Road to Peace by Piper Davenport

work for you depending on the level of nut driving?” I gasped as soon as the words were out of my mouth. “Sorry, that just sounded very, very wrong.”
    “I love it.” Hatch laughed. “Fuck, you’re refreshing.”
    I took a large sip of wine.
    “Cricket’s always been a bit of a wild card,” he said, giving me time to compose myself. “She’s goin’ to school and payin’ her own way. She’s been workin’ for a club downtown, but it’s not the safest gig, and she’s got issues with an ex stalkin’ her, so I needed to shut that down for a bit. Keep an eye out.”
    “It’s good she has you.”
    “I’d love it if you’d tell her that. Right now she hates me.”
    “How old is she?”
    “Twenty-four.”
    “So, old enough to be an adult, but still young enough to get into trouble.”
    He nodded.
    I smiled gently. I remember feeling like her. “Are you close to your parents?”
    “Story for another day,” he said.
    “Oh,” I whispered. “Sorry.”
    “Don’t be sorry. I’ll tell you about it one day,” he promised. “Just havin’ a good time and don’t want to ruin it.”
    That didn’t really make me feel any less like a heel, but I let it go.
    “Shit,” he hissed and fished his phone out of his pocket, scowling at the screen. “Sorry. Somethin’s up. I’ll be right back.”
    I nodded and he stepped outside. I watched out the window as he paced, his phone to his ear. When he pinched the bridge of his nose, I could tell something was definitely up and our night was probably coming to an end. I waved the server over and asked for the check.
    We’d both finished our meals so there was nothing to box up, which helped. I took a final sip of my wine just as Hatch walked back to the table. “Gotta head out. Emergency with my sister.” He pulled out his wallet and slid a hundred and twenty into the leather folder.
    “Oh, okay.” I rose to my feet and grabbed my purse. “I just need to hit the ladies’ room, so I’ll say goodbye here.”
    He shook his head. “Got time to walk you to your car, Sunshine. I’ll wait.”
    My mind whirled as I rushed to the loo and met him back at the side door of the restaurant.
    “You valet?” he asked.
    I nodded, rubbing my arms as we walked outside, the early evening suddenly chilly. Without saying anything, Hatch shrugged off his leather jacket and slid it over my shoulders. I pulled it tighter around me. “Thank you.”
    His hand found its way to my back and I wrestled with the feeling of uncertainty and comfort at the same time. In that moment, I realized this man would be a danger to my heart and I needed to shut him down.
    I handed the valet my validated ticket and he jogged off to get my car. When he returned, Hatch handed him a folded bill and held the door for me.
    “Thanks for a lovely dinner,” I said, my heart breaking a little as I knew this would be the last time I saw him. I slid off his jacket and handed it to him.
    “We’ll do it again.”
    “Hmm-mm,” I murmured, biting the inside of my cheek to keep from saying too much.
    He drew his eyebrows together, but his phone rang and I could tell he wasn’t happy to be interrupted. He kissed my cheek and waited for me to slide into my car. I got the hell out of there as fast as I could; obeying the speed laws (sort of), and headed straight to Ali.
    I pushed open the front door and Ali met in the foyer, opening her arms and pulling me in for a motherly hug. I fell against her, keeping my tears at bay, but feeling pretty pathetic all the same.
    “That bad, huh?” she asked, rubbing my back.
    “I’m just glad it’s over and I never have to see him again,” I admitted.
    “Come inside. You look like you could use a drink. Want a Screwdriver?”
    I gasped, my heart racing. “Ali, you’re not supposed to be mixing alcohol with your meds. I thought you promised Ryan you’d get rid of everything.”
    Alison and alcohol never mixed, but Alison and alcohol and meds were a lethal