Page 84 of The Attraction File

Perhaps the scent from Henrik’s apartment was stronger than I thought and the woman believed I was homeless.

“You have paid me more than you know.” She turned her head as a tear fell from her eye. “Today is a very hard day for me. The anniversary of the marriage to my late husband. You remind me of him when he was young. Handsome and could have had his pick of any woman, but he chose me. That woman sounds lovely, and I hope you understand that love may be easily given but it isn’t always easily won.”

I nodded. “I’m sorry for your loss. It seems to me that your husband was the lucky one. Thank you,” I glanced at her nametag, “Jackie. These are beautiful, and you are a wonderful woman.”

She came around the counter and gave me a hug.

As I left I felt like that was a good omen. That despite the hardships of life, there could be love.

I waved down a taxi and directed the driver to Evaleen’s apartment building. It was a short five-minute ride on Lake Shore Drive and after I paid the driver, I got out. Shutting the door, I noticed a man across the street staring up to the third floor of windows to Evaleen’s building.

I nearly dropped the flowers when I realized who it was.

Damien Rosen was standing directly across from me in a black leather jacket and jeans. I didn’t hesitate to make my way to him, but he turned to head north. I kept up despite his quick pace. He made a few turns and I was half a block away. Finally, he stepped into a coffee shop and I knew I had him.

When I entered the small shop, I noticed only two customers, both female and one guy behind the counter.

“Do you have a restroom?” I asked.

“Yeah, but someone is using it right now.”

That’s where he was. The coffee guy pointed to the back corner of the shop and there I stood waiting for the door to open. As I waited, I imagined how I would take him down. Sure, I was going to call the police but first, I was going to take a few swings at him.

I heard a flush and some water running. A moment later the door creaked open and I stood, the blood racing through my veins intensifying.

Something crimson popped out. And short. A girl with red hair bumped into me leaving the bathroom. “Excuse me,” she mumbled with her head down.

After she left I went into the restroom to see if there was another door or window, but nothing. I went back to the front and talked to the guy at the counter. “Did a man with black hair and a leather jacket come into the shop moments before me?”

He tilted his head back contemplating my question before nodding his head. “Yeah, dude. He just like scurried inside and back behind the counter. I went after him but he raced out the back door. Crazy.”

Fuck.

“Did the dude dine and ditch you?”

“What?” I asked.

He pointed to the flowers still in my hand. “You know, dine and ditch your date to pay for it? That’s a dick move.”

“Something like that. Where does that back door lead?”

“Just the alleyway.”

He was gone. Damien must have realized I was following him. That means he saw me. I wonder if he recognized me. I was only a young teenager when he last saw me.

I made my way back to Evaleen’s apartment, determined to get her out of that building.

Checking the front door, I noticed it was locked which made me feel a little better for her safety; but as I stood there someone came out of the building and held the door open for me. Whatever relief I felt evaporated. I could have been Damien standing here just waiting for the door to open.

I remembered her apartment from a few weeks ago and took the stairs to the third floor. There was a woman at the door talking to Evaleen’s mom.

“No, thank you, Mrs. Charles. I would love to have some of your new batch of cookies but I just started that new lemon-peppermint-cayenne cleanse,” her mom said.

I moved closer, frowning at the terrible things she must be drinking for the cleanse.

“Oh, well these would be perfect because those are the ingredients in my cookies!”

“Really? Doesn’t that sound interesting? Edgar! What a perfect surprise. Please excuse me, Mrs. Charles, but I have a guest.”

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