Page 295 of Bitter’s Sweet

“Thank you.”

She removes her gloves.

“So?”

I know exactly what she means.

I look at Raven, at my work, at the room, at the tools that no longer feel foreign in my hands, and at the School of the Dead beyond the doorway.

I think of Mama telling me normal was boring with witnesses.

She would have loved this place.

She would have stolen Sheriff.

She would have flirted with at least one biker just to annoy me.

I smile.

“Yes.”

Mercy goes still. “Yes what?”

“I want the permanent place.”

Her face lights, then immediately rearranges itself into professionalism because apparently enthusiasm is taxable.

“Good.”

“That is all I get?”

“You want a sticker?”

I laugh. “Bitter said you asked him that.”

“Bitter talks too much.”

“I thought we established that.”

Mercy takes my hand only after I turn it palm up.

“I mean it, Sweet. You're talented.”

Emotion rises too fast.

“Thank you.”

“You'll work hard.”

“I know.”

“You'll make mistakes.”

“I know.”

“I'll tell you when they suck.”

“I assumed.”