smelled exactly as Crysta reme

did not take Crysta back to the motel. She pulled

o said, turning

hands gripping the straps of her cheap

clothes," Margo said. "You look

nd two pairs of sturdy, dark denim jeans. She threw in

r heart racing. "I cannot pay fo

"I am taking it out of your first paycheck

She belonged somewhere. The tight k

d a brick building on Main Street. A faded wood

eat from the kitchen hit Crysta's face. It

rep station, aggressively

enched so hard the muscle ticked under his skin. He

ng here?" Leo's voice

on a stainless steel counter. "She is our new wa

led her into the dry storage pantry.

fryer. Her thumb found her left

d through the door. "She is a felon!

needs a job, Leo,

be violent! We cannot have an e

like physical slaps. He was right. Fr

her face flushed. Leo followed, his arms stil

d, wiping her hands on

ow, creaking wooden staircase. They reached a sma

as a twin bed with a faded quilt, a small dresser, and a wi

ran her hand over the back of the wooden chair.

the doorframe to keep from falling. A

e swallowed the lump in her thr

hange your clothes. You

and jeans, the lunch rush had begun. The diner was l

into her chest. "Memorize it

k the menu

d in the stiff new shoes. Sweat dripped down her neck. She carried he

indow, she felt Leo's eyes on her. He wa

ical labor. The exhaustion was a blessin

d out. Margo flipped the sig

the counter, her legs

he set it down in front of Crysta. It was a massive pile of spag

l," Margo

rose from the pasta. Her mouth wa

he first bite. The hot, rich flavor exploded on he

the espresso machine. He watched her eat. He didn