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“But—”

“We’ll figure it out tomorrow, but you can’t stay here tonight.”

Nicola wasn’t going to fight it. She’d known she was wrong from the start. She shoved the blanket into the backpack that she’d brought inside, and slung it over her shoulder. Once again, she had no idea what to say. Tommie was being way nicer than she needed to be about everything. She could have screamed and yelled, or she could have called the police. It wouldn’t be the first time that Nicola had dealt with something like that, and she was pretty damn sure that now it wouldn’t be the last time either.

She was silent as she stepped outside, as Tommie made sure to lock up after her and stared her down. “You don’t have any keys, right?”

“No,” Nicola answered and shivered in the cold. “Why’d you come back?”

“Left my phone.” Tommie frowned and sighed heavily. “I hope he doesn’t fire you for this. I actually like you.”

Nicola snorted lightly. “Wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the outcome. Go on, don’t feel bad about it. It was my choice.”

“Yeah, it was.” Tommie still shook her head with guilt though. “See you tomorrow.”

“To face the music!” Nicola gave a nervous chuckle and watched as Tommie walked off.

She started toward her car and halted, frozen on the spot, at the dark SUV that was parked on the street and the short, spunky, fiery woman standing outside the back door with hershoulders square, an upset look on her face, and no way to actually avoid her.

“Fuck.”

“Explain to me why it’s well after closing, and you’re just now leaving the bar,” Abagail’s voice burst through the air. “Better yet, explain to me why you look like you were just kicked out on your ass again.”

“I-I wasn’t,” Nicola stuttered as she strode toward Abagail. Two could play at this game, and while she hadn’t been prepared for a fight, she wasn’t going to avoid one either. She could use the burst of energy to keep her going for the rest of the night.

“The truth, Nicola.” Abagail’s tone was a warning if Nicola had ever heard one.

“It’s none of your business anyway! What do you care?” Nicola tightened her grip on the strap to her backpack and walked toward Abagail. She wasn’t going to shout down the street at each other so the cops could actually get called on her and she’d be hauled off then. Because they damn sure would believe Abagail over her.

“Oh, I care.” Abagail’s jaw clenched, her eyes narrowed, and her hands fisted at her sides. The lights from the streetlamps were barely enough to illuminate her, but Nicola would know that look anywhere. She was about to get the shit scolded out of her. “And if you think for one second that I don’t, then I haven’t explained myself well enough.”

Nicola stopped at that. “What?”

“Nic, everything okay?” Tommie stepped up on the sidewalk, staring at the two of them.

“Uh… yeah.” Nicola nodded. “We’re fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I can handle it. Thanks.” Nicola didn’t want to seem too dismissive, but she also really didn’t want Tommie involvedin this. It’d absolutely ruin any chance of her keeping her job if they found out she had fucked the owner.

She waited until Tommie walked off before stepping in even closer to Abagail.

“I don’t want to hear anything of it,” she growled out. “I’m done with you.”

“Why?” Abagail frowned, reaching out and touching Nicola’s arm. “I thought we left on a good note.”

“Good note?” Nicola furrowed her brow. “I mean, yeah, it wasn’t a bad note. But you’re done with me now, so why are you here even? You told me it was over. So it’s over.”

“I…” Abagail cocked her head. “Where have you been staying?”

“It doesn’t matter, does it?” Nicola curled her fingers around the strap to her backpack, trying to keep her hands to herself, but Abagail’s fingers wrapped around her wrist burned her. “I’m not yours to keep.”

“I never wanted to keep you.” Abagail let go of her and leaned against the car, heaving out a breath. “I never wanted to do anything but help you, and I told you that you could stay at the house longer if you needed.”

“No, not if our agreement was over.”

“What was the agreement?” Abagail’s lips thinned. “Because I’m not even sure if I remember it anymore.”