Cheap Shot Read Online Free PDF Page B

want is to
make Sela happy again.” He reached for Marlie’s hand. “Admit it, we were pretty
great together. She loved me.”
    “But you didn’t love her,” she said,
withdrawing her hand. “That was the problem, wasn’t it?”
    Marlie was tough as nails. Jaxon had always
admired that about her… until now. “Things are different now. I’ve done a lot
of soul searching, and I know I was in the wrong.”
    “Then you’re willing to admit you love her
now?” Marlie asked, clearly not willing to relent.
    “Stop, Marlie!” Joe said, leaning in and
lowering his voice when the bartender glanced their way. “That’s none of your
business. It’s up to Sela and Jaxon to decide if they can find their way back
to each other. I’ve agreed to do what he asks. End of story.”
    Marlie clearly wasn’t happy with her
husband’s decision, but she seemed ready to stop fighting.
    “You said you’d talk to her before her
shift tomorrow. What time does she start?” Jaxon asked.
    “Five o’clock, but she’s always here about
twenty minutes early,” Joe said.
    “You mind if I send Dylan in to have a word
with her?” Jaxon asked. “It might soften the blow if he reminded her she has
another job waiting for her.”
    “No problem.” Joe offered his hand. “Good
luck, my friend. I have a feelin’ you might need it.”
     
    *   *   *
     
    “I can’t believe this,” Sela said, fighting
back tears when Joe gave her her walking papers. “I’ve been working here ever
since I started school. I thought I was doing a good job.”
    “You’ve always done a great job for us,
darlin’.” Joe patted her hand awkwardly. “I wouldn’t do this unless I had to.
Things are a little slow right now, and I have to make sure my full-timers are
getting all the hours they need.”
    That was the way things had always been,
but Sela hadn’t realized things had slowed down that much. They’d always
been fairly busy the nights she was working. “I only have a few more months
before I finish school. I just thought I could count on this job until then.”
She realized how self-centered she was being. Marlie and Joe had always been so
good to her, and she knew the decision had to be difficult for them. She forced
a smile. “It’s okay. I’ll find something else that works with my schedule.” She
had no choice, especially since her sister was moving into a new condo with her
husband after the wedding. Sela would have to foot the rent for their
two-bedroom apartment on her own.
    “I hate like hell to do this to you,” Joe
said, shaking his head. “If there was any other way…” He sighed. “You can
finish out the week, if it’ll help, but don’t feel obligated to. It’s up to
you.”|
    Joe looked up and smiled when he spotted
Dylan walking toward them. “Hey, buddy, nice to see you again.”
    “You too, Joe,” Dylan said, winking at
Sela. “How are things?”
    “Can’t complain too much,” Joe said. “I’m
afraid I have to go check on things in the kitchen. We have a new sous chef
with a bad temper.”
    Dylan laughed. “I know what that’s like.
You mind if I take this table? I have a friend meeting me in a bit.”
    “Be my guest,” Joe said, standing. “I’ll
send a waitress over whenever you’re ready to order.”
    “Thanks.” Dylan sat across from Sela. “Nice
to see you again, pretty lady.”
    “You too, Dylan,” Sela sighed. “I should
probably change into my uniform.”
    “Why the long face?” he asked, frowning.
    “Joe just let me go.” She bit her lip,
hoping she wouldn’t break down in front of Dylan. “He didn’t have a choice.”
    “Damn, that’s too bad,” Dylan said. “But
our offer still stands. The pay’s great, and the hours are flexible.”
    She was between a rock and a hard place,
and she suspected Dylan knew it. “I can’t work with Jaxon.”
    Dylan laughed. “You wouldn’t be working with Jax. He’s hardly ever there. He spends most of his time at our head