ed her hands on her apron, the scent of grease and coffee clinging to her skin like a second layer. Her feet ached
r mother's last p
the counter. The number on the bill- $4
, barked from the kitchen.
ed the booth where a couple sat, laughing over shared fries
be
ut under the pretense of checking an order, but
OVERDRAF
mach cl
Evelyn shrugged on her thin jacket-the zipper had broken weeks ago-and stepped in
ly through her emails. Bills. Collection notices.
m Mia, her best fri
s idea, but just LOOK. It'
t was a
n cli
alified Surrogates – Confiden
eath h
hen her mother was first diagnosed. But the idea of carrying a child f
o
d nothing l
inst the winter chill. She dropped her bag by the door
otice. If payment isn't received w
before the sent
y's website was sleek, professional. No photos of smiling
cy Solutions. Disc
, then clicke
ucation, even a full-body photo. Evely
is in
peeling wallpaper, the stack of unpaid bills,
ed out t
xpect a resp
ring coffee for a table of businessm
the diner's cr
woman's voice, cris
es
acy Solutions. We've reviewed your applicati
e spiked. "An
elective, but your profile
A wealthy one, if he was goin
" she
ess in the financial district-a high-ris
went dry. "I-
d Mia tha
?" Mia's voice was equal
, sitting on the edge of her bed. "The m
v... this isn't just some jo
ed her eyes
can handle that? G
on hung in
red. "But I know I can't hand
y blouse, black slacks, the only pair of heels she o
is. It's just
t step toward selling her body
l steel and glass. The lobby was silent except
ist eyed he
ave a ten o'clock w
ng, then nodded. "Eleva
le that didn't reach her eyes. She led Evelyn into a c
your information," Claire sa
ch flipped. "M
ursed. "He prefers to handle
ld process that,
walke
Black
dressed. Eyes l
a handshake. Just sat across
measured. "Age twenty-seven. No genetic
u make me sound li
ssing. "In a way, you are. This
rned. "I'm
et's be clear-this isn't a family b
fted uncom
elf to breathe. "W
a paper to
Full medical coverage. Residency
art st
illion d
e every debt.
what
. "And after the
didn't change.
retched be
d down at th
, she reache