“I had a good job to keep me going.”
“Where?” Hannah asked.
“It was a grocery store.”
“Do you still work there?”
Kiera shook her head. “No, the manager said he had to lay me off because they weren’t making enough money. I found out later that he gave my job to his nephew.”
“He lied to you?”
Kiera nodded and pulled up to a rundown apartment building.
Hannah looked around. She wouldn’t admit it, but she was terrified of getting out of the car.
“Come on,” Kiera said. “I want us to get into the apartment as quickly as possible.”
Hannah grabbed her bag and raced after Kiera. They went up three floors and then into an apartment. She didn’t take a full breath until the door was locked behind them, and then Kiera moved the kitchen table in front of it.
“How long have you lived here?” Hannah asked.
“Close to four months.”
Hannah dropped her bag by the sofa and looked around. The apartment was small and dark. The furniture was ratty, and the drapes looked old, but everything was clean.
“The furniture was here when I moved in, and since I didn’t have any, I was thankful.”
Hannah sat down and pulled Kiera down beside her. “What happened?”
“I couldn’t afford the house we were living in. My dad said the house was paid for, but the bank told me it was foreclosed on, and I had to move out.”
Hannah squeezed her friend’s hand when she teared up.
“I think they were lying, but I can’t prove it, and no one would help me find out. I went to the police, and they said to get an attorney. I can’t afford that. Now, I’ve lost my job, and I can’t find another one that will pay me enough for rent, much less a lawyer.”
“What are you planning to do?” Hannah asked.
Kiera shrugged. “Keep looking for a job.”
“I think you should come back with me.”
Kiera’s eyes widened, and then she sighed. “No, I’m not going to leach off of you.”
Hannah squeezed her hands. “No, you wouldn’t be. We have plenty of room in the house, and I bet I can get you a job where I work. They are so busy they need people.”
“The same place you work at that helps people?”
Hannah nodded. “Yes. I love it.”
“I don’t know…”
“I thought you and I could get a place together later.” Cullen’s face popped into her head, and she had a strong premonition she wouldn’t be living with anyone except him. She’d see how things went.
Kiera’s mouth dropped open. “Like for real?”
Hannah giggled. “I think it would be fun. I’ve never lived with anyone except my family.”
Kiera bounced on the sofa. “I would love that.”