Page 36 of Married in Michigan

“And your stuff?”

“I’ll pack a suitcase with my makeup and comfy clothes and stuff, but from what you’ve told me, nothing I own will really be good enough for the life you’re telling me I’m about to jump into.”

“Also true. There’s a lot of shopping in your future.”

I grin at that. “Well darn. What a hardship.”

He snickers. “Yeah, poor you. Have to buy a whole new designer wardrobe, purses, shoes, and makeup.”

I look around again. “What’s our timeframe?”

He glances at a wristwatch that blinds me with the amount of gold and platinum on it. “I have to be in DC for a meeting with some colleagues early tomorrow. I can help you pack, make some phone calls for you if need be.”

My head whips up to lock eyes with him. “Wait…tomorrow? Like, pack and leave today?”

Paxton’s eyes are actually somewhat sympathetic. “Um, yeah?”

“I have scheduled work shifts, Paxton. It’s customary to give two weeks’ notice before quitting a job.”

“Say there’s a family emergency. They’ll figure it out, and it’s not like you’ll be back there anyway.” He’s so casual about it; but then, it’s not his problem to worry about.

Or, I guess, it is now. Sort of.

“Fine.” I feel like this is, somehow, jumping off a cliff—the first of a series of no-returns. Quitting without notice is anathema to me, being someone who takes my reputation as an employee very seriously. “I’ll call my bosses.”

“I’ll handle the hotel,” Paxton offers.

“If you handle me quitting the hotel, your mom will suspect something,” I point out.

He growls. “Yeah, true.” He rubs the back of his neck. “So what can I do?”

I shrug. “Sit there and be pretty?” I quip. “On second thought, you being here will just unnerve me. Just…give me a couple hours and I’ll be ready.”

He shakes his head. “No. I’m not giving you a chance to change your mind. And you gotta get used to me being around, Makayla.”

I hate that he’s right.

He just fills my apartment in a way I’m not used to. His presence, his scent, his bigness—my tiny apartment feels so much tinier with him in it.

Plus, dealing with Tanya at the hotel means bringing up Mom, since Tanya is aware of the basics of my situation, and I just don’t even want to bring Mom into this.

I find my beat-up old Razr flip phone, the same one I’ve had since high school, and dial the café first. Bill, the owner and manager, answers. “Just Eggs, this is Bill.”

I take a deep breath. “Hi, Bill, it’s Makayla.”

“Makayla, what’s up? If you need a shift, I’ve got Lisa looking to have Monday morning covered.”

I wince. “I, actually—um. I have a family thing, Bill.”

“So you need time off?”

“Um. I—I’m sorry for the short notice, but I actually have to put in my notice.”

“So, two weeks? Or now?”

“Now, I’m afraid. I’m so sorry. I’ve never quit without notice before, but it’s not something I can avoid.”

“Well, if it can’t be helped, it can’t be helped. Sorry to see you go, though. You’re a great waitress and great to have around.” Bill is also my landlord, I should point out. “You need a break on the rent? Or are you moving out, too?”