“Kira—
“Focus on school. Focus on college. That’s the goal, right? That’s why we’re doing all this.” I hug her tight and squeeze. “That’s why I work days and nights.” A little guilt can’t hurt, right?
She sighs. “I love you. I’m just worried.”
“I know. I love you too, Gemmy-bee. But I’m fine.”
Except I’m not fine.Not at all.
The world feels like it’s moving forward. The apartment building is getting nicer. My neighbors all have a much-needed break on their rent. Gem’s finishing her applications and getting ready to move out to college.
While I’m stuck treading water.
Stellan’s the reason I might drown. At least, I want to blame him. But I’m not totally sure it’s all his fault.
Could be that I’m too damn stubborn and he’s not as bad as I think.
He shows up early during my overnight shift. Pam gives me a meaningful look and nudges me behind the counter. “Your man’s here again. He always sits there and watches you, you know that?”
“I’m aware, thank you.”
Harry pokes his head out from the back. “Want me to get rid of him?” He cracks his knuckles menacingly. “I can handle him, if you want.”
“It’s okay, Harry, nobody wants to see you get your ass kicked.”
He disappears back into the kitchen with a laugh.
“Seriously though, I can take his table if you don’t want it,” Pam says earnestly. “He’s hot and helped you out and all, but I know that’s not always enough.”
I hesitate, looking over at Stellan. He’s not looking back. Instead, he’s hunched over his phone with his brows knit like something’s wrong.
Maybe it’s the look on his face. Or maybe it’s the fact that he’s helping out people I care about without having to be asked. “No, it’s okay, I’ll handle it.” I grab a mug and the coffee pot and march over to where Stellan’s sitting.
He glances up. His face softens when he spots me looming over his table. God, I hate this bastard so much. He’s threatening to destroy me, and I believe he’ll really do it, all while giving everyone else an enormous gift.
The message is clear:do what I say and you can have all this too.
“Coffee,” I say, dropping the mug down with a rattle and filling it.
“I see that.”
“I have a fifteen-minute break in a couple of hours. If you’re still here, I’ll drink some coffee with you.”
“That’s not dinner.”
“It’s as close as you’re going to get.”
He pretends to think it over. “This won’t lower your rent.”
“Didn’t ask you to.”
“I’ll be here.”
“You don’t have anything better to do?”
“Not right now.”
I glare at him a moment longer, trying to figure out what this guy really wants from me, before marching off.
