I’d dropped off my resume at a handful of places, but never heard anything back. How did people land their dream jobs anyway? Or did they? Was gynecology anyone’s dream job? What about managing a fast food joint, or cleaning roadkill off the highways, or being a mortician? Did people choose those things, or just get pulled into them somehow and never end up leaving?

If I’d never been fired from Holy Diner! I might’ve been stuck there for the rest of my life, taking orders, getting to know the regulars, maybe earning a half dollar raise. Yuck. I didn’t want to be stuck anywhere, didn’t want my future mapped out like that.

I decided to drop off resumes to places I wanted to be, even if they weren’t hiring. I handed them out to all the kinds of shops I’d want to work in, wearing my best outfit and brightest smile. It might come to nothing, but it was worth a shot. I’d never get a job at a place I wanted if I didn’t try.

When my cell phone rang a few days later, I didn’t recognize the number.

“Hello?”

“Is this Maggie Hale?” a woman asked.

“Yes.”

“Hi, Maggie. You don’t know me, my name is Lacey Benwick and I own a store just off the strip. We need a sales associate and I wondered if you’d like to come in and interview.”

“Oh.” I paused. I didn’t hand out resumes anywhere near the strip. I hoped this wasn’t a scam. “Did you get my resume?”

“No, you were referred to me by a close friend.”

I blinked. Referred? Close friend? “I would love to come in. What’s the name of your store?”

“We’re called Maquitte. We sell a combination of clothing, accessories, and home decor.”

She told me the address and I jotted it down on my arm. “That sounds great. When would you like me to come in?”

We arranged a time and I hung up, excited but also confused. Who could’ve referred me to this place? I barely knew anyone in Vegas. Except Nico, who I’d just complained to about my job situation. Did he know someone at Maquitte?

The next day I walked into the store and gasped. Modern décor covered the walls, a glass chandelier hung from the ceiling. My eyes roamed over a mix of country and urban pieces. Soft leather purses dangled from racks and antique style jewelry nestled in bowls. And the clothes—my goodness, the clothes. I wanted to take every piece home with me.

A woman greeted me at the door, her hand stretched out. “I’m Lacey, nice to meet you.”

Lacey was beautiful, sporting a trendy angled bob and light tan. She seemed older than me, though not by much which was a surprise since she owned the store. She put me right at ease and I ended up nailing the interview. She hired me on the spot. I went back to Bronywn’s apartment—I’d always think of it as hers—with a smile on my face and a bounce in my step. I owed Nico, big time.

I went to Eastside Boxing that night with a couple of large pizzas from the place Nico and Bron used to order from, plus a six-pack of ginger ale. Nico was surprised when he answered the door.

“We’re celebrating,” I said, while Nico cleared the books from the table.

“Celebrating what?”

I put the pizzas down, then cracked open a can. “My new job.” I held it up like a toast. “To you!”

Nico opened his own soda, but he gave me a weird look. He sipped, then made a face. “Disgusting.”

“Better than beer any day.” I took a slice of pizza, the cheese dripping off the top.

“Are you checking up on me?” he asked, motioning with his slice. “Is that what this is? Not that I’m complaining.”

“I wanted to say thank you,” I said, “for helping me get my new job.”

He pressed his lips together, like he was trying not to laugh. “I didn’t do anything.”

“What?”

“I’ve barely left this building since Christmas. I’ve been too busy with all this stuff, and cleaning, and before…”

He didn’t need to talk about before, I already knew about that. But if he didn’t refer me to Lacey, then who had?

“Let’s celebrate anyway.” I’d figure out who referred me later. Maybe Lacey would tell me.

He smiled. Maybe he was lying about the referral, but I didn’t push it. I was happy to see the smile there in the first place.

“I never say no to free food,” he said.

Now that sounded like the Nico I knew.

After dinner, I took my stuffed self to my dance space and tried to work on my audition piece without vomiting. I’d eaten way too much. I gave up after less than ten minutes. I hadn’t brought my dance clothes anyway and it was awkward trying to dance in jeans.

I headed down the stairs, my hand over my aching stomach. I’d have to be extra good tomorrow to make up for everything I’d eaten tonight. Essence wouldn’t let me in if I gained twenty pounds.

On the mats, Jay was putting away some dummies, pushing them against the far wall. His arm muscles bulged with the effort.

“Need some help?” I bit my lip. Why had I offered?

“No.” He shoved the last dummy against the wall and I went for my boots at the door. “Unless you want to clean the bathrooms.”

I shuddered. “No, thanks. I had enough of that at my last job.”

He came closer. “You don’t work at the diner anymore?”

“Getting fired from that place was the best thing that happened to me.”

“Why?” He crossed his arms. It made his biceps bulge, which is probably why he did it all the time. To intimidate men and make women drool.

“I got a new job. A little boutique near the strip. Haven’t started yet.” I slid my feet into my boots. “Anyway, isn’t cleaning the bathrooms Nico’s job?”

“When he gets around to it,” he said. I straightened, making a face, which he noticed. “Don’t worry, he will. He’s been a lot better.”

When Bronwyn was around, it didn’t seem like he did anything at all. It was a good sign that even Jay noticed Nico was doing better.

“And that’s thanks to you, I hear.” Jay was close to me now, so close I could feel the heat coming off his body. I wanted to lean into it before I remembered who it was and what he thought of me.

“Me?” Why did my voice sound so breathless? And why was I looking at his lips?

“You.” Jay’s head tilted, and he leaned in.