A Tale of Two Pretties by Dawn Pendleton, Magan Vernon Page B

food but then I was afraid they would do an autopsy and find out he was poisoned and Mac would know it was me and totally hate me.
    “B-Rad can watch him,” I offered.
    “Uh, no, B-Rad is afraid of the not even one pound animal,” Mac said, her words tinged with disgust.
    As if Brad heard his name mentioned, a knock came in the door, but he didn’t even bother waiting for us to answer before he opened it. When working, he was always in a plain black t-shirt, but when he wasn’t he usually wore just a pair of shorts or some shirt with a ridiculous saying on it. Today’s shirt was bright pink and read “Don’t laugh, I borrowed this from your mom.” “Hey, ladies, just thought I’d come in to check on you.” He turned slowly to see us standing in the open door of the bathroom. “Whoa, Mac, do you ever wear clothes?”
    “You wouldn’t be complaining if it was Darcy.”
    “Still would because she’d have something covering her.” He winked at me and my cheeks immediately flushed. I had to change the subject, and fast.
    “We were just talking about you. We won tickets to an author event in Savannah next weekend and were hoping you could watch Heath.” I put on my flirtiest voice possible and batted my eyelashes, hoping my charm worked on him even though we were definitely past casual flirting.
    “Nuh uh.” He shook his head. “No way in hell I’m watching Spiky Satan.”
    “Told you, Darcy. Looks like no Savannah,” Mac said.
    “But, I’ve got a friend that is going to veterinary school. He’s really good with animals, even has a rescued bull dog. I’m sure he’d do it. I’ll text him.” Brad pulled out his phone, typing away on it.
    “See? Heath problem solved!” I said, smiling at Mac.
    “Yeah, but that doesn’t help the other problem of money for a hotel and how the hell are we going to get there?” She arched an eyebrow.
    “I can totally pick up more shifts at work and you make bank at the temp agency.”
    “Not really,” she muttered.
    “And we can just drive B-Rad’s truck to Savannah.”
    Mac and B-Rad both snapped their heads in my direction as if I just told them the stupidest thing in the world.
    “Can you even drive a stick?” Brad asked.
    “Yeah, I totally can,” I lied. It couldn’t be that hard to figure out.
    Mac shook her head. “Whatever, you guys figure it out because I need to finish getting ready. And please don’t be fucking when I get out of the bathroom.” She closed the door.
    “Wanna come over and play Mario Party?” Brad turned to me a huge grin on his face. We’d played the game more times since we’d known each other than I had in my entire life.
    “I would, but I actually have to get ready for work tonight, too.”
    He leaned in, pressing his forehead to mine. “I’m sure I can talk to the boss about letting you off.” His lips brushed against my cheek before he whispered, “In more ways than one.”
    I wanted to give in, but not now. Especially not with Mac right there. “Maybe later. I really do need to get ready, but I’ll see you at work tonight?”
    The disappointment was evident as the smile left his face and he let out a heavy sigh. “Fine. I guess I’ll see you at work and maybe we can hang out later?”
    “Definitely.” I looked at the door, making sure Mac wasn’t about to open it then gave Brad a quick peck on the cheek which brought a hint of a smile back.
    “See you later, B-Rad.”
    “See you later, Peach.”
    ***

 
     
    Fifteen
     
    Van Mayer Department Store
    Friday
    7:51 PM
     
    Mac
     
     
    I went from day shifts for weeks on end to getting saddled with at least a week of night shifts. The only perk was that the job was mindless. Folding clothes was mechanical, requiring almost no brain effort. And after spending the last few days writing, staring at the damn computer screen, willing the words out, I found the new job kind of relaxing.
    I always wanted to write. Of course, when I was in high school, I wrote love