Gone Girl 3

Chapter 24

"Thanks for picking me up," I say to Brandon as I get into his car.

"No problem, really."

We are both going to work, I suppose Shanice is already there. This is our first day and we couldn't be more excited to all work together.

Well, Shanice isn't as excited but she doesn't have any choice if she doesn't want to be homeless. Irène offered her home but Shanice rightfully rejected it.

I'm lucky I live with Derek—and I never thought it would become permanent—but I always feel bad for not helping with much. Sure, I cleaned a little but other than this I've been pretty useless.

Yet, Derek seems to love that. I can't even forget how we made love last Friday and finally said 'I love you' to him. I'm not ashamed to admit we did it again and again, in the car, in the kitchen, bedroom. I can't get enough of him.

My therapist would be so proud.

Not of the sex part. Just me admitting my feelings.

I'm growing. I'm becoming a better person.

"Are you daydreaming about Derek again?" he asks and I chuckle.

"Yes, you caught me."

"Shame on you! I'm jealous I don't have a girl daydreaming over me," he says.

"Hmm, don't tell Nicole I said this but I think you'd be better for her than Cyprian."

"Betraying your brother like that? Bad girl."

We burst out laughing. We are getting closer to the cafeteria. Derek is pretty busy today so he couldn't drive me.

"Not my brother!"

"A DNA test would say otherwise."

I scoff. "You're impossible. Why did I suggest you that job?"

"Because you love spending time with me and I'm funny."

"No, Dom's the funny one."

"This really hurt my feelings."

He parks in the back of the coffee shop and I grab my bag with the phone, keys and wallet.

Inside there is Tiara, Shanice and the manager talking.

"Finally. You are late. Never be late again," the manager scolds us and I nod annoyed.

We are late only one minute and that was because of the traffic.

And this place isn't even opened yet.

"Do I have to show y'all what to do?"

"I've had a similar job before," I say.

"Ok, help them out. Ask Tiara if you don't know something," the manager replies as he picks up his phone and goes toward the door.

"I'll be back in a few hours to check up on you," he adds before vanishing.

"Damn, he has a lot of trust in us," Shanice says as she looks at Tiara who is so much shorter than her to the point she'd have to kneel to be on the same eye level.

Trina smiles. "He's my uncle."

Oh, that explains a lot. But I guess it's better for us. Tiara seems cool.

We all put on the black apron. Brandon cleans a little around the shop and I organize the chairs.

Shanice prepares the coffee and Trina stops checking the cash registry to help her.

"How does this thing work?!"

"You've never made coffee?" Trina asks perplexed.

"No. People always make it for me."