Something of a Storm (All in Good Time Book 1) by Brooke St. James

reluctant to leave my side as I was to leave hers.
    We were sitting on the couch when I first brought it up. "What do you think about picking up a few job applications tomorrow?" I asked.
    "I think we should," she said.
    "We can try to get a job at the same place," I said.
    "Why do you want to do that?"
    I was taken aback by the question. "I guess I just thought you'd want to."
    She smiled at me as if she knew what I wasn't saying. "I wouldn't mind working at the same place, but not because I'm scared or anything," she said.
    "You're not?" I asked.
    She shrugged. "I mean, I guess I am—a little anyway. But I can't let it control me. I can't let it rule my life. You're not gonna be able to be with me every second of every day, and that's okay."
    I was stunned by how strong she was being.
    She shrugged. "You've got your stained glass thing starting next week. I'm not gonna be able to tag along with you to that. I might as well get used to the idea of being by myself sometimes."
    I just stared at her. I honestly didn't know how I felt. I hated the idea of leaving her alone, even for something I loved like stained glass.
    She must have seen the reluctance in my expression because she said, "It's okay, Laney. Everything's gonna be okay."

 
    Chapter 7
     
     
    There were tons of businesses within walking distance of our apartment. It wasn't necessary for us to get a job so close, but I knew it'd make things easier if we found something nearby.
    Lexi and I picked up applications at more than ten places, but only one of them needed help bad enough that they were willing to hire both of us. It was a busy restaurant named Miller's, and not only were they willing to hire us, but they were also willing to work with us so that we worked the same shifts. I would work as a waitress and Lexi would be a hostess.
    I was the one who was adamant about sticking together. Lexi insisted she would be okay working different shifts or even working at different places, but I just couldn't do it—especially when Miller's was willing to accommodate us.
    We were supposed to start training the following Tuesday, which happened to be the day before I was scheduled to meet Peter for the first time. We had nearly a week to get settled in our place and get to know San Francisco before beginning our job. At first, that seemed like forever, but the time flew by.
    We heard from Aunt Barb and Mrs. Williams during that week, but never from our mom. I called and left a message on her machine telling her we made the trip, but she didn't call back. Aunt Barb and Mrs. Williams, however, were both curious about how things were going.
    Lexi was in the shower when I spoke with Mrs. Williams and I came really close to telling her all or part of what had happened on the way there. I'd shared a lot of my thoughts and feelings with her during the past couple of years, and I thought if I were to tell anyone it'd be her. I changed my mind and instead decided to keep the conversation surface level. I was glad I made that choice, because Lexi happened to take a really quick shower that night and I would have had to cut the conversation short.
    The incident was still very present in my mind in spite of the fact that I never discussed it with Lexi. I couldn't help but replay the scene in my head. I assumed that was to be expected since it had only been a week since it all went down.
    "You're lucky," Lexi said, coming out into the living room right before our first shift at Miller's.
    "Why?"
    "Because you have a uniform and I'm stuck having to come up with something to wear to work."
    It was her first job, and she was excited enough about it that having to choose an outfit didn't matter much to her, and we both knew it.
    "You have to wear all black. That's basically a uniform," I reminded her for about the third time. She stared at her reflection in the full-length mirror on the bedroom door. I could tell she felt confident, and it made me happy. I loved seeing a hint of her old