Page 55 of Far from Destined
I snorted at that. “We’re all closed up here. I have a few more things to work out in the back, but you can head out if you want.”
Pop shook her head, folded her arms over her chest, and leaned against the doorway. “Nope. I don’t think so. You know the rules. No one’s allowed to be here alone.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” I grumbled.
“You’re only saying that because you feel like you’re inconveniencing me. I know you’re worried about my safety just as much as you’re worried about everyone else’s—other than yours.”
Feeling ashamed, my cheeks reddened. “I just hate the idea that he could come after you because of me.”
“You hold on right there. The only reason he would come after me is because ofhisissues. You have nothing to do with it, other than him fixating on you. Don’t worry about me. We are going to stay here together. The place is locked, and when you’re ready to go, we will head out.”
“Actually, if you need to head home, Pop, I can walk you to your car, then stay with Dakota while she finishes up.”
Pop and I froze before we spun around on our heels to look at Macon standing in the doorway, his hands up, the keys that I had given him dangling from his fingers.
“Shit, I didn’t mean to scare you. I could have sworn you guys heard me. Or even saw me on the cameras.”
I looked down at the monitors and did indeed see him. I probably should have noticed him walking closer.
“I’ve been so stuck in my head that I’m acting like an idiot. I’m one of those people that the viewers scream at in a horror movie to look behind them or to not go down the stairs or lock themselves in the basement. The dumb blonde that gets murdered like in the first scene before they even show the title credits.”
Pop burst out laughing, and Macon just gave me a look.
“What?” I asked.
“That was very specific. I feel like you have had this dissertation on horror movies and the way that we portray women in them before.”
“It’s true,” Pop said. “Don’t even get me started.”
“One day, I’d like to hear it,” Macon added. “However, the place is locked, and I’ll get you to your car safely, Pop. You can stay right here, Dakota.”
“I don’t think so,” I said. “I have some more work to do, and Joshua is at a sleepover. I can walk you out together, and then come back in.”
Macon nodded. “Sounds good. Joshua stopped by here earlier to say goodnight, right?”
I smiled, my heart growing two sizes at the thought. “He was so cute and excited. He can’t wait to tell them all about Mama Cat and her babies.”
Macon winced. “I think we named her Mama Cat. My grandfather had a cat up in Oregon named Mama Cat, actually. A wild feral that hated me. However, it looks like the new Mama Cat has a name.”
I shook my head. “Either that or we’ll make something work.”
“Oh, you guys are too cute.”
I glared at Pop and then grabbed my phone. “Come on. We’ll walk you to your car. I have to stay here and finish up the last couple of things that can’t be done at home. If I didn’t, I would head out for the day with you.”
Pop studied my face. “Just stay safe. And I want to hear all about Joshua’s sleepover.”
“I can’t believe my baby boy is big enough for a sleepover,” I said, and Macon wrapped his arm around my shoulders and kissed the top of my head.
“Well, he’s still going to come running to you for a long while.”
“Six just seems too young.”
Macon shrugged. “It’s with his best friend, and I have a feeling the other boy’s mother has already been texting you.”
“Every twenty minutes with pictures. They’re adorable.”
“Make sure you show them to me, too,” Pop said.