my seat to try and get away.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Back. Up. What do you mean, made plans? Like a date?"
"God, Amelia, don't be ridiculous. No not a date. I'm not ready for that." I shake my head "I'll never be ready for that."
"Oh, sweetie, don't say that. Benji wouldn't want you to be alone."
"Well, it doesn't really matter what Benji would want, does it? He's not here ," I shout with venom in my voice.
Unable to handle her for a second longer, I walk back to the office and grab my coat. When I come back out, she has the money bag in her hand and a sad look on her face. Since she lives close to the bank, it's easier for her to drop it off for me.
"Please don't, Amelia. I can't talk about this anymore. I am going to try to move on. To be somewhat happy. But I don't know when or if I will ever be ready to care about another man like that." I flick out all the lights and walk with her to the door. "Dalton is a nice guy. That’s it. If nothing else, maybe I make a new friend. I'm meeting him at this garage on Saturday to help him set up his office computer with what he needs. Just the basics."
We walk out and lock up and head across the street where we are both parked. "Do you want me to come with you? Are you comfortable going there alone?"
Pausing at my car door I think about that for a second. After everything, am I?
"Yeah, I think I am," I tell her.
"OK, chica. Just keep me on speed dial. Call me when you get there and call me when you leave."
"Yes, Mom." She smiles that big, beautiful, Amelia smile.
"Get over here and give me a hug so I can get going. Joey's waiting for me at the apartment."
"Oh?" I grin.
"Zip it."
We laugh, hug, and say our goodbyes. On my way home I think about the crazy day this turned out to be. I couldn't tell Amelia that I did feel something in Dalton's presence. I'm not sure what it was—it wasn't anything I ever felt before. When I was with Benji, I was always warm. He made everyone feel that way, though. I was happy, always in a good mood. Anytime I did feel down in the dumps, he would come close and it made everything better. He was my sunshine. But Dalton … I barely know him but when I look in his eyes, I know he is nothing like Benji ever was.
Once I'm home and make myself a sandwich, I settle in on the couch for a few minutes to eat. I hate getting home and going straight to be so I turn on the news and vaguely listen as I eat and look through today's mail. My head jerks up when I hear them talking about an attempted assault that recently happened.
"The assault took place on Fifteenth Avenue Friday night. If anyone has any information, please contact the police at 555-1212.
“Once again, the witness said the man had a small tattoo of a gun on his left hand. He was approximately five foot eleven and weighed 180 pounds."
I stop listening. This can't be a coincidence. This is the night I was assaulted in the same area. There were no witnesses. Except Dalton.
Chapter Seven
Marin
I would be lying if I didn't say I was nervous about meeting Dalton today at his garage.
I'm beyond nervous for some reason.
Butterflies flutter around not only in my stomach, but also my chest. I've not interacted with any men like this since Benji’s death other than Joey, Cole, and customers. This feels different, and I'm not sure if I like it. But, there's no reason to think of it as more than it is. Just me, helping out someone that helped me out. I'm interested to find out as well whether he went to the police. Other than me, there were no other witnesses besides him.
After showering, I choose some dark jeans with a tank top and a thin green sweater thrown over it to wear. It's comfy and simple. I finish up eating some oatmeal and having my coffee when I glance at the clock. Ten o'clock shouldn't be too early to go to the garage. Or, at least, I hope not. I pick up my phone and shoot a text off to Dalton.
Marin: Good morning Dalton. Would it be too early to head out to the garage
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Back. Up. What do you mean, made plans? Like a date?"
"God, Amelia, don't be ridiculous. No not a date. I'm not ready for that." I shake my head "I'll never be ready for that."
"Oh, sweetie, don't say that. Benji wouldn't want you to be alone."
"Well, it doesn't really matter what Benji would want, does it? He's not here ," I shout with venom in my voice.
Unable to handle her for a second longer, I walk back to the office and grab my coat. When I come back out, she has the money bag in her hand and a sad look on her face. Since she lives close to the bank, it's easier for her to drop it off for me.
"Please don't, Amelia. I can't talk about this anymore. I am going to try to move on. To be somewhat happy. But I don't know when or if I will ever be ready to care about another man like that." I flick out all the lights and walk with her to the door. "Dalton is a nice guy. That’s it. If nothing else, maybe I make a new friend. I'm meeting him at this garage on Saturday to help him set up his office computer with what he needs. Just the basics."
We walk out and lock up and head across the street where we are both parked. "Do you want me to come with you? Are you comfortable going there alone?"
Pausing at my car door I think about that for a second. After everything, am I?
"Yeah, I think I am," I tell her.
"OK, chica. Just keep me on speed dial. Call me when you get there and call me when you leave."
"Yes, Mom." She smiles that big, beautiful, Amelia smile.
"Get over here and give me a hug so I can get going. Joey's waiting for me at the apartment."
"Oh?" I grin.
"Zip it."
We laugh, hug, and say our goodbyes. On my way home I think about the crazy day this turned out to be. I couldn't tell Amelia that I did feel something in Dalton's presence. I'm not sure what it was—it wasn't anything I ever felt before. When I was with Benji, I was always warm. He made everyone feel that way, though. I was happy, always in a good mood. Anytime I did feel down in the dumps, he would come close and it made everything better. He was my sunshine. But Dalton … I barely know him but when I look in his eyes, I know he is nothing like Benji ever was.
Once I'm home and make myself a sandwich, I settle in on the couch for a few minutes to eat. I hate getting home and going straight to be so I turn on the news and vaguely listen as I eat and look through today's mail. My head jerks up when I hear them talking about an attempted assault that recently happened.
"The assault took place on Fifteenth Avenue Friday night. If anyone has any information, please contact the police at 555-1212.
“Once again, the witness said the man had a small tattoo of a gun on his left hand. He was approximately five foot eleven and weighed 180 pounds."
I stop listening. This can't be a coincidence. This is the night I was assaulted in the same area. There were no witnesses. Except Dalton.
Chapter Seven
Marin
I would be lying if I didn't say I was nervous about meeting Dalton today at his garage.
I'm beyond nervous for some reason.
Butterflies flutter around not only in my stomach, but also my chest. I've not interacted with any men like this since Benji’s death other than Joey, Cole, and customers. This feels different, and I'm not sure if I like it. But, there's no reason to think of it as more than it is. Just me, helping out someone that helped me out. I'm interested to find out as well whether he went to the police. Other than me, there were no other witnesses besides him.
After showering, I choose some dark jeans with a tank top and a thin green sweater thrown over it to wear. It's comfy and simple. I finish up eating some oatmeal and having my coffee when I glance at the clock. Ten o'clock shouldn't be too early to go to the garage. Or, at least, I hope not. I pick up my phone and shoot a text off to Dalton.
Marin: Good morning Dalton. Would it be too early to head out to the garage
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