CHAPTER 2

I shoved the phone back into my apron pocket, my hands shaking so violently I could barely keep my feet planted on the floor. Panic was a heavy, suffocating weight crushing my chest. 

Maya looked at me, her eyes darting across my pale face as she racked her brain.

I was already running through every name that could actually help me in this situation in my head—what if I ask Jake's friends, or maybe my coworkers at Rust and bone. But none of them could come up with ten thousand dollars that fast.

Or maybe take out a loan. 

But loan sharks don't give out huge amounts like 10 grand on your first requests. 

God! What should I do?

Then Maya's expression shifted, a sudden spark of hope breaking through her worry.

"What about Jack?" Maya asked, taking both of my hands in hers. "Zee, ask Jack for a loan."

I blinked, taking a ragged breath. "Jack?"

"Yes! He’s your boyfriend, Zara. He’s been working that corporate job at the regional firm for over a year now. He’s always talking about his savings and his quarterly bonuses," Maya urged, her voice quick and breathless.

“Maya, you know how l feel about asking Jack for money for everything. He's already helped me several times l don't want him to feel…”

 "I know you hate asking people for money, but this is your mom’s life and Jack loves you. He’ll help you out of this." Maya cut in.

My heart hammered against my ribs. Asking Jack for ten grand felt like a massive blow to my pride, but Maya was right. My pride didn't mean a damn thing if my mother stopped breathing by eight o'clock tomorrow morning.

"I tried calling him earlier before my shift started," I mumbled, pulling my apron strings loose and tossing the cloth onto the counter. "But he didn't pick up."

I stared at my phone for a second. If Jack had the money and there was even a chance he'd help, I couldn't afford to let my pride stop me. I need to get to him as soon as possible, l would deal with the embarrassment later.

“Fine, I'll go to his apartment after we close for our shift.” 

"No Zee, you need to go there now, we don't have that much time," Maya said firmly, reaching into her pocket and throwing her apartment key ring—which had the spare key to her car—into my hands. "Take my car. Drive over to his place. He's probably just sleeping or has his phone on silent. Go knock on his door, Zee and tell him what’s happening."

"Maya we're still working, I can't just leave like this. If Mr Roswell sees I left my shift…"

"Don't worry I'll cover for you," Maya interrupted, pushing me toward the back door. "I'll tell him you went to throw out the heavy trash. Just go, Zara. Hurry."

A wave of overwhelming gratitude washed over me. Maya had been such a good friend to me since we met in college.

 We were roommates and we didn’t quite get along at first but with time we started talking and she has been the best friend l could ever pray for.

 Sometimes l just wished she was my sister because this girl was definitely God sent.  "Thank you, Maya."

"Hurry! Go!"

I bolted out the back exit into the freezing Chicago alley, the icy wind slapping my cheeks as I sprinted to Maya's black sedan. The engine spluttered to life, and I tore out of the alley, my knuckles white against the steering wheel the entire drive to the West Side.

Ten minutes later, I pulled into the brick driveway of Jack’s apartment building. The street was quiet, illuminated only by the faint orange glow of the streetlamps. I called his cell again as I ran up the front steps.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

“Hi, you’ve reached Jack, leave a message—”

I ended the call and let out a frustrated breath, stepping into the warm lobby. I didn't bother waiting for the elevator. I took the stairs two at a time up to the third floor, my heart pounding frantically with each step.

Reaching Apartment 3B, I reached into my bag and pulled out the shiny brass key Jack had given me six months ago. My hands were trembling so badly it took me three tries to fit the key into the lock.

"Jack?" I called out softly, turning the handle and pushing the door open. "Jack, it's me. I'm sorry to barge in so late, but it's an emergency…"

The words died in my throat.

His apartment smelled like expensive ladies perfume and takeaway Thai food. The living room coffee table was littered with empty takeout boxes, two high-stemmed wine glasses, and a half-empty bottle of vintage Cabernet. On the rug right beside the couch lay a pair of black, strappy Christian Louboutin heels.

Heels I knew. Heels that cost more than my entire monthly rent probably.

My stomach dropped. 

Slowly, as if in a bad dream, I stepped further into the apartment. Soft, muffled giggles echoed down the hallway from the master bedroom, followed by the deep, familiar sound of Jack’s quiet laugh.

“Stop it, Jack,” a sultry, purring female voice giggled from behind the closed door. “She’s going to call you again.”

“Let her call,” Jack’s voice drifted out, low and completely unbothered. “I turned my ringer off hours ago. I am not dealing with her disaster of a life tonight.”

My breath hitched. My legs felt like lead, but my body moved on instinct, dragging me down the hallway until I was standing right in front of his bedroom door.

I reached out, my fingers wrapping cold around the brass doorknob.

Then I pushed the door wide open.