leaned over me with concern. “But when you get beyond the surface, he’s caring.” I touch the bandage at my neck. “He’s kind and respectful.”
“That’s nice,” Courtney sighs, “I wish I could find a cute guy like that.”
We laugh, but Charlie pursues the topic.
“Seriously though, keep your eyes open. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my dad, it’s that guys are really good at showing girls their screensavers. Marriage and hard times are the only things that shake the mouse and reveal their true character. Make sure you do your homework on who Alistair really is.”
“I will,” I assure her. “Uncle Henry taught me a little something-something too, you know.”
Charlie smiles and rubs her hands together like a villain from an old film.
“I hope so. Because if this guy turns out to be a sicko, he won’t know what hit him.”
I laugh heartily.
“I’ll keep that in mind, cuz.”
Charlie winks. “You better.”
The girls leave a few hours later. We’ve all got work tomorrow. Plus, Charlie will be MIA most of the weekend because Dust and Ashes is making a quick stop in Belize before their world tour continues.
I prepare for bed and find that my mind is still revolving around Alistair Howard. Even though some of my questions have been answered, there are quite a few more rattling around in my brain.
Like why he randomly travels with wicked-looking daggers?
Why did he check into the hotel under a false name?
Why did he pay with cash?
I recall Serachi’s warning. The grumpy chef called Alistair ‘dangerous’. I’m starting to believe that he may very well be.
I like this guy.
Well, I think he’s hot. So, I’m incredibly attracted to this guy. But I’m not so desperate for male attention that I’m going in blind. Valentine’s Day has a way of infecting people, infusing them with this crazy desire to be a half of a couple.
That has never been me.
I might be miserably single around this time of year, but I’m not so dissatisfied that I want to walk into a dangerous situation. The way I did this evening when I snuck into a private room.
That’s never happening again.
Determined to learn more about Alistair, and this time for less creepy-stalker-related reasons, I boot up my laptop. While I’m waiting for the machine to load, I set my kettle on the stove and prepare a cup of tea.
While the water warms, I plug in my password and log onto Google. I type Alistair’s real name into the search engine and am nearly overwhelmed by news articles.
TRAGIC DEATH OF COUPLE IN COUNTRYSIDE
FIRE BURNS TWO, LEAVES TODDLER AN ORPHAN
I quickly slam the laptop closed. Shame creeps up my back and secures its perch on my shoulder as I realize what those words mean. Poor Alistair. I wish I hadn’t prodded into his personal life.
Someone’s tragic past isn’t any of my business. I admit I might have not been so sensitive had it been some random person that I didn’t know.
But this is different. If Alistair wants to tell me the details of his parent’s death, then it should come from him.
I manage to shove the computer away before my curiosity overpowers my decency. The tea is a welcome distraction as the brief revelation parades through my mind.
What a terrible way to lose your family.
No wonder Alistair moved around a lot. I could only imagine how hard it must have been for him to go through life without his parents.
Growing up the child of a divorced couple was hard, I’m not gonna lie. Like all the other kids who have to watch their families break apart, I struggled with insecurities. Was it my fault? Could I have held my family together?
In the end, my parents did their best to reassure me of their love. It was not my fault (although it took me years to realize it). I didn’t have to carry that weight.
Through it all, I had two parents who cared deeply about me. And when my mom remarried, I had three. My mom and dad weren’t together but at least they were alive. I
“That’s nice,” Courtney sighs, “I wish I could find a cute guy like that.”
We laugh, but Charlie pursues the topic.
“Seriously though, keep your eyes open. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my dad, it’s that guys are really good at showing girls their screensavers. Marriage and hard times are the only things that shake the mouse and reveal their true character. Make sure you do your homework on who Alistair really is.”
“I will,” I assure her. “Uncle Henry taught me a little something-something too, you know.”
Charlie smiles and rubs her hands together like a villain from an old film.
“I hope so. Because if this guy turns out to be a sicko, he won’t know what hit him.”
I laugh heartily.
“I’ll keep that in mind, cuz.”
Charlie winks. “You better.”
The girls leave a few hours later. We’ve all got work tomorrow. Plus, Charlie will be MIA most of the weekend because Dust and Ashes is making a quick stop in Belize before their world tour continues.
I prepare for bed and find that my mind is still revolving around Alistair Howard. Even though some of my questions have been answered, there are quite a few more rattling around in my brain.
Like why he randomly travels with wicked-looking daggers?
Why did he check into the hotel under a false name?
Why did he pay with cash?
I recall Serachi’s warning. The grumpy chef called Alistair ‘dangerous’. I’m starting to believe that he may very well be.
I like this guy.
Well, I think he’s hot. So, I’m incredibly attracted to this guy. But I’m not so desperate for male attention that I’m going in blind. Valentine’s Day has a way of infecting people, infusing them with this crazy desire to be a half of a couple.
That has never been me.
I might be miserably single around this time of year, but I’m not so dissatisfied that I want to walk into a dangerous situation. The way I did this evening when I snuck into a private room.
That’s never happening again.
Determined to learn more about Alistair, and this time for less creepy-stalker-related reasons, I boot up my laptop. While I’m waiting for the machine to load, I set my kettle on the stove and prepare a cup of tea.
While the water warms, I plug in my password and log onto Google. I type Alistair’s real name into the search engine and am nearly overwhelmed by news articles.
TRAGIC DEATH OF COUPLE IN COUNTRYSIDE
FIRE BURNS TWO, LEAVES TODDLER AN ORPHAN
I quickly slam the laptop closed. Shame creeps up my back and secures its perch on my shoulder as I realize what those words mean. Poor Alistair. I wish I hadn’t prodded into his personal life.
Someone’s tragic past isn’t any of my business. I admit I might have not been so sensitive had it been some random person that I didn’t know.
But this is different. If Alistair wants to tell me the details of his parent’s death, then it should come from him.
I manage to shove the computer away before my curiosity overpowers my decency. The tea is a welcome distraction as the brief revelation parades through my mind.
What a terrible way to lose your family.
No wonder Alistair moved around a lot. I could only imagine how hard it must have been for him to go through life without his parents.
Growing up the child of a divorced couple was hard, I’m not gonna lie. Like all the other kids who have to watch their families break apart, I struggled with insecurities. Was it my fault? Could I have held my family together?
In the end, my parents did their best to reassure me of their love. It was not my fault (although it took me years to realize it). I didn’t have to carry that weight.
Through it all, I had two parents who cared deeply about me. And when my mom remarried, I had three. My mom and dad weren’t together but at least they were alive. I
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