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“No, I don’t, nor would I want to. I have enough unwanted baggage I have to deal with.”

Nicola’s heart sank at that. Was that what Abagail thought of her? As a weight she had to carry around because Nicola was too stupid to take care of life herself?

“I needed a job. I need to start getting my life back on track.” Nicola clenched her fingers together tightly, and she could barely bring herself to look up at Abagail, but something drew her attention there.

“Yes, you do need a new job. I just thought… Well, since it’s my bar, I thought you’d tell me.” Abagail plopped her glasses back on and focused on her book again. “We’re going to have a guest for a few days.”

We?

What was Abagail getting at? Now she was talking like Nicola actually lived in the house when twenty seconds ago, she was calling Nicola a burden. Nicola glanced toward the door. “Oh?” It was the only thing she could think to say that might get her more information than Abagail was giving.

“Greer. You remember her from the bar that night we…” Abagail trailed off, and her cheeks reddened. She looked up from her book, turning to face Nicola full on. “The night we decided revenge tasted sweet.”

Nicola’s heart jumped. That’s right. That’s what she was here for. Revenge and fucking—she wasn’t really useful for much elsein life. Even bartending, which she was fairly decent at, wasn’t panning out for her in the long run, was it?

“It did taste sweet.” And Nicola would give a whole lot to go straight back to that night and make different choices.

She didn’t want revenge. What she’d wanted was to forget, and Abagail had been an easy target to help her along with that goal.

And they’d both run away with it, and it had landed them here. In this odd push-and-pull relationship that neither was satisfied with. Nicola sighed and then bit her cheek. “I can quit the bar if you’re uncomfortable with me working there.”

“Why would that make me uncomfortable?” Abagail frowned slightly.

“Because…” Nicola had no idea what she was saying. She was grasping at clouds. “Because it’syourbar? Because it means you’re not paying me enough for my work here? Because Warren might come in and cause issues again?”

“Warren.” Abagail spat his name out like it was a curse.

Nicola jumped at the crack in her voice. She wasn’t sure she’d ever heard Abagail that angry before. “Yeah, I mean, he caused issues last time.”

“Warren’s known for causing issues.” Abagail dropped her book onto the side table and pulled her glasses off. Immediately, she stood up and wandered to the window and crossed her arms, staring out of it. “He never knows when to stay out of a problem.”

“Problem?”

“It doesn’t matter.” Abagail spun back around. “I’m not going to stop you from having a job, Nicola.”

“But you seemed so mad about it.”

“I’m mad you didn’t tell me about it.” Abagail pursed her lips before shaking her head. “I won’t pay you anymore.”

“I-I’m not asking for that.”

“But that’s why you’re working, right? Because you need the cash.”

“Well… yeah.” Nicola curled her toes in her shoes. “I don’t like relying on you as my sole income, and I have to pay for the next month for Alanna.”

Abagail crossed her arms tighter. “So work.”

“I am working. I’m trying to get out on my own again. I don’t want to be a weight that you just can’t shake.” Nicola stood up then, energy coursing through her. She had no idea what to do next. To stay or go, or just get the hell out of dodge. She shook her head in disbelief and then started toward the door to the library.

Abagail caught her wrist and dragged her back around, staring at her in confusion.

Well, good, because Nicola was confused too.

“What are you doing?” Abagail asked.

“I don’t know,” Nicola whispered, the confession falling from her lips before she could stop it. “I’m so lost.”

Abagail nodded slowly. “I know you are.” She reached up and cupped Nicola’s cheek. “I’m not kicking you out, Nicola. I’m not putting you out on the street. You’re free to leave if you want to, but I… don’t want you to.”