My lips curl into a small smile.You want something you can fix.Something that’s yours.
I shift slightly, listening closer.
“Six p.m. tonight is perfect.”
My lips curve faintly.That works for me, too.
“Great. I’ll see you then.”
He ends the call, lowering his phone slowly.
A subtle smile curves his lips.
Something in my chest tightens.
He looks… lighter. Hopeful. Like he’s finally letting himself want something.
I watch him for another minute, memorizing the way that expression settles on him like it belongs there. Like it should have always been there.
When he goes inside, I wait a few minutes to make sure the coast is clear.
Then I ease back, careful not to disturb anything as I retreat.
I already know where I’m going next.
I circlethe block twice before parking three houses down beneath a line of low-hanging trees.
It'll do.
I kill the engine and sit there for a moment, watching the house.
With some TLC, it will be perfect.
I step out, keeping my movements casual, like I belong here. Like I’m just another passerby walking through the neighborhood.
No one looks twice.
I exhale a sigh of relief.
I make a slow pass down the sidewalk, tracking every detail of the property. The yard needs mowing. The shrubs need trimming. One of the shutters hangs slightly lower than the others. But all of it is fixable.
Making sure no one sees me, I move around the house, heading to the back. A weathered deck in need of staining. Dirty sliding glass doors in need of a good cleaning.
I walk up to them and cup my hands, peering inside. Even though it’s like looking through a rain-streaked window, I can see enough. It offers the perfect view of the kitchen and the living room.
I try to open the doors, but they’re locked.
Bending slightly, I examine it. The lock doesn’t look hard to pick. I just don’t have anything with me to do it right now.
I step back, and that’s when I spot the old, metal bulkhead doors. They’re slightly rusted along the edges. One side doesn’t sit flush against the frame.
Basement access.
I file that away and keep walking.
I round the corner and circle the house, getting a good look at it before returning to my motorcycle.
Yes. That’ll do.
