“Yes. I was so mad I filled in the tip line. I’m sorry. Are you going to tell?” Ria bit her lip. She didn’t know what she would do if she lost this job.
Chris’s face softened. “Don’t worry; I’ll take care of it.”
Ria reached out, giving him a quick hug. “Thanks, Chris.”
Chris stood in the doorway, watching the waitresses get into their cars, before going back inside.
After locking her doors, Ria sat in her car for a few moments to gather herself. She needed that money so badly. She had come from a life of luxury to this. She hated herself for it, but she had also promised herself it was only temporary. She would get herself and her mother out of this situation if it was the last thing she did.
Chapter 2
“What are the cause and symptoms of a febrile seizure? Ria!”
Ria jumped and saw the exasperated expression on her friend Lacey’s face.
“Wake up! You’ve got to be ready for the exam.” Her pointy finger prodded her shoulder.
“Sorry, Lacey, I had a late night,” Ria explained.
Ria didn’t mention that she’d stayed up half the night, worried about the repercussions from giving herself that tip. It hadn’t mattered that she’d done the right thing in the end.
Lacey folded her arms across her chest. “Unless you were up all night studying, that’s no excuse!”
Ria rolled her eyes. Lacey knew damn well that Ria had spent the night working.
“Couldn’t sleep last night; work sucked,” Ria replied.
“If you don’t pass the exam, you’ll be stuck there even longer,” Lacey snapped.
Ria sighed. Lacey was right. Ria was studying for the paramedic cognitive exam. She had been an EMT before and had done so well she was often given the lead role when sent out for emergencies. That was, until she was fired for being disrespectful. She wasn’t able to get another EMT position because it was a small world, and no one wanted to hire someone with an attitude. It hadn’t even been her fault. If not for that Rocky-impersonator, she would still have her well-paying job, not showing the depth of her cleavage.
Lacey was the perfect study partner. She was currently in med school, and had fully dedicated herself to being one of the top students in her class. She didn’t take kindly to slackers, considering how hard she worked to obtain her own success, and didn’t want to hear Ria’s excuses. For Lacey, there were no good excuses for not accomplishing a goal. Ria respected her dedication; she just wished Lacey was a little more understanding of the responsibilities Ria held.
They had met each other their freshmen year of high school. Lacey’s family were all highly educated and expected the same from her. Ria wasn’t as studious, and her family couldn’t care less about her education. Unfortunately, Ria wasn’t one to sit in a classroom, but she was still a hard worker.
Becoming an EMT had required training in the classroom, yet it had also consisted of a lot of hands-on, keeping Ria interested. Now, it was time to move up to the next level and become a paramedic. She felt guilty knowing that Lacey was taking time out of her busy schedule to help her study. With that thought, she picked up her mug and took a gulp of the lukewarm coffee to try to give herself a caffeine boost.
“Okay, febrile seizure… young child, rapid elevation in body temperature, loss of consciousness, typical seizure actions. Emergency services called if seizure lasts longer than ten minutes with abnormal sleepiness and breathing problems.”
Lacey nodded. “That should be enough info for the exam.” Her stern expression softened into a sweet smile.
Ria knew there was a lot more information behind all the questions, but Lacey did a good job of making sure Ria didn’t waste her time on too many details, knowing she would pick up the details later. It was more important to study for what would likely be on the exam.
They studied for the next three hours before calling it a day. Then they talked about what to do for dinner that night.
“How about Chinese?” Ria asked. She had a coupon for buy one get one free, so it wouldn’t cost too much.
Lacey stared at her. “This is how you pay me back for helping you study?”
Ria smiled mischievously at her friend. “Come on; maybe he isn’t working today.”
“Let’s go somewhere else, and I’ll pay,” Lacey offered.
“No, you paid last time. It’s my turn,” Ria replied firmly. Her friend hated going to Ria’s favorite restaurant because she had a burning hatred for one of the waiters working there.
Peter was a really nice guy, as far as Ria was concerned. However, Lacey felt Peter was lazy and partied around too much, while Peter felt Lacey was too boring and studious for her age.
“Okay, then, but when it’s my turn, I’m picking El Grande,” Lacey said vengefully.
Ria nodded her head. Lacey believed in fair play. Whenever she went to a Mexican restaurant, the waiters treated her to abundant attention and drinks. By the time they would leave, she was often drunk and felt like J-Lo.
Both women gathered their things.
“Ready?” Ria asked as Lacey touched up her makeup.
Ria hid her smile. For someone who declared her dislike of Peter often, she was making sure she looked her best.
“Yep. Let’s go,” she replied, snapping the compact shut.
They always studied at Lacey’s apartment as Ria barely had enough room for herself and her mother in her own. Lacey had wanted her to share the apartment with her, but Ria had been unable to leave her mother behind, even at the cost of being dragged into her world.
Lacey often offered money to Ria, but Ria couldn’t take it. She didn’t want to feel indebted, even though she knew Lacey wouldn’t expect to be paid back. Ria didn’t envy Lacey’s money and taste for the fine things in life, either. She merely wanted to be in the situation to care for herself and her mother. Ria knew she had to find a way to fix the precarious situation they were in, though.
They stepped into the elevator and made their way to Lacey’s Avalon. Ria liked to tease her about her staid car, but Lacey said comfort was more important to her than being flashy. Ria didn’t disagree; her own piece of shit felt like she was sitting on a tractor when she drove.
They slid onto the leather seats and made their way to the restaurant. It was a local place, off the main strip. Most tourists tended to stick to the chains and even most of the locals didn’t realize how good the small restaurant was. It was one of Ria’s favorite places to eat.
As they walked in, they heard their names.
“My favorite ladies. R
ia and Lacey, where have you been?” Ria smiled at Peter. He always greeted them with a smile and usually gave her a big discount on food.
“Work and school, what else?” Ria replied with a smile.
“Oh, Ria, you must always make time for fun.” Peter winked at her. “Come out with me, and I’ll show you.”
Ria laughed and shook her head. He was a harmless flirt, yet she couldn’t help appreciating his flattery. He was friendly with Lacey, but was always a little more reserved with her when Lacey didn’t return his friendly chat.
He ushered them to their usual table and went to get their drinks without asking them what they wanted. He always brought them a surprise mixed drink each time they came. So far, they had all been delicious, and she looked forward to whatever concoction he brought them tonight.
“Ria, I think he likes you. You probably shouldn’t encourage him. We may need to stop coming here,” Lacey said.
“What the hell, Lacey?” Ria scowled at her. She was trying to hide the flicker of hurt in her eyes, but Ria had known her friend a long time.
“Do you really want to date a guy who flirts with every woman he sees?” Lacey questioned.
“I thought you liked this place?” Ria asked.
“Yeah, it’s good food—period,” Lacey stated.
Ria started to snap back at her to quit being so obnoxious, but she chose to bite her tongue. Lacey didn’t date often, and when she did, it was with men who shared her serious outlook on life. When a woman looked at Peter, her thoughts would be of sex—wickedly fun sex. Subsequently, Ria was sure Lacey found him disconcerting.
She liked Peter and coming here. She enjoyed returning the harmless flirtations, letting them take her mind off all the crap going on in her life. If she had to come without Lacey in the future, she would. She had hoped Lacey would gradually ease up on him, but Ria had been wrong. Lacey was only becoming more antagonistic.
“Okay. Let’s enjoy whatever he brings us, okay? No worries.” Ria smiled at Lacey and saw her relax.