A Case of Extreme Mistaken Identity - Victorine E. Lieske Page 0,5
her father would call her later tonight after thinking harder about it. Especially if she sent him a few photos of her in her new uniform, maybe he would see how hideous it was and give in. She’d done what he said. She got a job. Now he needed to lighten up.
But even though she told herself her father might come around, a foreboding feeling crept into her chest. If he decided this was good for her, she just might be stuck working for who knows how long.
Chapter 3
Austin turned on the faucet and bent over to check the P-trap once again. He’d been there for over thirty minutes, messing with the pipes. It was a welcome change in routine, as the most excitement he’d had in the last two weeks was ordering a Pepsi and getting a Dr. Pepper instead. He held his breath that he’d finally fixed the leak.
Another drop of water hit the wood. Well, darn. He’d already tightened the joint as far as he could. He knelt to see how fast the water was leaking and winced as pain shot through his knee. He bit his lip and held in a swear word.
Mrs. Fleming walked into the bathroom and tsked, folding her arms. “Can’t get it to stop? I knew this place was run down. I can’t believe what they charge here.”
“It just needs a little plumber’s tape, that’s all, ma’am.” Austin hefted himself up, hoping he hadn’t further damaged his knee. That was all he needed, more recovery time at a beautiful resort where he couldn’t do anything but stare at the ocean and wish he was in it.
A frown tugged on Mrs. Fleming’s mouth and she let out a long breath. “We’re leaving in a few minutes. We have tickets for the river run excursion.”
“Then I’ll stop by later tonight.” He tried to give Mrs. Fleming his best smile, but it felt forced. Maybe because she grated on his nerves, and what he really wanted to do was tell her off.
She touched her hair and glanced up at the ceiling. “Oh, all right, I suppose.”
Wow. She was a bottle of sunshine. Was this how she treated everyone? Or just people she felt were beneath her? Austin gave her a nod and motioned with his wrench. “I’ll be going, then.”
He didn’t wait for her to show him to the door. After he got outside, he took in a deep breath, filling his nose with the smell of the beach. It was probably stupid to insist on fixing Mrs. Fleming’s sink, but it was something to get his mind off his knee. At least, it had been.
He hobbled down the pathway. Surely he didn’t damage it more, right? All he did was kneel. It was probably just a twinge. Healing was painful. That’s all.
Danica emerged from the main building and rushed toward him, her hand on her hat. She held a bundle of clothes to her chest. As she grew closer, she waved at him. “Hey, thanks for helping me earlier. It looks like we’ll both be working here. I got the job.”
She pulled out a handful of papers. “I just need to fill these out.”
It was awkward now, having not corrected her before. It kind of felt like it was too late to do it. Besides, how often was he going to see her? Tomorrow she’d forget he even existed. He decided to play along. “Congratulations.”
“I’m Dani,” she said, sticking out her hand. “Well, everyone calls me Danica, but I prefer Dani.”
“Yes. I know who you are.”
She didn’t seem to be surprised. “I didn’t catch your name.”
“Austin.” Her skin felt surprisingly warm on his. And soft. She must use a ton of expensive creams on her hands. But she had a firm grip, which he liked. He hated those dead-fish handshakes.
Her smile widened. “Like the city. I can remember that. I once ate the most amazing steak in Austin.”
What an odd thing to say. He didn’t know how to respond to that, so he simply stood there like his feet were glued to the stones on the path.
Dani didn’t seem to notice. “Maybe I can take you to dinner as a thank you. Do you like seafood? There’s this great place down the street.” She froze, and her mouth shaped into a small circle. “Oh, I mean, after I get some money…” Pink rose to her cheeks and she shifted her weight. She’d obviously embarrassed herself. He felt bad for her, for some weird reason.