SS:TIE 005

Rey feels oddly safe in a big-box hardware store. It isn’t exactly quiet, but it’s rarely what she would call crowded. The bright lights, open spaces, and vague smell of oil and lumber all feel familiar and welcoming. Rattling carts and the beeping of forklifts make for a gentle ambience compared to some of the places that she’s been.

It’s late, and she stands there, thinking about what happened.

Bad intel from Glynda is a reminder that no matter how hard she works and how careful she is, unexpected things can still happen. Lotte’s reckless behavior is a reminder that even when people vouch for someone, that doesn’t mean as much as Rey wishes it did. Making moves on the street is about spotting opportunities and making the most of them. That means patience. Patience is a rare quality in the people who gravitate toward this line of work.

She folds her arms, gazing at the rolls of plastic sheeting.

Chica is upset; Rey can tell. Leaving witnesses and letting Lotte walk is the opposite of tidy. On the other hand, nothing brings heat like bloodshed.

Only the blood has already been shed; Lotte did that. It can’t be taken back. It’s time to think about lying low or relocating, but Rey already has a job lined up. She didn’t expect this little rip-off on the eastside to make a splash. Resources are committed, and the others are expecting a payday. She can’t ruin that.

And she agreed to that meet tomorrow. Lora’s always been solid. Might as well hear her out.

SS:TIE

There’s a diner in Coconut Grove that’s a little old-fashioned, never crowded, and Rey has never seen a cop in it. She sits at the counter and doesn’t think about the plastic in the trunk of her car. She has not decided to take care of Lotte on her own, and she’s not even seriously considering it. It still nags at her.

She hasn’t touched her tiramisu or her beer. She’s not sleepy despite the late hour.

Plenty of seats are open, but a woman in her twenties takes the one beside her. Her hair is dark, and it’s a good dye job, but her roots betray her true red color. She has some natural prettiness, but she’s visibly tired, and something about the way that she carries herself makes her seem beaten down.

But she smiles warmly at Rey. There’s a friendly openness in it that takes Rey all the way back to college. She was never the bubbliest girl on the campus, but there were plenty of them around who’d been sweet and friendly by nature. It had seemed different back then, before the pressures of paying bills and fighting for a career started draining all of that away, even from people who had never gone to war.

“Something you need?” Rey asks.

The girl’s smile falters. “I, uh, I was gonna try to talk to you. But I don’t have to. If it’s a bad time.”

Rey hesitates, annoyed. Then she shakes her head. “Sorry. I’m sorry. Hi. I’m Rey.”

The girl looks relieved. “Kayla.” She offers her hand, and Rey shakes it. “I just always see you at the store. And I know it’s nosy, but I was just curious about you.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. I see the watch, I see the shoes. You have money. You’re beautiful. But you’re in a fucking Lowe’s all the time and then you’re sitting by yourself in here. Just makes me curious. Maybe that’s rude. I’m sorry.” She shrugs. “And you look familiar.”

“I do?”

“Yeah. You ever been to a little town called Gurlberg?”

Rey takes a deep breath. “Yup.”

“I knew it.” Kayla bumps her fist on the table. “I knew I’d seen you somewhere. God, I don’t remember exactly where. Must’ve been at UFG. You must’ve played sports.”

Rey picks up her beer and nods. “You?”

“No sports. I dropped out.”

Rey snorts. “So did I.”

Kayla’s eyes widen. “For real?”

SS:TIE

Kayla lives in a humble studio. It’s not as bare as Rey’s house on the beach, but it doesn’t feel very lived-in. Rey’s first impression of Kalya was that she was just the adult version of the girls that Rey had for breakfast in college. By the time she realizes that’s wrong, she has her hands full. Rey did notice Kayla at Lowe’s once or twice, smiling or helping people with paint. The blue apron that she wears at work does a lot of work toward hiding how busty she is.

Rey gets Kayla out of her clothes quickly, and just as quickly learns that for all her boldness, Kayla knows little about pleasing a woman. That’s all right; it’s never been Rey’s style to let someone else lead. Kayla melts in Rey’s hands and returns her kisses enthusiastically, first with Rey’s knee between her legs, then her fingers. Kayla has the sort of loud voice that makes people curse thin walls, and she’s so sensitive and hungry for touch.

Rey effortlessly brings Kayla off, and while Kayla’s in no state to reciprocate, Rey is perfectly content to watch Kayla’s voluptuous body in the throes of pleasure. Sucking her plump nipple and thrusting fingers into her draws such passionate cries from her that the sounds themselves tickle Rey between her legs.

Kayla’s pretty in daylight, but naked and spent in the sheets in the moonlight, she is beautiful.

Rey admires the view for a long time. It must have taken some courage for her to approach Rey as she had tonight. She reminds Rey a little of a girl that she knew in her brief time at CCL.

Kayla catches Rey’s hand as Rey is about to slip out of bed.

“I thought you were sleeping,” Rey says quietly.

“Do you have to go?” Kayla asks.

Rey hesitates, and Kayla immediately lets go.

Kayla looks intensely ****. “Sorry. I’m not trying to be clingy or come on too strong or whatever. I promise I’m not a psycho, I just—I’m really homesick. Or, I don’t know if that’s even the right word. I just—would you just stay and talk to me a little? About Gurlberg? For just a little while?”

Should Rey stay or go?