Page 21 of Greed

“I…I don’t know. It’s an odd name. There can’t be too many in the city,” I said, waving my hand dismissively.

“I will do my best, Sir. You finished with an amazing time, and you will be early for your board meeting.”

“Excellent.” I pushed the image of the raven-haired beauty from my mind as I focused on the meeting I was heading to next—annoying humans.

* * *

“Do you believe that guy?” Minetta said again. She paced back and forth in front of the table. “So rude, so unbelievably…rude.”

“So, you keep saying.” Penny sat on the water table, her legs dangling over the edge as she sipped on one of the orange drinks.

Minetta focused her attention on her friend, who had barely said a word since the encounter with the assholio. She stared at Penny’s features, and she seemed annoyed, but if anyone had a reason to be annoyed it was not Penny.

“What is your problem? You have been strange all day, and now you’re barely speaking to me? I finally stand up for myself, like you have kept encouraging me to do, and you act like I’ve committed a cardinal sin.”

Penny laughed a sharp bark before she rubbed her face. “I’m sorry, but you’re right he was being a real jerk,” Penny whispered. “At least you never have to see him again. I mean, why would you want to see him again? In fact, it would be wise to avoid all contact from now on. He would most likely be even more of a pill.”

She nibbled on her bottom lip. “You’re right. I don’t have to see him again. Thank God for that.” Again, Penny erupted in laughter like she’d just said the most hysterical thing. Minetta shook her head at her friend, not even bothering to question the strange behavior, and then turned toward the sound of feet. The last of the runners were limping toward them, and she cheered and clapped before she grabbed a bottle to take to the stranger.

“You’ve got this!” She smiled wide at a woman who was in obvious pain and yet was still pushing on.

“Thank you,” the woman said and took a big swig of the drink before jogging off. “I didn’t think I’d make it,” she said and took a few deep breaths. Despite the achievement, the woman’s eyes seemed sad.

Minetta felt compelled to reach out and touch the woman’s arm. “Are you okay?”

The woman nodded, but tears trailed down her cheeks. “I was supposed to do this with my daughter, but she’s in the hospital fighting cancer. It’s not right to be a parent and see your child suffer like that.”

Minny offered the woman a warm smile. “You’re out here for her?”

“She insisted that I still come to the race. It just didn’t feel right, but I couldn’t tell her no.” The woman looked down again.

“I have an idea.” Ducking under the table, she grabbed her small pack and pulled out her phone. “Turn so the camera can pick up the finish line in the background.” The woman nodded and got into position and smiled wide, holding up the bottle. “Good, now give me a crazy face.” A few shots later, the woman was laughing. “Perfect, what’s your number so you can share these with her and she can feel like she was here with you.”

The woman relayed the number, and Minny sent the photos. “Thank you, that was really kind. I don’t know what to say.”

“No need to say anything. I hope your daughter gets well soon.”

With a little nod and sniffle, the woman shoved off and made the final dash for the finish line.

“You really are a good person Minny, don’t ever lose that,” Penny said from her perch on the table.

She looked at her friend’s serious face and gave her the same reassuring smile she offered the runner. “Why would I?”

“No reason, I just never want you to change. It’s easy to do in this world.”

“Yeah, I guess it is.” She figured if she were going to change that much, she would’ve already done it by now with the shit she’d been dealt. “Did you want to come over? I can order pizza, or there is a great new Thai place that delivers,” Minny asked as she grabbed the empty boxes from under the table to clean up.

“I’d like that. We could still do the beach tomorrow if you want?”

“I would, but I’m working myself up to breaking things off with James, and I need some mental headspace to do that. I hope you understand.”

What she didn’t tell Penny was that she was planning on visiting her mom for a couple of days and calling in sick to work. The encounter with the woman reminded her that it had been too long since she’d been home. The thought of her mom had her mood souring once more. She’d already been through her dad’s long agonizing illness, and now it looked like her mother was going to suffer the same fate, just with a disease by a different name.

“Hey girl, come here.” Penny wrapped her in a hug, and she gripped her friend tight. “If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”

Minetta stepped back and wiped at the wet spot she’d left on Penny’s orange tank top.“Thanks, but I think this is a task I need to do alone.” Toby head-butted her leg, and she reached down to pet his head.

They quickly got everything packed up and put it into a pile for the clean-up crew to come to gather. As they made their way down the street, the hair stood up at the nape of her neck, and she paused and looked around. It was similar to the sensation she’d had at work that one night. There were still a number of people walking around, but no one seemed out of place or dangerous.