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The smells of peppermint and chocolate waft through the air when I walk in and scan the menu.
A redheaded woman greets me with a smile.
“Whatcha havin’, sugar?”
“Just a regular coffee.”
She playfully rolls her eyes as if she’s offended. “Out of all these magical drink choices I have, you order that.”
I can tell she’s joking by her tone.
Seconds later, she pours it into a to-go cup, then hands it over.
“Thank you. How much do I owe you?”
“It’s on the house.” She flashes a wink.
I thank her again, then tuck a five-dollar bill in her tip jar.
On the way back to the gym, I take a sip, but it’s too hot to keep drinking.
When I look up, I see the same black Escalade parked on the side of the road. My heart races, and I pick up my pace. If Krystal is behind this, I’m determined to find out. I tightly grip my cup and break into a jog. Twenty feet from it, the engine starts and zooms off.
“What the fuck?” I hiss, convinced I’m being followed.
When I walk inside the gym, my adrenaline courses through my veins as I try to put the pieces together. But I force myself to shake it off before my next client arrives. The lesson goes by quickly, and so do my other sessions. For the rest of the day, I’m unsettled.
The mood sits heavily on my shoulders as I walk home with my eyes wide open. I’m determined to find out who the hell is following me and why.
When I walk in, Sassy greets me with her obnoxious barking. I let her out, and she runs around until she grows tired.
I take a shower, wanting to clear my mind. When I get out, I check to see if Everleigh is home yet and then see a text from her.
Everleigh
Staying late to put up a new shipment of inventory. Feel free to eat leftovers or make whatever you want!
It’s not out of the ordinary for her to stay a few hours after close. I contemplate waiting for her, but when my stomach growls, I decide to heat some food. As I eat, my mind races with Tyler’s words. The truth of it pierces through me like a knife, and what I know I have to do nearly guts me.
Once I start yawning, I decide to go to bed. After I walk into my room, there’s a bit of hesitation, but I force myself to lock the door.
Tyler’s right.
He knows us both better than we know each other.
I lie in bed and stare at the ceiling. The last thing I want to do is hurt her feelings, but it’s inevitably going to happen. I try to push the thoughts away and tell myself it’s what I have to do before I hurt her worse.
Creating healthy boundaries and locking her out of my room and heart is the best thing for us both.
Isn’t it?
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
EVERLEIGH
Counting inventory and putting up new items typically takes me hours. Quality control is important to me, so I check every item, then steam out wrinkles before hanging them up.
Lexie volunteered to help, which is why I won’t be stuck here till midnight. She enjoys opening the boxes just as much as I do, especially since they have no idea what I’ve ordered until it arrives.
