Page 5 of Midnight Roots

I’m not interested in Tessa in the way she probably hopes that I am, but if I’m going to go back to theCatch + Candle, then I’m going to have to brush the rust off and get ready.

Not for Cece, I’ll never do her any harm, but for the girl that I’m pretty sure has already taken Tessa’s place.

I walk around the front of my truck and pull open the driver’s side door before I reach into my jacket pocket to fish out the keys. I can’t get over how beautiful she is, and I know that’s going to stick with me while I work on Tessa. I’ll seeherface instead of the one I’m taking home, and it’ll keep my mind on track for when it’s time to go back and buddy up to her.

“You alright?” I ask Tessa, giving her a quick glance before I start up the engine. She nods, but I cantastehow nervous she is. She probably never thought I’d give her the time ofday, but now that I have, maybe she’ll realize that some of the things that one dreams of turn out to be nothing more than cleverly masquerading nightmares.

“Buckle up,” I say with a nod as I glance into my sideview mirror and then carefully pull away from the curb.

If I break my toys before I get them home, I’ll have nothing to do with my time, and I won’t be the man Cece’s new girl will need me to be.

No sooner than we pull on a main road does she clear her throat, more than likely hoping I’ll start a conversation with her. Unfortunately for her, the only person I ever have much to say to besides the kind man and his wife who helped me out when I first got here is Cece.

I run a hand over my chin before stealing a look at her, my eyes stern, and thenturn my eyes back toward the road. If she wants to babble, that’s on her.

Actually, it might be a better idea for her to get it all out now since she won’t be doing much but screaming later.

Though, it definitely won’t be the kind she’s hoping for.

I guess the least I can do is pretend to be what she’s been hoping for before I show her what I’ve always been.

“So,” I begin as I do my best to sound genuinely interested in what she might have to say, “tell me how your day’s been so far.”

It’s all the leeway she needs as she starts talking.

And I let her keep talking all the way back to my property.

I figure it’s the first and last genuine act of kindness I can do for her.

Chapter Five

Dillon

When I get back to my little one-bedroom apartment, I feel like I’ve floated the entire way here.

I reach into my shirt, slipping my fingers around the silver necklace that I’m wearing to retrieve the keys and let myself in, feeling proud of the fact that I got the job.

As I walk into the front door of my temporary little place of my own, my stomach rumbles.

I’m still hungry, but when I got to theCatch + Candle, the only thing I was really concerned about was getting a damn job.

And now that I have it, I can eat a little something more than just a pastie.

Tossing my keys onto the small, three-legged chair that I found too endearing to leave behind in the antique shop, I head into my kitchenette and straight toward the fridge.

I lean down and reach for one of the small cups of plain yogurt and the small container of cherries sitting next to it. I set the cherries down on the counter as I begin to pull off the foil lid on the yogurt before pulling open one of the little drawers to retrieve a plastic spoon.

I clear my throat as I pry open the container of cherries, then reach in with the spoon to drop some into the yogurt. It’s not the most filling meal in the world, but until I get my first paycheck, it will have to do. Besides, I’m pretty good at economizing when I have to. A lifetime of doing this has taught me what is necessary.

It hasn't always been easy. In fact, I don't remember a time when it was easy at all, but hopefully, things are turning around now thatI'm in Ironhaven. I finish my small meal and look around my scarcely furnished apartment—mostly second-hand antique furniture in the small space. Maybe I'll save up and buy a new bed, that would be great for my back.

I decide to explore a little. It's a sleepy little town, and there isn't much, but I'd like to see what there is on offer and maybe see if I can rustle up something a bit more substantial for dinner, maybe from the bargain bin.

I clean up after myself and rinse off my spoon. I pack away the cherries, and I head toward the door, picking up my clutch once more.

I don't have much left, but maybe I can get an onion and tomato and some noodles and make something with that. I still have a little bit of packet gravy from my last place in the cupboard.

I head out and walk along the alleyway that leads from the entrance of my apartment to the main street. The main street isn't much, but it's what I've got to work with. I'm determined to look at this in a positive light. I remember when I was on the bus coming in, there was a supermarket on the corner nearby. I'll just take a quick stroll there and see if they have a bargain bin or something I can shop from.