Page 6

Saturday morning.

“T hanks for this,” Sara told Mandy and rolled her suitcase into the woman’s two-story brownstone that sat at the end of a cul-de-sac in a quiet Oakland neighborhood.

“No worries. I’m glad for the company. Plus, we can save money on ride share,” Mandy said, leading her up the stairs.

Leaving her apartment had been a split-second decision, but her lease was up, and rather than find another place to live immediately, Sara wanted to take her time. Mandy had a spare room, so this was perfect.

“I’ve just been using this room for storage, so it’s a bit messy. Tomorrow, I’ll take the stuff down to the garage,” Mandy said, opening one of the doors in the upper hallway.

Sara poked her head inside. Boxes were stacked window high and dust littered the dresser, but it was big, had its own bathroom, and there was a queen bed and a closet. In the far end were sliding glass doors that led to a small balcony.

“This is perfect. It’s all I need and I will help with the rent.”

“Don’t worry about that, John takes care of the rent.” Mandy waved her hands as she spoke about her kids’ dad. They had never married, but John took full responsibility for his three-year-old daughter and five-year-old son.

“You don’t smoke, you seldom drink, and I don’t think you’ll be bringing random men home.” Mandy slapped her hands over her mouth to stifle her giggle.

“Thanks,” Sara shook her head and gave her friend a rueful smile.

“So, did the Plan B work?” Mandy asked.

Sara stared at her friend. “I didn’t take it.”

“What do you mean?”

“I just couldn’t do it.”

“Did you have your period?”

Sara shook her head.

“Oh, honey.” Mandy hugged her tightly. “When were you supposed to start?”

Sara thought back. “I should’ve started last week, I think.” Sara pushed her suitcases into the corner and perched on the bed.

“What are you going to do?” Mandy sat beside her.

“I don’t know. I spotted a bit a few weeks ago, so it could be nothing.” Sara shrugged.

“I have a test kit under the sink. I’ll get it for you.”

On the one hand, she wanted to know if she was, but on the other, she didn’t want to know. Fear was paralyzing her and she had no idea of how to get out of the crossroads she found herself at. Damned if I do and damned if I don’t.

But one thing she had come to terms with over the past few weeks was that a child was a blessing and if she were pregnant, she just couldn’t bring herself to end its innocent life.

“I just…can’t be pregnant,” Sara said with a sigh.

“What’s prego-nut?” Tyler asked from the doorway.

Sara burst into laughter and planted one hand over her face.

“It’s none of your business, young man, now wash up for dinner,” Mandy said. Jumping up with a laugh, she ushered her five-year-old son out the door.

Sara pressed her hands to her stomach.

No way.

No freaking way.

She was a failure at taking care of herself, how in the world could she take care of a child?

Your family could help. Sara shut that pesky voice down really quick. There was no way she was asking her family for help. Their money always came with conditions.

She had been eight and Shane four when the Jones family had adopted them. They were biological brother and sister and had lost their parents in a car accident a few months prior.

Laura Jones had looked her and Shane over and decided that they would take them home and groom them according to some hierarchical system that Sara now wanted no part of.

Of course, when she was younger, she had enjoyed the perks of being with the Jones.

She had indulged in yearly trips to Switzerland and brought her friends along with her. Sure, It had been fun growing up with the Jones name because they wore the best clothes, went to private schools, and were given cars to drive.

But that had been before her adoptive mother and father tried to mold her into something she didn’t want.

When she wanted to attend cosmetology school after getting her business degree, her parents had been livid. They wanted her to continue her education and get her PhD to become a lawyer—of all fucking things.

They couldn’t prevent her from starting up the salon, but they told her she would get no financial assistance whatsoever.

Sara didn’t need their help, and they soon realized it when she put herself through cosmetology school and opened her own beauty salon.

She was suddenly reminded of the phone call from her mother a few weeks ago. That was when she became grateful her phone had been stolen.

“I need you home,” Laura Jones had said flatly.

“Sorry, I can’t make it.”

“Your engagement party is coming up.”

“I’m not getting engaged.”

“After all I’ve done for you. After all I’ve given you.”

“And I appreciate it, but I’m not going to marry some blue blood you picked out so his family can line your pockets.”

“Are you sure about that?”

Sara’s stomach fell. “What do you mean?”

“Shane hasn’t finished his master’s yet.”

She heard the threat in Laura’s voice. If she didn’t toe the line, then her adoptive mom would use Shane as leverage.

“He’s a grown man. I’m sure Shane will figure it out,” Sara said snidely. “I’m not going to marry Justin whomever and you can’t make me.”

“You think so?”

“Wow…just wow…” Sara sighed into the phone. Her adoptive mother was living in an era long past.

“Goodbye,” Sara said and hung up the phone.

“You gonna eat with us?”

Mandy’s voice floated from the doorway, jerking her back to the dusty room filled with boxes, and Sara leaped from the bed.

“You bet I am.”

Kevin Wilson sat across from Chester Miller and sipped at his drink.

The Velvet Lounge was quiet for an early afternoon Monday.

“Where’s that cute manager of yours?”

“She’ll be in later.” Kevin was used to men asking about Sara. She was all kinds of hot, and when she told him she was looking for work, he had offered her the manager’s job at his lounge on the spot.

“There’s a shipment from Stewart coming in next Wednesday. Your manager cool with that?”

“She’s fine,” Kevin lied, knowing full well that Sara would freak out if she knew what kind of business he was a front for.

Oh well, what she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her. And if she ever found out?

Kevin would cross that bridge when he came to it. Right now, he would just enjoy having her around.

Sara had been the one who’d gotten away.

And he aimed to fix that fact.

If she’d let him.