Page 15 of Reverse Pass

“I’m sorry for coming in at the last second, but I have to try and beg for a place to stay tonight, and I’m hoping bakery goods can help me sell it.” I grin at her, hoping the charm will keep her from being too pissed at me. I know at my high school job I always hated when customers rolled in at the last second.

“That sounds like a pretty unbelievable story, but I’ll allow it. We don’t have much left though.”

“I’ll take whatever you’ve got.” I pull out my wallet and she starts gathering up pastries and cookies from the boxes she was about to put away.

“A dozen of a mix good?”

“Perfect.”

I glance down at my phone as Jake texts me about a party this weekend. Part of me wants to go, but the other part of me knows I need to stay away. I trust myself not to do anything stupid, but I don’t trust other people not to do stupid things in my proximity, and the fine line I’m walking means I can’t afford that kind of fun.

She puts the box and some napkins into a brown paper bag for me and proceeds to ring me up. I swipe my card and then offer her another little smile.

“Have a good night and good luck!” She smiles brightly at me.

“Thanks!”

When I get into the apartment, it smells and looks like smoke. Joss is standing in the kitchen waving a tray around, and Violet is opening the windows and the sliding glass door to the balcony. She turns around when she hears me, and I give her a questioning look.

“Joss tried to cook again.” Violet looks doubtfully at her friend.

“I am not stupid enough to try to cook, Violet. I merely put a pizza in the oven. I just happened to forget about it.”

“Whatever you want to call it, dearest.” Violet gives her a sarcastic little smile.

“I’m going to order Thai. Just tell me what you want.” Joss tosses the pizza in the trash and looks to both of us as she pulls out her phone.

“The usual,” Violet says.

“Pad Thai. Just let me know what I owe you. Thanks.” I nod and drop my bags by the door before I walk in to set the paper sack on the dining room table.

“What’s this?” Violet peers into the bag, grinning.

“Stopped at the place you guys like.”

“Did they have the muffins?” Joss whispers as she waits for the phone to be answered.

“I don’t know. It’s a mix of what they had left. They were closing.”

“Please let them have the cookies with the little white chocolate bits.” Violet pulls the box out of the bag and the napkins that were on top scatter.

One of them has writing on it and she picks it up, reading it as she does so, her face twisting with amusement. She hands the napkin to Joss, who smiles and looks at me, giving a low whistle before she’s interrupted by someone asking to take her order. I can almost, almost, feel the heat rise in my cheeks. I’m never embarrassed, but these two have a crazy ability to make me feel like I’m an awkward teenage boy again.

“What?” I ask innocently.

Violet holds up the napkin, reading from it. “Enjoy the sweets. If you need another taste or a place to stay tonight, text me. Abby. And then there’s a number.”

“Uh, yeah. That happens sometimes.”

“I bet it does. What exactly did you do to obtain these pastry goods?” Violet raises her eyebrow at me. “You’re supposed to be staying out of trouble, remember?”

“I am.” I snatch the napkin out of her hand and crumple it before tossing it in the trash.

“Poor Abby.” Joss frowns at the trash.

“Also, you should know the pastries are a bribe.”

“I mean that was obvious when I read the note.” Violet snickers, having way too much fun at my expense.