Easy Spark: A Boudreaux Universe Novella Read online

  Easy Spark

  Stacey Lewis

  Contents

  Easy Spark

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  The Boudreaux Universe

  About the Author

  Also by Stacey Lewis

  Easy Spark

  A Boudreaux Universe Novella

  By Stacey Lewis

  EASY SPARK

  A Boudreaux Universe Novella

  Stacey Lewis

  Copyright © 2020 by Stacey Lewis

  All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission from the author. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. All characters and storylines are the property of the author and your support and respect are appreciated. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Published by Lady Boss Press, Inc.

  Chapter 1

  Clare

  Have you ever tried to find a cheap apartment in New Orleans? No? Well, neither have I… until now. I’m sitting in Cafe du Monde on a Saturday morning using their Wi-Fi to search out apartments and trying to search for a better paying job at the same time. Why am I doing this? Because my bitch of a sister Laney decided to secretly hoard my half of the rent and utilities—like internet—for the past three months and then took off with her loser boyfriend Ellis to parts unknown with that plus the inheritance our grandmama left us when she passed four years ago.

  I was planning to use my half of the money to open a store of my own once I’m done with my Masters in Business, but it looks like that isn’t going to happen now.

  The worst part is, I should’ve known the rent wasn’t being paid, but since our landlord doesn’t pay much attention and Laney and I look enough alike, he thought he was talking to us both about it. She was pretending to be both of us, just one more lie in a sea of who knows how many. I haven’t even begun to uncover all the ones she’s told, but the more I find out, the more pissed off I get about the whole thing. I mean, I’m so mad, even Café Du Monde beignets aren’t helping, and trust me, beignets can fix almost anything. Thanks to Laney and Ellis, I have a week to figure out where I’m going to live and what I’m going to do with all my stuff.

  To get a decent apartment, I need to make more money than I currently do as a server too. It’s either that or check the local online classifieds for people looking for a roommate and hope I don’t end up with a Single White Female or sex slave situation. I don’t like girls, and I wouldn’t make it long as a sex slave. I’m way too mouthy.

  After looking at the fourth crappy apartment in my budget, I lean forward in the chair and cover my face with my hands to try and muffle the scream doing its best to come out. Why did things have to turn out this way? I love the apartment Laney and I have lived in for the past four years. I don’t want to move and start all over again. Our landlord is an idiot, but we have great neighbors, there are monthly parties and it’s just a safe place–something I’m not finding in any of these complexes. Not the ones I can afford at least.

  “Clare?” The familiar voice saying my name has me sitting back up so fast I almost tip the chair over. My face bursts into flames and I almost hope I’m dreaming.

  Please, please don’t let Savannah Boudreaux—or is it Preston now?—be standing in front of me right now.

  I slowly open my eyes and have to hold back a curse. Yep, it’s her all right. Great, just what I need today. Pasting on a fake smile, I greet her way more cheerfully than I’m feeling. “Hey, Van! What are you doing here?”

  “I’m meeting some friends…” Savannah’s words trail off as her eyes narrow on me, and I squirm uncomfortably under her scrutiny. “What’s wrong?” Before I can answer, she grabs the computer screen in front of me and turns it around so she can see it. “Clare?” Our eyes meet again, and the worry I can see in hers makes me sag in defeat.

  It’s not that I don’t like Van, I do. We were good friends in elementary through high school, but she went to college while Laney and I traveled around Europe with our grandmother and we kinda grew apart. I wasn’t the best at replying to emails or social media messages and comments, so I can’t even blame that on her. We’ve talked since I moved back, but we’re nowhere near as close as we once were.

  “Don’t worry about it, Van. I’ve got it handled.”

  She scoffs in disbelief. “You have it handled? Are you sure? Because looking at the apartments on this screen says it’s far from handled. Please tell me you aren’t thinking of moving to one of these places. What happened to your apartment?”

  I don’t want to tell her. I’m embarrassed, and I also don’t want to have to admit what happened. Saying the words out loud will make it so much worse.

  Van’s family has never had to worry about money. If this happened to her, one of her brothers or sisters would be right there to help. My sister is the one who screwed me over. I can’t go to my parents, because for whatever reason, Laney can’t do any wrong in their eyes. If I try to tell them what happened, they’ll just spin it in a way that makes it my fault and tell me I need to “own up to my responsibilities” or some other bullshit. Perfect Laney would never pick her boyfriend over her sister unless she had a good reason. Just thinking about it makes me want to roll my eyes, but I don’t. The situation is too messed up to do that.

