“Ashley doesn’t know anything about my personal life.” Bella scanned the chocolates. “$2.60.”

  He pulled cash out of his wallet. “So you do have a boyfriend?”

  “No.” As soon as the word left her mouth, she wished she’d just lied. She kept her eyes on the register drawer as she counted his change.

  “So you’re not taken. And you’re not busy. You just don’t want to go out with me.”

  Bella scraped a quarter, a nickel, and a dime into her hand, then dropped the coins and his receipt onto the counter, avoiding skin contact.

  “The thing is,” Todd said, “you don’t even know me, but you’re judging me—based on what? Looks? You want some manly jock named Chad?”

  “I’m not judging you. I just—”

  “You know, you’re not perfect either.” His voice was loaded with contempt. “You’re overweight. You carry it well, I admit. You’ve got the hourglass thing going on. But you might want to rethink your standards. You’re a chubby girl pushing thirty. And you work here, so I know you don’t have money.”

  Bella cringed. There were grains of truth in Todd’s cruel words.

  “You should give me a chance.” His abruptly shifted from cutting to cajoling. “I’m a nice guy, unlike the jerks you’re probably banging.”

  Bella could have hugged the grandmotherly woman who interrupted by plunking a garish vase onto her checkout counter. “Thanks for shopping at Overstock Oasis,” she said firmly to Todd before facing the new customer. In her peripheral vision, she saw him linger for a moment before slinking away.

  A few minutes later, Nadine stopped by Bella’s register. She scrutinized Bella’s face for a second, then asked, “What’s wrong?”

  Bella leaned against the counter. “Oh, I’m fine. It’s just… Remember the guy Ashley was telling me about? The one who works with her boyfriend? He came in here to ask me out.”

  “Ah. I take it that you weren’t interested.”

  “Of course not.” Then she remembered Nadine didn’t know she was gay. This would be a good opportunity to segue onto the topic without making it a big deal.

  “I’m guessing he didn’t take it well.”

  “No. He got angry, and then he called me fat and old.”

  “Charming.” Something sparked in Nadine’s eyes. “If he bothers you again, tell me, okay?”

  Bella wasn’t sure what Nadine could do about it, but she liked the idea of Nadine looking out for her. “Okay, I will.”

  A new customer deposited two miniature gnomes onto the counter, ending the conversation. Nadine nodded a quick goodbye and disappeared into an aisle.

  Bella resolved to tell Nadine about her sexual orientation another time. She wasn’t ashamed; she just didn’t talk about her sexuality at work. But all of her friends knew, and she had recently decided that she and Nadine were friends. She’d tell her soon. No big deal.

  Chapter 9

  When Nadine arrived for her shift, she found Ashley by herself, contending with a long line of impatient-looking customers.

  Nadine caught her eye. “Where is everyone?”

  “I don’t know!” Ashley’s face was flushed, beads of sweat on her forehead. “I know you’re not allowed to work the register, but can you find someone else to come up here?”

  A few customers shot curious glances at Nadine, probably wondering what she had done to get banned from the register. One man seemed to recognize her. Nadine hurried past the line before he could say anything.

  Grady, Jason, Bella, and Kenny were standing around the table in the break room, all wearing tense expressions.

  “What’s going on?” Nadine asked.

  “We got a report from corporate,” Grady said. “This store was in the top ten percent for shrinkage last quarter.”

  Shoplifting, Bella mouthed to Nadine.

  “This has never happened,” Grady said. “We’re almost always in the bottom quarter. Folks around here don’t shoplift. This ain’t that kind of town.”

  “Damn right,” Jason muttered.

  “Clearly, there’s a new crew in Cheriville,” Grady said dramatically. “And we’re going to shut it down. Corporate sent us protocols for a high-shrinkage store, and we’re going to follow them to the letter.” He held up a page with Overstock Oasis letterhead.

