Page 20 of The Afterthought

"Yeah, we can definitely do that. I bet he would even cook for us if I asked him to. We could sit on the couch and let him wine and dine us." She giggles, and it reminds me why I love her so much. She didn't even hesitate to say yes to dinner instead.

"Now you're talking. Do you think he would go for it?" I smile at her.

"I'll ask him today and let you know. Actually, I have to get going. I have to be at work in like 15 minutes." She gets up to throw away her empty cup and comes back over to me.

I stand to give her another hug, happy that we were able to figure out our issues. When it comes down to it, she is the closest thing I have to family, except for my newfound sister. Before leaving me there to finish my coffee, Wrenly promises to call me later.

I'm feeling happy and content when I look towards the door again and notice a familiar face walking inside. What the hell?

His eyes meet mine, and he walks over to me. "Looks like we have a habit of running into each other in coffee shops, huh?" He laughs.

"Are you stalking me or something?" Why the hell is the random coffee shop guy that I fucked in Massachusetts in Dune Valley?

"Definitely not stalking you. I live on the other side of town. I was actually going to ask if you were stalking me."

"Alec," the girl from behind the counter calls, and he turns to go grab his coffee from her. He must have ordered ahead. I see him pause for a moment as if he's trying to decide whether or not to sit with me, and I wave him back over. He doesn't hesitate to come over to my table and sit in the seat Wrenly just vacated.

"Alec, is that your real name then?"

A soft chuckle leaves him, and a huge grin spreads across his face. I'm still being cautious because he gives off weird vibes. I felt it before in Massachusetts, but it didn't bother me as much because I thought I would never see him again.

"It is my name, yes. Do I get the pleasure of knowing yours this time?"

I study him, trying to decide if I should tell him or not. I don't know anything about him. For all I know, he could be one of Greyson's little spies. The only way to find out is to be straightforward and ask. Fuck it. "Are you in any way associated with the Crimson Rose?"

His eyes go wide, making me a bit anxious. "Uh, definitely not."

"And why were you in Massachusetts?"

"Business," he says.

I look at him curiously. What the hell are the chances of him showing up at another coffee shop on the other side of the country? “It was all chance when we ran into each other at the coffee shop?"

"I can honestly say that I had no idea who you were when we ran into each other at that coffee shop. After all, you were the one who approached me to come home with you. I was simply getting a cup of coffee."

I take a moment to think over his words. He chose them carefully, almost too carefully. I decide he’s being truthful, though. Reluctantly, I hold my hand out to shake his. "My name is Avalynn."

"Nice to meet you, Avalynn. How have I never run into you in Dune Valley before? This town is small. I would have remembered someone as beautiful as you."

"I just moved back." I glance down at the time on my phone, not really wanting to get into my whole life story with him right now. I need to go to the police station and talk with the Sheriff. I want to see if they need to hire anyone for PI work or bounty hunting. I'm sure I can figure out the whole bounty hunting thing. "I should probably get going. I have to go talk to someone about a job."

"Do you need a job?" He raises a brow.

"That depends on what the job is." I'm not about to tell him how desperate I am for a reliable income.

"I own a club just outside of town. It's called Temptations."

"That sounds like a strip club. Not exactly the kind of work I'm interested in, but thanks anyway." I push the chair back and stand up. “Sorry to cut this short, but I have to go.” I turn and take a few steps in the direction of the exit.

"Wait." He reaches out to grab my wrist to stop me, and I see red.

"Don't touch me." I rip my arm out of his grasp and keep walking. Ever since that incident a few years ago, I’m not keen on strangers touching me. We had sex, but I still barely know him.

"I need a bartender, not a stripper," he calls out, and I stop in my tracks. I turn back to face him.

"A bartender?"

He closes the distance between us and reaches into his pocket to pull out a business card.

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