  Savannah crosses her arms over her chest in a familiar show of stubbornness and I know she won’t let it go until I tell her the truth. Sighing in defeat, I explain. “I have to move because the rent hasn’t been paid in three months.” She gasps, her eyes widening in shock, but I push forward, wanting to get it all out at once. “Like an idiot, I’ve been giving Laney my half of all the bills and thought everything was good. Then, I came home three days ago to an eviction notice taped to the door saying we had until the end of the month to get out.”

  “The end of the month… as in seven days from now?”

  The way her voice screeches at the end of the question makes me cringe. “That’s right.”

  “That can’t be legal. Don’t they have to give you some kind of notice first?”

  I shrug. “I’m sure they do, but they have been giving notice—just not to me. Our landlord thought he was talking to both of us, but it was just Laney pretending to be me. I don’t have any way to prove that, so even if he has to give notice, I can’t really fight it since she’s not here.” Van opens her mouth to ask, but I continue before she can. “Laney skipped town with her boyfriend. At least, that’s what the note she left me inside the apartment said. I don’t know where they went or what they’re doing, but the same night they taped the notice to the door I found all her stuff gone.”

  “What are you going to do?” She looks like she’s about to cry for me.

  Her pity is the last thing I want. Gesturing towards the computer screen, I tell her, “You see it. I’m trying to find a new place, but I can’t afford much.” Admitting that is mortifying. “Since I’m trying to finish this last semester and get my MBA, I’ve only been working
part-time at a bar in the Quarter. I make good tips, but I don’t make fancy apartment tips.”

  I half expect Van to tell me she’s sorry and then go on with her day, but she doesn’t. She drops into the seat across from me and pulls her phone and a small notepad out of her purse. After unlocking the phone and typing something quickly, she sets it and the notepad on the table then looks up at me. “Okay, so let's figure out what you need to do. First, you need a job that will pay your rent, correct?”

  “Yes,” I say, dragging the word out and trying to figure out what’s going on. I’m so confused right now. Savannah didn’t come here to help me, but after hearing about my problems she’s jumping right in to solve them for me. All I can do is stare at her in awe.

  Van’s writing a book on the page in her notebook, so intent on whatever it is she’s planning she says nothing for a few minutes. Resting her chin in one hand, she studies me. “Maybe I can help with the job. Our CFO’s assistant just resigned so she can be a stay-at-home-mom, so we’ll be posting the position for applicants soon if we haven’t already. Do you have any experience doing something like that?” The offer should make me feel grateful, but instead, I find myself angry.

  “I don’t need a pity job,” I lean forward to hiss. Van’s eyes go wide and I watch as they fill with remorse, wishing I’d waited to hear her out completely. Savannah Boudreaux isn’t the type to do anything out of pity, especially if it involves the company her family has built from the ground up. My shoulders sag, and before she can apologize, I do. “I’m sorry… I don’t mean to be a bitch, I swear. I’m just…” I don’t even know how to explain what I am.

  Reaching over, she covers my hand with hers. “I know,” she says softly. “I don’t like to feel like I’m taking charity either. But, Clare, I do want to help you.” Reaching back into her purse, she drops the notebook back inside and pulls out what looks like a business card. “Call Sandy and tell her I referred you for the CFO assistant position if you want it. She’ll set up a time to go over everything and you can decide if it’s something you’re interested in.” I go to take the card out of her hand and she captures mine, squeezing it briefly. “Don’t blow it off because you think I pity you. Nothing could be further from the truth. Trust me when I say I know what it’s like to have someone who’s supposed to love you screw you over in the worst kinds of ways. I just want to help.”

  Without giving me the chance to say anything else, she stands and smiles at me, though it doesn’t reach her eyes. I can see the remnants of pain in them and wonder what caused it. Instead of looking at more of the lousy housing options I know I should be, I sit in the café for way longer than I should, doing nothing but staring down at the business card she gave me. What could calling hurt? A better paying job would solve a lot of my problems. It’s worth a shot, right?

  Chapter 2

  Clare

  After my interview with Sandy, she takes me on a tour of the building and to see the office where I’ll be working with my new boss. Part of me wonders if Savannah had anything to do with how well my interview went, but I’ve decided just to accept it, no matter how hard it is to do. My time is running out. I have a new, better paying job, but I still need to find a new apartment. If I let her, Van will probably try to help with that too. I don’t think I can do that though.

  We’re just stepping off the elevator on the main floor where the HR offices are located when the clipping sounds of high heels come towards us. Sandy immediately stands up straighter when she greets Van, but Savannah just smiles warmly at both of us.

  “So, I guess it’s safe to assume the interview went well?”

  Her question is directed at me, but Sandy is the one who answers. “Yes, ma’am. Clare will be starting at Bayou Industries on Monday. I’m sure she and Jason are going to work very well together.”

  I’m sure she doesn’t mean it the way it sounds, but to me, it sounds like she was trying to say something more than just working together. Jason is in his early fifties, so I don’t see that happening at all. I’m nearly half his age at twenty-five, and while I definitely have issues with my family, daddy issues aren’t one of them.

