Read Online Diving In (Open Door Love Story) by Stacey Wallace Benefiel - Free Book Online Page A

parks and rec swim lessons like me. Travis jokes that he had to go to school to get away from working.
    “What about you Brynn?” Travis asks. “Your family is in dry cleaning, right?”
    I snort. “I don’t know if that’s how we’d say it. My mom and grandpa own and operate a chain of dry cleaners. I manage the Bingham store.”
    “Interesting,” he says, like he really is interested. “That’s sort of an up and coming neighborhood. I was thinking about buying a loft on Beech.”
    “I don’t know if it’s really your scene, Travis,” I say, chuckling. “Lots of young families moving in. They probably wouldn’t appreciate the parties until 3 a.m. every night of the week.”
    “Oh, c’mon now,” he smiles broadly, showing off his perfect teeth. “Despite what Mr. Sundall thinks, people can change.”
    “Do you have a job, Gabe?” Andy chimes in, but doesn’t wait for Gabe to answer. “I’m surprised Brynn doesn’t have you helping her out at the store. They’re hiring.” He turns to me. “You don’t think Gabe would make a good employee?”
    I balk. What the hell is up with him? “Of course I do. We haven’t really talked about it.” I look at Gabe. “Do you have an interest in working at the cleaners?”
    He looks up like the answer to my question is hovering somewhere above his head. “The sooner I start making my own money, the sooner I can move out of my parent’s house.” He shrugs. “I have been thinking about getting a job, I just didn’t know where to begin.”
    “And of course, I would offer,” Travis says, “but I’m not sure a potato chip factory is a good fit for you.”
    This is turning out to be the strangest night. “Okay, well, I was going to hire someone to start next week.”
    “You sure you don’t need to interview him first? What if he’s not qualified?” Andy asks, with a smirk.
    I’ve had just about enough of Andy’s bullshit. I turn to Gabe purposefully. “Have you ever had a job?”
    “I mowed lawns and shoveled snow around my neighborhood.” He looks down like he’s embarrassed. “I was counting on a swimming scholarship, so I spent more time working on that than making money.”
    “Dedication and follow through are what make a good employee,” I say. “It’s important to me that you know what it’s like to work for something, and you do.” I reach my hand across the table. “Can you start Monday?”
    Gabe takes my hand and shakes it firmly. “I can, Boss.”
    Izzy shows up with the first two pizzas, sets them down on the table, and then runs to get two more. Her dad follows her out with another two. Six extra-large pizzas to feed nine guys. Sounds about right. One last trip to the kitchen and she brings out my dessert pizza, a large stack of plates, and a bunch of napkins. She sets my food down in front of me and a paper napkin flutters down onto my lap.
    I look at it to unfold it and have to keep myself from gasping.
    We need to talk. I saw you save Gabe. I’m ready to take Travis down.
    -Izzy

     
    Chapter Nine
     
     
     
    I touch the napkin in the pocket of my coat on our way back to Andy’s car, hoping Izzy’s note hasn’t fallen out.
    She needs to talk. She saw me. All this time, and my secret wasn’t just my own. No wonder she’d been in and out of rehab. I’d pushed that day down deep inside and she’d tried to drink it away.
    And now Gabe is going to start working with me, all because Andy was being so weird and pushy and offensive.
    Enough. At least the mystery behind his actions was going to get solved tonight. I have control over that.
    “What is up with you tonight?” I ask.
    Andy shrugs and jams his hands in his pockets. “Don’t know.”
    “You were being a gigantic a-hole to Gabe and not very nice to me either.”
    He shrugs again and his phone beeps for the one millionth time, notifying him of a text.
    “What’s with all the texting?”
    Andy doesn’t say anything until we get to the car. “Her name is