No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

"Hey, Licia!" Jimmy grinned at me, with his face twisted in that annoying smirk that seemed permanently etched into his features. Wherever I went, trouble followed.

I forced a smile. "What's up? Get into trouble again?"

Jimmy wouldn't show his face around there unless he needed something.

Nodding unabashedly, Jimmy admitted, "Yeah, got caught driving without a license."

That reminded me of his invitation to his birthday party. The kid was underage.

"Good for you," I replied, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Yeah, cool!" He seemed immune to my venom.

I had real business to attend to and had no time to waste on him, so I turned my attention back to the officer searching for some files for me.

But it seemed my dad's records were buried deep in history as the officer's eyes remained glued to the computer screen, searching.

"What brings you here, Licia?" Jimmy edged closer to me, his curiosity clearly piqued.

"Just some errands," I brushed him off.

"What kind of errands? Need help? I know people," Jimmy started playing the hero.

I laughed mockingly. "Maybe focus on getting yourself out of trouble first."

Getting caught without a license was a big deal. Jimmy would be in real trouble if he had hurt someone.

"I'm all good now," Jimmy boasted, proud of himself.

I suddenly remembered seeing Conrad there earlier. He must have pulled some strings.

Jimmy nudged my shoulder the next second, whispering, "My future brother-in-law's tight with the chief here."

Just as I suspected, but hearing 'brother-in-law' made me choke. Jimmy was trying to get under my skin.

"No thanks!" I shot him down.

"It's no biggie. We're all family here. I'll go talk to him now," Jimmy persisted.

He and Haley were the same. They were both experts in causing discomfort.

But I was immune to their toxins and ready to fight fire with fire. "Sure, go ahead. I'll wait here."

Jimmy's smug grin finally faltered, then he laughed, "You sure?"

"If you're not embarrassed, why should I be?" I shut him down cold.

Jimmy shrugged, looking more subdued, but that didn't last long. "So, what are you digging up?"

As he leaned in, I pushed his head back. "Back off."

"Ow, ow..." Jimmy whined, although it was hard to tell if he was hurt or just acting.

"Go bother someone else. Get out of my face," I warned as I pushed Jimmy aside.

Finally, the

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"Got it!" I pulled out my phone, noticing an unread message, but ignored it to pay first.

The printer fired up, its sounds mirroring the pounding of my heart.

Soon, I had the documents, neatly stapled. As I was about to dive into them, a familiar voice echoed from behind, "Jimmy, if you cause any more trouble, I'm washing my hands of you."

It was Haley!

Jimmy always pushed the limits because he knew Haley would cover

for him. Her being there wasn't

surprising, but it had nothing to do with me. I pretended not to hear, my focus solely on the report in my hands.

But someone was stirring trouble. The ever-present thorn in my side, Jimmy suddenly yelled, "Licia, help me!"Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Before I could process whom he was calling out to, Jimmy was behind me, using me as a shield.