Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 32760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 164(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 164(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
She’s like a vision of beauty, even now without an ounce of makeup, no stylish clothes, and her hair a total mess. The fabric of her T-shirt seems like it’s decades old. It’s fraying on the hems, is torn at the collar, and is so thin that I can see the outline of her breasts and nipples as she stands there looking at me.
This is a girl who doesn’t need to be glammed up to look gorgeous. This is a girl who already is, both outside and in.
“Why did Janelle fire you, Rain?”
Rain shrugs and almost laughs again. “At this point, what does it even matter?”
“I have connections. Maybe I could talk to her–”
“There’s no talking to Janelle, Marlon. Once she’s made up her mind, that’s it. Plus, she’s in the fashion industry. That’s just not your world, I’m sorry to say.”
“Rain,” I say slowly. “What did she fire you for?”
Rain sighs deeply and places a hand on her forehead.
“She caught me working on my own designs at work, and you’re not supposed to do that.”
“What do you mean your own designs?”
“I want to start my own fashion line,” she replies. “It’s been a dream of mine forever. But if you work for Janelle, anything you design at work belongs to Janelle. I was working on something in secret that Randy, one of our sample sewers, was going to work up for me so I could get it out and get opinions on.”
“And she caught you and fired you for that?”
Rain nods. “Someone snitched on me most likely.”
She leans against the doorframe, looking utterly defeated.
“I wouldn’t worry about that, Rain.”
She looks up instantly, eyes ablaze, her nostrils flaring. “Oh, you wouldn’t? Why? Because you’re like a billionaire and being fired doesn’t matter to you? Because money doesn’t matter to you? Because you have everything you could ever possibly need–”
I move in quickly and silence her with a kiss.
My arms wrap around her tiny waist as I pull her to me, holding her body close, feeling her softness as she presses against me like a light in the darkness.
It takes her a second–almost as if she were stunned by my advance–but she kisses me back oh so gently. Like a wounded puppy not sure if she’s being loved or tricked.
I pull back before I lose myself to her and gaze deep into her eyes, seeing things in them I never allowed myself to see before.
“It’s going to be all right, Rain. I promise you. And I don’t want you to worry. I want you to put some shoes on and come with me. Right now.”
She looks back at me, and I can see a hint of anxiety come over her.
“Marlon, I look terrible. I’ve been crying, I have no makeup on, I’m in no condition to go anywhere–”
“Rain, you look absolutely beautiful, just like you always do.”
She twists her head and looks at me like I’ve gone crazy.
“Beautiful? Marlon, why–why are you talking to me like this?”
“Because it’s true.” I smile. “Come on, put your shoes on. I’m double-parked downstairs, and I don’t want someone trying to tow me.”
There’s really no risk, of course, but at least it gets her moving. Rain turns and slides into her Converse and takes her jacket from the chair. She grabs her keys and steps into the hall, then quickly locks the door behind her.
“Where are we going, Marlon?” she asks as she follows me down the stairs and outside.
“Out of the city,” I reply, holding the door for her. “It’s a bit of a drive.”
The ride to the bridge takes just under a half-hour, which is a bit of a miracle, but we manage to luck out with the traffic. More people are coming into the city than leaving tonight.
Not much is said as we drive. I play some down-tempo rock that’s basically just background music and can see Rain is still mulling over the fact that she just lost her job and what she’s going to do about that, but the car is not the place to have the discussion I want to have with her about all that.
There’s a twisting sensation in my chest as I round the curve and the bridge comes into view. I haven’t been here since Jennifer jumped–since she died–and not much has changed. Maybe the trees and brush has grown up a bit, but it pretty much looks just like it did five years ago.
I clutch her necklace–tucked deep in my pocket–as I pull up and park, then take a deep breath as I feel Rain looking over at me.
“Where are we, Marlon?”
It takes me a moment to answer. I guess I didn’t fully realize just how powerful it would be for me to return to this area.
“Come,” I say, opening my door. “I want to show you something.”