someone come into the diner and said something to her? Had her boss done something? Had Cecily done something? I rubbed her back and tried to calm her down as much as I could, but deep inside I was furious. Seething with anger. This beautiful woman, who had
eyes for me and only wanted to try and put together a life for herself, had been beaten down by the same community I ran from the best I could as a teenager.

  Then, she unleashed.

  “Brad fired me,” Michelle said.

  I furrowed my brow as I placed my cheek on top of her head.

  “Why?” I asked.

  “He said he had to run a professional establishment and that he couldn’t have the entire diner talking about the love life of his waitress. I asked him what that meant, and he said if I didn’t know, then I’d know soon enough.”

  “The hell does that even mean?” I asked.

  “I don’t know, but I was fired on the spot for it. And I got a call from the landlord. He didn’t accept my references, so I’m not getting the house.”

  “What?” I asked flatly.

  I leaned back and watched as her eyes connected with him. I’d be calling that man and asking for some serious money back. Who the hell did he think he was? I greased his palms with a great deal of money upfront to secure that place for her. And if he thought for one second he was going to run off with my money and kick this woman out onto the street, he had another thing coming. I’d take him to court and rid him of everything he had to prove my point.

  It made me wonder if his wife had even been in the hospital. Maybe they’d taken a trip with the money I gave them up front.

  “I don’t know why everyone is so up in arms about us. I mean, I assume that’s what Brad’s talking about. People kept snickering and whispering about me at work. About the stranger from out-of-town.”

  “That’s what they do here, Michelle. They talk about everyone else to fill their own pathetic lives.”

  “But it cost me my job, Gray.”

  “Then we’ll find you another one. Okay? I’ll help in any way I can,” I said.

  “I don’t know if you can,” she said breathlessly. “I called to cancel the other applications because I thought this house was a sure thing. I just knew it. I felt so confident in it, and I don’t have the extra money to replace those applications to see if something else will work.”

  “We’ll figure it out,” I said. “Trust me. We will.”

  I scooped her up into my arms, abandoning the cocoa I’d made her. She needed a distraction. Something to make her smile and draw her away from the world for a little while. I walked us into the television room and settled her down onto the couch, then flipped through the channels until I found a movie marathon of Marvel movies. Not my cup of tea, but Michelle seemed entranced by them. She probably didn’t get out much to go see a movie in a theater, so the second her eyes hooked to the television I let it be. I sat down beside her, pulled her against my body, and stroked her arm as she watched them with great intent.

  Hearing her laugh lifted the burden from my heart, but the remnants of her tears on my neck made me hate Stillsville even more. I didn’t think it was possible to hate a place as much as I did that town, but the people in it always seemed to find ways to blow my shitty expectations out of the damn water. I stroked her arm through the first two movies, and by the time the third movie started up, her head sagged against my chest.

  Soft snores filled the television room a few minutes later and I knew she was out.

  Carefully, I picked her up and carried her into her room. She needed to rest. To clear her mind so we could come up with some sort of alternate game plan. She didn’t have a choice. Until I left town again, she was staying at Anton’s. It would put a roof over her head and I could keep her stomach full until she figured out something. And with the money I’d be paying her to help me with the house, she could add that to what she had so she could get by. Hell, maybe I’d stay behind and make sure she was taken care of before I left.

  Or maybe I’d just take her with me.

  I shook the thought from my mind. I couldn’t take her with me. Was I an idiot? I had a business to run. A life to lead. Traveling to do. I couldn’t uproot her and expect her to just keep my home and lay in my bed until I got home every damn night. And I sure as hell wasn’t going to present the opportunity and expose my greatest fear.

  That all of this was still a ruse.

  I settled her down into her bed and tucked her in. I wanted to crawl in with her and hold her close. I wanted to snake my hands underneath her robe and dig my hands into her pliable softness. But she needed some space, especially after her whirlwind of a day.

  Hell, her whirlwind of a week.

  I looked outside and watched the sun set below the trees. Michelle would probably sleep all damn night, which meant a lonely bed for me. But it felt good to look across the hallway and know she was in there. In my home. Sleeping safely and waking up to a meal in the morning.

  Anton’s home.

  Not my home.

  Why did I think it was ‘my home’?

