Page 60 of Dangerous Attraction

"I'll bring a pot out for you in a moment."

Making my way to the red leather seat, I slide along it, then place my bag beside me before folding my arms over on the table and resting my head on them.

The side of my face is still tender from the hit my father landed, but thankfully, the red mark he left behind has now gone.

When Emery and Liam asked about it yesterday morning, I'd laughed it off and told them I'd clumsily walked into an open cupboard door. Thankfully, they believed it.

The thought of my best friends has my eyes drooping shut and my stomach rolling.

I hate lying to them, but it's for their own good.

If they knew my father was back, they'd go out of their way to try to accommodate me, and they'd likely feel guilty for letting me go back to the trailer park in the first place.

Too many years of my life have been spent depending on other people to help me, and I refuse to burden the people I love with my issues anymore.

My phone vibrates and I lift it in front of my face, cracking an eye open to look at the screen.

It takes me a few moments to read the words, and that's when I realize it's Wanda replying to my earlier text.

Wanda:

You know my couch is always available for you Pip

Smiling, I place my phone back down on the table, allowing my eyes to fall closed once again.

Wanda had messaged me earlier in the day, checking up on me and asking where I'd stayed last night, wanting to make sure I was safe.

I tried to ease her mind by telling her I'd stayed at a friend's and that I'd likely be staying there again tonight. Whether she believed me or not, I don't know, but the fact she's offering me to stay with her leads me to believe she may know I'm lying to her.

Burying my head in my arms to block out the lights shining down on me, I release a sigh as I listen to the sounds of the diner echoing through my mind.

A soft squeeze on my arm before a gentle shaking sensation jolts my body awake. I peel my eyes open, lifting my head.

Rubbing a hand across my face, I glance up at Mabel, who's smiling at me, a pot of coffee in her hand.

"Sorry, dear. I thought it was best to wake you before the morning crowd started coming in," she whispers.

My brows raise in surprise as I tap my phone to look at the time and see it's almost six in the morning.

Mabel fills the mug on the table with coffee, placing a couple of creamer pods and sugar sachets on the table.

"Thank you," I mumble, grasping the cup between my palms and groaning as the heat of it seeps into my skin. "Sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep."

She pats me on the shoulder.

"It's no bother, dear," she says. "Although I've enjoyed your company the past two nights, I think it's best for you to spend some time at home. People will be worried about you."

"Yeah, I guess," I mumble as I pour the creamer and sugar into my cup, then watch the swirling liquid. I stir it and listen to Mabel's retreating footsteps.

Sipping on my coffee, the diner slowly starts to fill with people on their morning commutes. Some only step in for a few minutes to collect drinks and sandwiches to go, while others walk inside and sit at the tables scattered around, having plenty of time for breakfast before rushing off to work.

When the sun starts rising higher into the sky outside, I finish my coffee, place some money on the table, then grab my bag and head down the hallway to the bathrooms.

Once inside, I shut myself in a cubicle and strip out of the clothes I'm wearing, swapping them with the other pair I have in my bag.

Unlocking the door, I swing it open, then walk to the sinks opposite, staring at myself in the rectangular mirror on the wall.

The cropped, long-sleeved top looks crumpled from where it was stuffed in my bag, and the dark shadow beneath my eyes has deepened.