  “Fantastic.” Savannah is beaming at us both, and Sandy is so happy her boss is satisfied she’s practically vibrating. “Sandy, do you mind if I take Clare off your hands now? If you still have stuff you need to do with her, that’s fine. You can just send her my way when you’re done.”

  Sandy almost trips over herself she’s so eager to please. “No problem. We’re good, I think. If there’s anything else we need, I can get it Monday when she comes in.” Considering she talked the entire time we were in the elevator about drug tests and background checks, I’m a little surprised she’s blowing it all off. She made it sound like we needed to get it done immediately.

  With no way to decline, I follow behind Savannah and get back on the elevator. The longer we travel without talking, the more uncomfortable I become. By the time the doors open, I’m doing everything I can not to fidget or freak out. Is she going to tell me she’s decided this is a bad idea? No, I dismiss that thought since she seemed happy I was hired.

  Holding out a hand, she leads me down the hall and into her office, stopping to shut the door behind before motioning for me to sit. I take the seat closest to the door, expecting her to sit behind her desk, but she doesn’t. Van takes the seat beside me and turns slightly to better face me.

  “Have you found a place yet?” She’s worried about me, that much is clear. It’s so sweet that she is, especially since it doesn’t seem like anyone else gives a damn.

  I look away briefly, still so embarrassed that this is happening to me. When I meet her gaze once more, the compassion in her eyes is obvious, making me feel a little bit better. Van isn’t judging me, no matter how much I might feel like everyone is. Knowing that gives me the strength to answer without being a bitch about it. “No, no luck yet. I’ve looked at a few places, but the places I can afford, even with the much better pay I’ll get working here, isn’t enough to make much of a difference in where I’m going to have to live.” The thought makes me panic slightly.

  Savannah bites down on her bottom lip, her brow furrowing as she thinks. I know she wants to give me a solution, to solve the problem in a way that ensures I’m happy, but I’m starting to think that isn’t possible. The last apartment building I looked at, there were obvious mouse droppings in the kitchen and I’m pretty sure the landlord was planning ways to help me creatively pay my rent based on the leer he kept giving my ass. I wanted to shower three times when I left just to get the slimy feeling off my skin.

  “I have an idea…” Her voice is hesitant, and I brace myself for whatever is coming, hoping I’m strong enough to turn her down. “Okay, so if I thought for even a second you would take it, I’d offer one of the apartments we have available for visitors. Eli lived there for a while, and so did Beau. Even my friend Kate stayed there when she came down to help us out.” I start to protest, but she holds up a hand to stop me.

  “Like I said, if I thought you would accept, I’d offer.” She smiles wryly. “I know you won’t though, so I have another option.”

  I don’t want to ask, but I can’t help myself. I’m almost to the point I would think about accepting her first non-offer. “What is it?” The hope in my voice is pitiful.

  “My husband, Ben, runs a gym, one that offers self-defense classes for women. There have been lots of clients who’ve come to learn how to defend themselves from boyfriends or husbands that abused them. So many, he’s worked with a local complex to offer discounted short-term leases sometimes while these women get back on their feet.”

  My head is already shaking. “I can’t do that, Van. Please, tell me you aren’t asking me to take a safe place away from someone who truly might need it.”

  “That’s not what I’m doing at all.” Her voice hardens slightly, and I know I’m frustrating her. It’s so hard for me to take what seems like charity, especially when what I’m going t
hrough is nothing compared to what the women she’s talking about have. “Look, I already talked to Ben and he’s talked to Ralph. He has an empty apartment, one that isn’t part of the program he’s worked out with Ben. He’s agreed to let you stay there for the same discounted rate until you’re done with school and back on your feet. It’s probably the best option for you right now, Clare.”

  She takes my hand in hers, her eyes imploring me to say yes to her offer, and what else can I do? She’s right. It is the best option I have right now. I can take comfort in the fact that it will be temporary. Once this semester is over, I’ll be able to get something else, or maybe just start paying the standard rent, whatever that may be. I won’t have to work my ass off for pennies, so maybe I’ll be able to start rebuilding my boutique fund. Mind made up, I tell her, “You’re right. I’ll take it. Thank you, and thank Ben too. I won’t ever be able to repay you for this.”

  “Great,” she says with a grin. “Since you’re being so agreeable, I’ve also arranged for my brothers to help move all your stuff this weekend, so you don’t have to worry about that either. And,” she continues when I open my mouth to decline, “I’m not taking no for an answer on this either. As soon as I told Declan what you were going through, he insisted, then helped get everyone else on board. Sorry, hon, but you’re stuck with the Boudreaux’s now.”

  Chapter 3