Page 29 of Coerced

Two new jobs, and at least a handful of new acquaintances that would hopefully become friends.

Things were looking up for the first time in more than a year. And if felt great to feel like I was finally back in control of my own life.

EIGHT

Aria

“Okay, Sasha. I’m off to work.”

I offered a few scratches to the top of Sasha’s head before running my fingertips down along her back. My cat did not respond with purrs of happiness.

Nope.

She seemed to reserve those for Paxton, and Paxton alone.

“Look, I realize I’m only the one who’s going to work to make money to support your lifestyle in our new home,” I told Sasha. “The least you could do is pretend to not have a problem with it. Plus, I’ll be back earlier today than yesterday, because I’m only working at the deli this morning and early afternoon.”

Sasha allowed me to pet her for a few more seconds before she sauntered off to find a comfortable place to curl up and snooze for the rest of the morning. It seemed Icould provide all the logic and reasoning to defend why I had to leave her every day, and she still wasn’t having it.

Recognizing there was nothing else I could do for her at the moment, I released an audible sigh, grabbed my things, and walked out of the house.

As I made my way to my car, I glanced over in the direction of Paxton’s house and wasn’t entirely surprised to see he’d just walked out his front door as well. I lifted a hand and waved.

Paxton waved back, but he didn’t continue his journey toward his vehicle. He moved in my direction, and the closer he got, the more I felt that trembling in my belly. The trembling wasn’t the result of nerves, though. It was excitement. Something about being around him, talking to him, made my heart beat a little faster.

By the time he came to a stop a few feet away, I was grinning like an idiot. “Good morning, Paxton.”

“Good morning, Aria. Off to work at this early hour?”

“I am. I presume the same is the case for you?”

“It is. I wanted to ask how your first day on the jobs went yesterday.”

I had to keep reminding myself about the type of guy Paxton was. He was this kind and compassionate man, and he cared about everyone. He’d said it himself—he wanted to be able to positively impact the lives of the people around him. There was no question he’d already succeeded in doing that with me.

The problem was that I had to try not to let myself become consumed by how good it felt to have him show me that kindness. But it was difficult.

Because I was quickly learning that it was nice to have someone who looked out for me the way Paxton did.There were no expectations from him, no demands. Paxton simply cared for the sake of caring. He was a good man like that. And I felt fortunate to have wound up renting the home right beside his.

“It was wonderful,” I told him. “I was at the deli late morning through the afternoon, and I enjoyed myself. Mallory was great, and I think it’s going to work out for both of us for the long haul there.”

“That’s amazing. I’m happy to hear it. How’d it go at The Steel Pub?”

I grinned. “Fantastic. I enjoyed the work I was doing, and I really liked my coworkers. But imagine my surprise when I realized what a small world it is. You hadn’t mentioned that I’d meet a significant other of another one of your coworkers there.”

“Oh, right. Sawyer. Yeah, she’s Jesse’s girl.”

Nodding, I replied, “And she was so sweet and welcoming.”

“I’m not surprised by that. Sawyer knows what it’s like to be the new girl in town,” he returned.

I tipped my head to the side and eyed him curiously. “Oh? I hadn’t realized she wasn’t from here.”

“She is. Well, she grew up here in Steel Ridge, but she left shortly after she graduated from high school. I can’t recall the exact timeline, but I know it was more than ten years before she returned. It was only then when she and Jesse reconnected,” Paxton explained.

“Oh, wow. So, they knew each other since high school, then?”

“Yep. And I guess they both liked each other back then, but neither one of them acted on it. They’re both deliriously happy now, considering they just got married,so even if they lost some time in the middle, they’re right where they were meant to be now.”