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“Sorry, I’m here. It’s just a lot. I wasn’t expecting any of this.”
“And yet I can’t think of someone who deserves it more. I’ll talk to you soon.” He hangs up, leaving me staring at my phone.
“What is it?” Powers asks, crowding in close.
“James left me everything.”
He licks his bottom lip but doesn’t say anything.
“I feel dirty taking it.”
“So don’t take it.”
“Just like that?”
“We don’t need it, Lil. We were deliriously happy five minutes ago before you found out about the money, and we will be afterward. What did Lane say?”
“That I could do a lot of good with the money. I don’t need to keep it, but I can use it to help others. That kind of money could do a lot of good.”
“It could help a lot of the women who are seeking sanctuary at the shelter to start over. You could start a new life fund or some shit.”
“Such a poet,” I tease.
“We both know you don’t love me for my pretty words, just my pretty—”
“Greer, welcome back!” I say a little too loudly as I cover Powers’s mouth with my hand. He chuckles before licking my palm.
“Hey, sorry. Am I interrupting? I can wait somewhere else.”
“Don’t be silly. Sit. Powers was just going to order me some pie.”
“I was?”
“You were.”
He looks between Greer and me before he nods. “Right, I forgot. I’ll be back.”
He gets up and heads to the counter. I turn and look at Greer, who is fiddling with the hem of her ill-fitting suit jacket. Her skin is plainer than usual, and she has dark circles under her eyes.
“Is everything alright, Greer? You look tired.”
She pastes on a fake as fuck smile and nods. “I’m fine. Just really busy with work.”
I study her until she squirms. “If you ever want to talk, I’m an excellent listener. And I know how to keep a secret.”
She sighs, her shoulders slumping. “My boss is being difficult. I’ve made a few decisions that he doesn’t agree with, so he has purposely made sure I’m getting the extra…difficult cases.”
“What a shithead. This is because of you bringing Rebecca to Delphi and Kruger, isn’t it?”
“Partly, but it started before that. I guess we just clash, is all.” She attempts to shrug it off, but it falls flat.”
“How bad is it, Greer?” I ask her softly as her eyes fill with tears.
“Bad enough that I’d quit in a heartbeat. But I refuse to be another adult who lets these kids down.”
So, bad then. Greer worked hard to get to where she is. The bell above the door chimes, and in walk Toot and Mack. Greer swallows hard, and that fake smile is back on her lips once more.
“It will be fine, though. Everything will work itself out one way or another. No need to worry. I’ll be okay.” Her words run together as she hurries to get them out