  “Number one, do not leave customers unattended. Ask if you can help them find something. If they say they don’t need any help, talk to them about the merchandise. The bottom line is, keep an eye on them.”

  Nadine imagined employees dogging customers, refusing to leave them alone. Sounds like a dreadful experience for everyone. Bella and Kenny didn’t look happy with the idea either.

  “Number two, pay special attention to customers who carry large bags or purses. If anyone comes in the store with a purse bigger than this”—he held his hands a foot apart—“don’t let them out of your sight.”

  Bella and Nadine exchanged glances. Older women with enormous handbags comprised at least half of their customers.

  “Number three. Corporate is sending us a video-surveillance system. It should be here next week.”

  Great. When she’d first started, Nadine had been relieved to learn the store didn’t have security cameras. Now there would be endless footage of her working there.

  “Finally, antishoplifting signs. Corporate is sending over official signs, but until then, we’ll use what Jason found on the Google.” Grady held up a piece of paper that read Shoplifters will be prosecuted!! in blurry black-and-white text above a clip-art silhouette of a police officer wielding handcuffs. A fifth grader could have done better.

  “Any questions?”

  Kenny raised a hand tentatively. “Um, what do we do if we see someone shoplifting?”

  Jason stepped forward. “Excellent question. Officially, we’re not supposed to confront shoplifters, but I did some research on Virginia law. If y’all see someone conceal an item, we can legally detain the suspect for up to one hour while we call the police.”

  Bella frowned. “Wait. How do we detain them? Won’t they just run away? I mean, I guess we could try to physically restrain them. But that sounds dangerous.”

  “Well—” Jason said.

  Grady held up his hand. “Do not use physical force. Corporate policy forbids touching a customer for any reason. If they run, well, there ain’t much we can do.”

  Jason tightened his mouth. He’d probably been fantasizing about tackling thieves like the linebacker he never got to be.

  “All right.” Grady pointed to the door. “Back to work. Remember, keep an eye on those customers.”

  They filed out of the break room, looking morose. Just as Nadine reached the doorway, a strong hand on her shoulder pulled her back. It was Jason.

  She turned around. “What do you want?”

  Jason stood close enough that she could smell his pungent breath. “Did you know that employee theft is a leading cause of shrinkage?”

  The temptation to smack him was overwhelming. Instead, she lifted her chin and said, “Your point?”

  “Is it a coincidence that the shoplifting started right after we hired a convicted criminal?”

  She held his gaze but refused to respond.

  Jason leaned even closer. “I wonder what would happen to your probation if you were caught stealing.”

  Her stomach twisted. Fuck. If she committed a crime—or faced a false accusation—on supervised release, she could face more prison time. Images of metal bars and sadistic guards flashed through her mind.

  Jason grabbed her upper arms and squeezed, his fingers digging into her skin. Then, just as suddenly, he released her and stormed out.

  Nadine trembled in rage. How dare he touch her? Sanctimonious creep. She looked down and saw red fingerprints on her arms. The marks were evidence of assault, not that she could do anything about it.

  She turned to leave but instead whirled back around and punched a metal filing cabinet, bruising her knuckles. The cabinet was unaffected. She gave it a futile kick before she walked out onto the floor.

  * * *

  Nadine stayed in the stockroom her entire shift, slashing boxes and dumping merchandise into carts. She didn’t trust herself to take anyone’s shit without losing her composure, so the plan was to avoid human interaction for as long as possible.

  She worked until the sunlight that streamed through the small window turned orange and faded to black, leaving her to work by the light of the single hanging bulb.

  The metal doors swung open, disrupting her thoughts. Bella strode in. “There you are! Didn’t you hear my announcement?”

  Nadine brushed the dust from her pants. “What announcement?”

  “We’re closed. Everyone’s gone. Well, except you and me. It’s time to count the cash.”

  “Oh, right.” Nadine had forgotten she was scheduled to close. She collected her water bottle and satchel and followed Bella.

  “Rough day?” Bella asked as they walked to the front of the store.

