Piper hadn’t told Grace or Callum about me spending the night on her couch. She’d kept her word. I was grateful for that, but at the same time, I didn’t know how to read it.
Did it mean she was protecting my privacy, like I’d asked? Or that she wanted nothing more to do with me?
I’d dropped a few strategically subtle questions with Callum and Grace in the last few days. From them, I’d learned Piper was divorced, her ex was a waste of space, and she wasn’t seeing anyone. In fact, they couldn’t remember her dating anyone since splitting from her husband.
Interesting facts, that was all. No harm in collecting them.
Grace
Doing anything fun or exciting today?
No
Any leads on apartments?
No
Did you know you’re terrible at texting?
Yes
Fine be that way! But if I can help with anything, let me know. Please?
Don’t need you to be my cheerleader. Or my mom. Or my parole officer.
OK, grumpy. What about a good dinner? Dane and I would love to have you over again
I’ll think about it. Got lots to do
Good luck conquering the world today, but if you need me…
I know, I know. Thanks. I love you
love you
I’d already done Sunday dinner at her and Dane’s place, and it had been great. Really great, actually. Good food, easy conversation. Yesterday, it had been lunch with Callum and Zandra.
But I didn’t want them to feel like they had to take care of me or fuss over me. Didn’t want to disrupt the usual flow of their lives. I was used to navigating my days as a loner, and my reappearance in Silver Ridge hadn’t changed that.
In Seattle, I’d had a decent life. Acquaintances and occasional hookups instead of real friends. But I’d never fully settled in there. As if I’d always known I would end up back here in Colorado.
When I’d arrived in town, my plan had been to find a new gig as a tattoo artist. But I hadn’t found any tattoo shops operating in Silver Ridge, and my forays to operations in nearby towns had not been successful.
No help wanted currently, thanks.
I’d handed out my portfolio, but hadn’t heard a peep back.
Which left the idea of opening up my own place. I would need to rent a suitable location, jump through any regulatory hoops, pay for insurance and buy supplies and studio furniture.Fuck, it was a lot, and I didn’t have a ton of wiggle room in my savings.
I had to figure something out soon, or I’d be applying for other jobs. Ranch or farm hand? I could lift heavy shit and work hard, if they could look past my record. Or I could wait tables. Callum would probably hook me up, since he ran Hearthstone Brewing. I didn’t want favors, but I’d pay him back by working my ass off.
Didn’t love the idea of my little brother being my boss, though.
As for a place to live, I’d been staying at a lovely spot called the Pine Cone Motor Lodge. From the yelling I sometimes heard outside my window, the place attracted trouble. I didnotwant trouble. So I needed out of there sooner rather than later.
I was giving myself another day or two to consider my options and wait for something to pop up. But with so little happening on the job front, I’d had far too much time to think. Time to sit around and read and enjoy the scenery.
Which explained why I was jogging toward Silver Linings right now. For the second day in a row.