  I cleaned myself up and fell into bed. I tossed and turned, waking up and hoping Michelle was there next to me. I still wanted to walk across the hallway and crawl into bed with her. Feel her press that luscious ass into my groin until she woke up and I could slide into her heat. My dreams were filled with thoughts of her. Those sounds and her body and her tits piled in my face. Her pussy sitting on top of me and riding my lips until her juices dripped down my neck.

  I woke up rock hard and had to relieve myself in yet another shower before I could focus on cooking breakfast.

  As I laid the bacon out on a tray to bake, my cell phone rang. I reached over for it and picked it up, not even bothering to see who was calling. But I really should have looked, because I was in no mood to address my realtor at the moment.

  “Mr. MacDonald! I’ve set up another showing for you.”

  “Have you vetted the person this time?” I asked.

  “I got your message, and I want to apologize. When she came into my office, Miss Cecily seemed very interested in the property.”

  “You live in this town, Mr. Angier. You grew up here yourself. I know you’re familiar with Cecily and her family. I know you knew damn good and well she couldn’t afford Anton’s property. So before we go any further with our relationship, I want you to tell me why you allowed her to schedule a viewing of the property.”

  “Believe it or not, I checked her financials and it all checked out. She could afford the down payment, so I set up the meeting.”

  “She could afford the down payment. On the salary of a waitress,” I said.

  “I can’t go into specifics, but it’s in the past. I promise you, Mr. MacDonald, I’m not scheduling this property to be viewed by anyone who isn’t personally checked and has passed my standards. Her credit score was in line, her financials were in line, and she seemed interested. So I booked the showing. But, if you’ll listen to me, this one is a very serious offer.”

  “I’m the one who gives the orders. Not you. Now, you’ve got thirty seconds to tell me about another showing before I go with another realtor,” I said.

  “It’s a solid offer. There’s a non-profit the next county over that’s looking to transform Anton’s place into a senior living home. It’s got all the amenities and the kind of set-up they’re looking for, and they are looking for an opportunity to expand.”

  “Why not expand in their own county?” I asked.

  “Their current facility is overrun. They have more demand than space. So, they’re looking for another property to take under their wing and revamp. Plus, it would be only the second senior living facility in all of Stillsville, and with our population aging out quicker than it can replenish, more and more of these spaces are going to keep popping up. The reason I want them to take a look at the property is because I know your godfather had a heart for helping people. I have the website of the nonprofit if you want to check them out.”

  “When do they want to see it?” I asked, as I cracked some eggs into a pan.

  “Tomorrow.”

  “Can’t do it tomorrow,” I said. “I’m in the process of restaging the house. Cecily really did a number on it when she c
ame in. It’ll have to be re-cleaned and staged, for all I know.”

  “We don’t want them waiting too long, Mr. MacDonald. Otherwise they’ll start searching for other places. This is one of those rare client’s that’s looking to pay all of the money upfront without haggling too much over the price. One offer acceptance and this could be behind you with these kinds of clients.”

  “Too bad it wasn’t that way when we were doing this the first time. Let them know the house won’t be ready until Thursday, and in the meantime, text me that website. I’ll be vetting them thoroughly, and personally calling them before they walk through this home. Just to make sure there are no more surprises in store for me,” I said.

  “Of course. I’ll get right on it.”

  I hung up the phone without even saying goodbye. I didn’t want anything else to taint the morning I was trying to put together for Michelle. I heard her stirring in her room, so I reached over and turned on the coffee pot so it would be fresh. Eggs, bacon, and buttered toast with some jams sounded like a great breakfast. Especially if I was going to be sharing it with her.

  I didn’t actually have to restage the house. A bit of cleaning, sure, but what I didn’t want was to sell the property off that soon. I wanted more time with Michelle. And if Thursday was the latest I could push out the showing, then that was what I would do. I kept an ear out for Michelle and didn’t hear any more shuffling around, so I figured she’d fallen back asleep.

  Then, I had an idea.

  I went digging around in Anton’s cabinets and found exactly what I was looking for. A small tray with two handles on each end. I always thought he had the most random shit in his home growing up, but every time I turned around he had exactly what I needed to make Michelle’s stay a little more special. I put her plate of food and her coffee on the tray, then stacked on some silverware and some jams. Then, I picked it all up and headed straight for her room.

  Breakfast in bed was always a great way to begin any morning.

  I slowly opened her door before knocking it open with my shoulder. I switched on the light and grinned as a groan fell from her lips. She wiggled around and drew in a deep breath, pulling the covers over her tangled mess of hair.