  “Mmm. Something like that.” She’d decided not to tell Bella about Jason’s aggression, fearing Bella would endanger her own job trying to do something about it.

  “Me too.” Bella sighed. “Grady and Jason are obsessed with shoplifting. They kept following customers and asking them weird, pointless questions. So by the time the customers came to check out, they were really pissed off. But of course I can’t say anything.”

  They reached the checkout counter with the safe stored underneath. Directly overhead, the speaker played a peppy track that had tormented Nadine for weeks. She pinched the bridge of her nose. “God, that song is annoying. Makes me want to jam an ice pick in my ear.”

  “The worst.” Mischief sparked in Bella’s eyes. “You know, I know how to turn it off. And since no one else is here…”

  She walked over to the stereo system and dug around in the nest of wires in the back. After a moment, she yanked one of the connectors. The music stopped.

  “Bless you.” Nadine exhaled as the beautiful silence soothed her soul. “The music here is awful.”

  “You know what we need?” Bella pulled out her phone and tapped the screen. “We need an antidote.” She reached for the microphone that was used for in-store announcements, turned it on, and set it next to her phone. The opening chords of a rock song blared over the speakers.

  “Wait.” The song was familiar. “Is this—?”

  “David Bowie!” Bella laughed, swinging her hips back and forth. Her hair bounced as she moved.

  “Dance with me!” Bella reached for Nadine, shouting over the music. “Come on. No one’s here.”

  Nadine pointed to the glass doors and windows that faced the parking lot. Anyone who walked by would have a clear view of them. “I don’t think so.”

  Bella danced over to the wall and flipped a switch, killing the lights. The only light came from the floodlights in the parking lot. She said in a breathy voice, “Welcome to the Oasis after dark.” Then she twirled and gyrated playfully against a shopping cart.

  Nadine felt warmth rising up from her abdomen. Shit. Bella had no idea she was dancing for a gay woman who was enjoying it far too much. She told her body to cut it out.

  Bella danced back to the checkout counter and motioned for Nadine to join in. “Come on. You need this. I can tell.”

  Nadine moved her head and hips slightly to the beat.

  When the song ended, Bella flipped the lights back on. “Did that help?”

  “Yes. Thank you. I did need that.” She didn’t think anything could have lifted her mood, but her anger was gone. Now she was busy feeling other things. Inappropriate things. But, God, she was only human.

  * * *

  For once, Bella’s cash drawer matched the register’s total exactly. “Register’s good.”

  Nadine nodded. “Okay.”

  Bella appreciated Nadine’s nonchalance. She didn’t want to be praised like a first grader just because she counted correctly.

  After they counted and bagged the remaining cash, Bella slung her purse over her shoulder. “Ready?”

  Nadine started to follow, then abruptly stopped. “Sorry. I left my jacket in the break room. I’ll meet you outside.”

  “Cool.” Bella dug through the chaotic contents of her purse until she located the keys to the store. She stepped outside, breathing in the cool September night air.

  Someone grabbed her from the side. She started to cry out, but a wet mouth covered hers, muffling her scream. A scratchy beard scraped her face.

  Todd.

  He wrapped his arms around her, pressing his large hands into her back, squeezing her tight against him. Bella struggled, but she was trapped. She could barely breathe through the overpowering stench of body odor and cologne.

  Todd leaned forward, rocking against her, attempting to dip her backward. One hand released its grip to squeeze her ass.

  When he shifted, Bella managed to free one of her arms. She pushed against his chest, trying to get away from his mouth so she could scream.

  Someone’s arm intervened and pushed Todd off her. Bella stumbled and looked up to see Nadine slamming him into the wall.

  “You stay the fuck away from her,” Nadine hissed.

  “She wanted it! She was giving me mixed signals.”

  “Shut up!” Nadine shoved him again. His head thumped against the concrete. Nadine held him there with her forearm and her knee. “Bella, do you want to call the police?”

