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“It will go quicker with help, and I need to take my lunch break.”
“Are you sure?” I asked.
He used the sponge on the top half of the window, where I couldn’t reach. “I want to help.”
That was the thing about Colton: he always did the right thing. He helped out when asked. He took care of the people he cared about. Was I included in that?
We worked quietly together until the window was sparkling, and there was no evidence of the paint.
I dropped the sponge in the bucket. “That’s better.”
I wanted to head home, climb into bed, and pull the covers over my head.
“I’ll take these to the back.”
The sun was warm, so I sat on the bench by the store, wondering why this was happening to me.
I stood when Colton returned. “Headed back to work?”
“I need to get back, but I told Kayla to close for you. Why don’t you go home and rest?”
“I’d like that.”
“It’s not far. I’ll walk you.”
“Let me grab my stuff.” I ducked inside, checking with Kayla that she could work the hours before meeting him back on the sidewalk.
We walked the short distance in silence. At my door, Colton said, “I need to get back, but don’t worry. We’ll figure this out.”
“I don’t know why it’s bothering me so much. When it was on the side of the building, I thought it was a kid who just needed an outlet. Then the store was broken into, and that was a lot scarier. Now, doing it in broad daylight, it feels personal. Usually, I can see the good in a situation. I can empathize that whoever this is doesn’t have guidance and support at home. There’s something they’re going through that I don’t understand. Why can’t I this time?”
“Because you don’t feel safe. You feel singled out. Threatened even.”
“Why me?” I’d never felt more vulnerable.
“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out. Go inside. Maybe take a nap. I’ll see you tonight?”
“Oh, right. Dinner.” I’d completely forgotten.
He rested his hand on my arm. “Come over. I’ll cook for you.”
“We do need to plan the fundraiser.”
He nodded. “You can take a break from everything else.”
“That would be good.”
He kissed me softly on the lips. “I’ll see you tonight.”
I unlocked my door and headed inside. Lying down on my bed, I did breathing exercises to find my equilibrium and center myself. It didn’t work like it usually did. Instead, I felt more unsettled and almost panicked that my usual relaxation techniques weren’t working.
Sitting on my yoga mat in my usual position, I tried again, finally putting on a guided meditation to help. Afterward, I lay down, easily falling asleep. I woke with a start, and the room was dark.
I needed to get to Colton’s. Showering quickly, I stopped by a local wine store and then drove to the address Colton texted me. He lived on the outskirts of town in an older community with mature trees and basketball nets in every driveway.
It was different from the historic area but still very much Colton.
As I parked in his driveway, he opened the front door and stood on the porch. In jeans and a tee, he looked solid. A force to be reckoned with. Moving toward him, I felt buoyed being near him. Maybe I was right, Colton was one of the things that made me feel better, safer, and more secure.
