Page 34 of Alien Dragon's Bride

Chapter 19

Megan

It wasn’t dawn yet, not that the time mattered any to Megan because she hadn’t been able to sleep. She pushed out of bed shaking her head at the massive blankets twisted like pretzels behind her.

Several things she needed to do today, including opening for the diner and letting them know she’d be moving to part-time, was find a lawyer to go over Levx’s contract and visit her dad. She showered letting the hot water run longer than she normally would and doing so felt like a luxury. Her thoughts lingered on Levx and his generosity of putting money into her account in addition to paying her dad’s past due bills and any current ones. Maybe she’d take a walk before going into work…after all she needed to stay healthy if she was going to be a mom.

She cleared her throat, her gut aching at the thought it wouldn’t be her child. This was just a business arrangement…nothing more.

Still, she found herself taking time to put on her makeup and fix her hair into a loose ponytail. Dressed in shorts and a sleeveless top, she eased out the door.

A cold chill raced across her skin as the early morning air hit her. She shrugged it off and jogged down the sidewalk. Shadows appeared to grow, darkening as she ran. Was it because she hadn’t slept last night that now her mind was playing tricks on her?

She pushed her feet faster but the feeling like something chased her pressed against her breastbone. Street lights hummed. Slowing, she strained to listen for footsteps sounding after here. Nothing. But she couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was following her and the road was eerily quiet. Like someone had muted everything but her breathing and the pounding of her footsteps on the concrete.

In the distance, the sun colored the sky. Her breathing coming out in pants as she raced to the diner. At the door, her heart hammering in her chest, she tugged on the glass door.

“Hold your horses, what’s wrong with you?” Alice shuffled up to the door.

Megan didn’t breathe until she stepped foot inside, then her gasps burst out of her. “S-Sorry…I thought someone was following me.”

Alice frowned and peeked out the cafe’s blinds. “You sure you’re okay, hun? I don’t see nobody.”

“I’m fine,” Megan caught her breath, “just probably my imagination.”

“Did you run all the way here? You look like hell.” Alice locked the door behind her.

“Couldn’t sleep.” Megan let out a shudder. “Did you hear—”

“About this place closing? Yeah, I did. That’s why you couldn’t sleep last night?” Alice patted down her gray hair. “You know you and your dad could stay up at my place with me. I’ve got an extra room and a comfy couch.”

“Thanks, but I’m okay.”

Alice frowned. “You don’t have to fib to me, I know how hard you work.”

“No, I got another job or potential one.” She grabbed the ketchup bottles and started to refill them at the bar alongside Alice. “You don’t know any good lawyers, do you? I’ve got a work contract I need reviewed.”

“My second cousin Earnest works at a law firm in New York.” She untwisted the bottle she was about to refill. “Want me to send you his info?”

“Yes, please.” The sooner she got an expert to review the terms the sooner she could sign. Though part of her was nervous it was the best thing she could do for her and her father. She’d tried everything else to keep him at Memorial and this way, she’d have more time to visit with him…until she started showing…then she’d need to tell him the truth. Forgiveness was a lot easier to get than permission.

“You sure you’re all right?” Alice touched her forearm. “You still look pale to me.”

She relaxed her shoulders and smoothed her facial expression. “Yup, I’m fine. If your cousin says the new job is legit, then I’ll be a different woman in a few weeks and you’ll miss me.”

“Hun, I’ll always miss you.” She gave Megan a hug. “Now you let me know if you need anything okay?”

“Of course.” She nodded. “But what about you? What will you do for work now that this place is closing?”

“Oh, I don’t know.” Alice replaced a ketchup cap and grabbed another half-empty bottle, a secret smile on her face. “I’ve got some money saved and I’ve been dying to go to Cancun. Got pictures of it taped up in my diary for years. After that, who knows. But I’ll be okay until another gig comes along.”

“Let me know if you ever need help with anything. I can pay your bills for a—”

“You’ll do no such thing.” Alice snapped the bottle down. “If I hear you’re not taking care of yourself and that dad of yours first and foremost, I will personally come and whip you.”

Megan held up her hands. “Okay, okay.”

“That’s more like it. Now hurry up and fill the napkin holders, we gotta open this place up in less than half an hour.” She titled her chin toward the door. “One way or another you and I are stepping into our next great adventure.”

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