  Bella tried to catch her breath. “Let me think for a second.”

  She knew what the county sheriffs were like in Cheriville, having encountered them before. They were old-school, unfailingly chivalrous, but also not inclined to believe women who made allegations against men. Especially white men.

  Then she considered Nadine, the only witness. If she called the police, Nadine’s name would be in the official report, and it would be only a matter of time before reporters learned of the incident. And what if Todd accused Nadine of assaulting him? It might affect her probation.

  Bella couldn’t let that happen. “No. No cops.”

  “Are you absolutely sure? This was sexual assault.”

  The selfless concern only made Bella more certain of her choice. “I’m sure.”

  Nadine leaned in close to Todd’s face. “Listen to me, you disgusting little shit. I’ve been to prison once, and I’ll happily go back if you touch her again. Do you understand me?”

  Todd’s head bobbed rapidly.

  “Get the fuck out of here.” She released her grip, and he scampered off into the parking lot. It was over.

  Nadine turned to Bella. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m—he—” Bella leaned over and spat on the pavement. Then she gagged and spat again. “I can still taste his mouth. And the smell… My Lord. I need to go home and boil my body.”

  “Here. Let’s sit down.” Nadine gestured to the nearby wooden bench.

  They sat together, close enough that their thighs touched. Bella was still shaking, but the contact helped to soothe her.

  “Do you know him?”

  “Yeah. That was Todd, the guy who was hitting on me the other day. I probably should have been more direct. I mean, I told him no, but he kept arguing, and I didn’t know what to say.”

  “Stop that,” Nadine said sharply. “This wasn’t your fault. You said no. And even if you hadn’t, he had no right to assault you. What he did was a crime. You could have him arrested.”

  “I know.” Bella wished Nadine would drop the idea of involving the police. It wasn’t an option.

  “Why didn’t you want to call the cops?”

  Bella bit her lip. “The sheriffs here are not that helpful. And I just—they would have asked your name. It would have been in the paper. I didn’t want that.”

  “Oh, Bella.” Nadine softened. “I appreciate the thought. I really do. But I can take care of myself. Look, it’s not too late. We can still call.”

  Bella shook her head. “I don’t think he’ll bother me again. Not with you around.”

  “He better not.” Nadine touched her hand to Bella’s shoulder.

  That was all it took. Bella leaned forward and collapsed into Nadine’s arms.

  Nadine held her close and stroked her back. For a long moment, they stayed like that, alone in the deserted parking lot. The only sounds were their breathing and the buzz of the fluorescent lights overhead.

  Chapter 10

  “How’s the job?” Michaela’s badge caught the light as she leaned back in her chair, her index fingers pointed in a steeple against her chin. She peered at Nadine across the desk.

  Nadine shrugged. “It’s fine. The same.”

  “Any more trouble with reporters?”

  “Not lately. Some of the customers still make snide comments, and every so often someone tries to pick a fight with me.”

  Michaela frowned. “What do you do when that happens? You haven’t been drawn into any altercations, have you?”

  Nadine was about to shake her head, but then she flashed back to the scene in the parking lot two nights ago.

  For one nauseating second, she had thought Bella was kissing Todd back. Jealousy had sliced through her like a jagged razor. When she had realized what was happening, she’d wanted to pound that slimy creep against the wall until he hemorrhaged blood and brains. If she hadn’t stopped when she did, her probation would have been revoked for sure.

  Michaela gave her a sharp look. “Did something happen?”

  “No. I removed myself from the situation.”

  Michaela started to respond when a discordant jingle blared from her phone. “Just a second.” She answered the call. “Schwartz. Yeah? When?” She pushed back from the desk. “Wait here,” she said to Nadine before stepping into the hall.

  Nadine glanced around Michaela’s cluttered desk. She noticed a small picture frame on the side credenza. It was angled just enough for Nadine to see the photo of Michaela wearing a white suit and embracing a woman in a sparkly white dress.