Beyond the Thrill (Happiness & Other Chores Book 2) by Katarina Mayer

Author:Katarina Mayer [Mayer, Katarina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Katarina Mayer
Published: 2021-10-19T16:00:00+00:00

15

“I need to find him,” Val started without a greeting.

The waitress wasn’t dressed in a garbage bag today. She was all in black, very unlike her image the day before. A tight T-shirt and jeans showed her flat figure. “May I help you?” she asked over the noise of the coffee machine.

There was no one around; the restaurant was about to close. It had taken a while for Val to give up on her search for Hannah and Gernot at the racetrack. She had tried to call Hannah, but with no success. She had considered visiting Alyona to get in touch with Laura, but she had no recollection where the manor was.

In the end, Valerie had hitched a ride with a woman and her young son, who liked to watch horses. She had almost suggested to the woman that a ranch would be a better environment for a child. She had remembered Hannah’s comment about her judgmental nature and stopped herself. The boy had wanted Valerie to play with him, so she introduced him to a game she used to play when Peter was little. It was Peter’s idea to invent what superpowers they would like to have. Peter had always advocated for teleportation while Valerie wished for time travel.

The one-hour ride from the racetrack had drawn out, almost doubling, with the boy needing a pee break, the woman taking her ex’s phone call while pacing at the side of the road, and a spilled juice accident that needed immediate attention. All the while, the woman had talked and talked, and Valerie had wished she could teleport.

“Don’t pretend you don’t remember me.” Val leaned over the countertop. “You need to take me to him or give me his address.”

“Oh, you were here yesterday and your friend gave us a great review.”

“What?” Valerie was too exhausted and agitated after literally losing all her friends in the span of a few days. “Never mind.” She shook her head. “Julian—where does he live?”

“Julian hasn’t been here since the day before yesterday. He’s probably having fun with that woman.” She didn’t even try to hide her contempt. “Or searching for that treasure of his.” As she talked, she started wiping down the counter, practically pushing Val’s elbows away.

Val stepped backwards but didn’t let go. “Look, woman to woman, it’s obvious that Julian isn’t only a customer to you. My friend is missing. Actually, two of my friends are missing, so I’d appreciate your help. Or do you want Julian to get mixed up with the police?”

The girl slowed down her circular movements, polishing the counter now as an accessory to thinking hard. Based on her expression, it could go either way, and Val sure hoped she would decide to help. She remembered the banknote that motivated the girl before and started opening her handbag.

“Okay, okay!” The girl startled Val with extended arms as if protecting herself. What did she think I was pulling out?

“Look, I don’t know the exact address. I’ve been there a few times, but it’s not like I know the street number.

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