Fool for Love (Believe #2) by Karen Ferry

devoid of emotion.
    I shake my head and walk away from the trio.
    “Suit yourself!” he calls out after me, his maniacal laugh following me all the way home.
    Something has to be done. Soon. Or his death will be inevitable.
    I refuse to let another person I care for die.
     

     

     
    It’s been a quiet morning. I’ve been lounging around, being lazy. Garrett was home when I woke up, but went out with Rufus. They haven’t returned from their walk yet even though it’s been a couple of hours now. I feel more refreshed than yesterday, and while I really only want to keep being lazy and lose myself in a romance novel all day, I should probably head out soon.
    I curse the shopaholic in me for going completely crazy when I first came to the city. Instead of buying designer clothes, shoes, and bags, I should have been more careful with my money. Those things may look beautiful, but that’s all they are – things. Inanimate objects that aren’t really good for anything in the long run.
    Except for when I go out with Morgan or Safiro, that is.
    Nevertheless, I vow to become more sensible with my finances in the future.
    I decide to stop dragging my feet and take my last sip of coffee. As I stand up, the front door opens, and Rufus bounds inside, leash in his teeth. I offer Garrett a friendly smile when he enters the room.
    I open my mouth to greet him, but no sound follows, because he abruptly stops and stares at me, nostrils flaring.
    I frown at him.
    “What?” I ask him. “Why are you staring at me like that?”
    He closes his eyes briefly and then shakes his head before opening them again. He doesn’t answer my question, though. I’m just about to repeat it when a text pings from the iPhone in my hand.
    I look down and swipe the screen to read it.
    Morgan: I may have found a job for you.
    I quickly type a response.
    Me: You have? What’s the job? And where?
    I turn to walk to the bathroom, Garrett’s strange behaviour completely forgotten.
    Her answer follows swiftly.
    Morgan: It’s a bartending job at a club called The Vault. The owner’s a friend of mine: Rowan Mitchell. You interested?
    I frown. The Vault ? What kind of name is that? I mentally slap myself, because that’s not important.
    I close the door to the bathroom and type a reply back.
    Me: Of course I am, if the salary isn’t too horrible.
    I place my phone on the vanity and turn on the shower. Remembering that I haven’t locked the door yet, I quickly turn and flip the key, satisfied when I hear the click. I doubt that Garrett would disturb me while here, but you never know.
    My phone pings soon after.
    Morgan: Trust me, the salary is way better than the usual. The question is if you’ll be comfortable there. It’s a club that caters to…various tastes.
    “What the fuck does that mean?” I whisper, a bit apprehensive now.
    The screen lights up with another text before I can ask her more questions.
    Morgan: I wouldn’t tell you about this job if I didn’t think you could handle it, Suzy. But it’s up to you. I just know that they’re hiring staff, and I know you’re struggling right now. That’s all.
    Blowing out my cheeks, I hold my breath, quickly typing a response.
    Me: What’s the address, and when is this friend of yours available?
    Morgan: I’ll send you his phone number and then you can call him and set up a meeting.
    Resolutely, I nod, determined to take this as a positive sign. Besides, it’s not as if I have a real choice, now is it?
    Me: Perfect. Thank you. xoxo
    Morgan: No problem. xoxo
    I sigh deeply before putting down the phone again. I look in the mirror above the sink and curse when I see my reflection.
    Note to self: white, cotton nighties are not a good idea to wear when you live with the opposite sex!
    My cheeks burn with mortification as I take in how see-through the nightie looks. No wonder Garrett stared! I bet it was even worse with the light coming in from the windows behind me.
    “That’s it. I need to buy