Page 23 of Stealing Iris

“It may not seem much to you, but knowing Dante like I do, I can tell you the situation is unusual. Again, the reason for my curiosity.”

Carol’s brake lights flood the interior, and I have to peer outside before I realize we’re home. Not a block away but alongside the darkened house, where I go in the gate.Damn. So much for not having the neighbors peeking between their curtains.

Tino hits the release button on his seat belt. He’s about to come around to let me out. Wow. Sweet, but totally uncalled for. “I’m good.” I reach for the handle. “No need to get out of the car.” It’s bad enough I zoned out and didn’t notice we pulled up to the house. I didn’t need someone helping me out of the car. “Thank you for the ride.” I stretch out a leg, sliding across the seat.

“I’ll be by at the same time tomorrow.”

Is there anything I can say to change his mind? Doubtful. “Carol brings me home Tuesdays and Thursdays.”

“Tomorrow is Wednesday,” he points out.

Are all men this difficult? I close the door, careful not to slam it as I hurry over to Carol’s car.

“You okay?” Carol twists around in her seat, trying to make sure I’m in one piece.

“Yes, I’m fine.” I glance back and wave, but Tino isn’t moving.

She puts a hand under her chin and grins. “He’s waiting for you to go inside.”

Is he? I glance over my shoulder at the high-end car. If it was Dante, would things have ended at curbside? “I guess I’d better go.” I pull away and duck back. “Thanks for playing chaperone.”

She laughs, sitting forward to buckle her seat belt. “You know, it’s kinda sweet. Him looking after you and all.”

“Yeah.” I can’t completely disagree. “But it’s still weird, at least for me.”

Carol stares at the steering wheel for a bit. “I don’t know what to say about that.”

Glad I’m not the only one.

Flipping the numbers on the combination lock, I remove the lock then push the gate open on the chain-link fence. I turn to secure it again. Neither car has moved, so I wave again, hoping this tells them I’m fine, and they can go now. Carol pulls a U-turn, ready to take off. Tino moves forward, only he stops. He’s one of those people who’ll wait until I’m inside to make sure I’m safe.

With an inward sigh, I unlock the door and make my way into the house. I’ve lived here my entire life, learned to walk along these walls, holding on to steady myself, so I don’t lose a step as I move through the darkness. In my room, I hit the switch on the base of the battery-powered lantern Dad got for the boat. It’s become second nature since I started using it two months ago, after the power was shut off. I still have water, but that may only last another month or two. I’ll have to check the mail for the disconnect notice so I can fill the tub and anything else I can find. I want to put off dragging home heavy gallons as long as possible.

The brake lights on Tino’s car dim as he moves past, while Carol takes off in the opposite direction.

Alone, finally. Now I’ll have to figure out what I’m going to do about this invitation.

CHAPTER TEN

IRIS

With Carol off yesterday, one of our slower days, I’ve been alone with my thoughts. In fact, I’ve been so distracted I haven’t pulled out my marketing book. Most of my day’s been taken up with thoughts of Dante and his kisses. Him stretching over me in the back of the truck. Even now, two days later, I half expect him to show up again, despite having told him not to. Every time the door slides open, I can’t help but look over, my heart beating in my throat. But none of the arrivals are him, and I’m starting to feel the sting of disappointment.

“Hey, you awake over there?” Carol snaps her fingers, pulling me from my daydream.

“Yeah, of course.” I manage not to blush. At least not where she can see. Luckily, my back’s to her. I’m at a display at the end of the aisle, stocking lime chips, one of our more popular items.

“I’m gonna grab a quick break to eat before I take off,” she says, locking her till. “Looks like this might be one of those days where we get going late.”

Thursdays are usually busy. You just never know if customers will start rolling in at lunch or after school lets out. But by the end of the day, both registers will have a line. Conny’s due any minute, though I’m not holding my breath. Sometimes his day off lingers and he doesn’t show up until Thursday night, if at all. Either way, he isn’t exactly missed, so I don’t say anything.

“All right, girl,” I say. “Have a good one.”

She pulls off her smock, folding it before tucking it in the drawer under the register. “Want me to bring you back something?” She puts up the Register Closed sign.

Even though I haven’t said yes since I had the money to pay for my meal, she still asks. I’m grateful, but still, I give my usual reply, “No thanks, Carol.” I’ll be dining on the last hot dog in the package and week-old bread.

The door opens and I glance over, out of habit, then go back to the box I’ve nearly emptied. “Can you tell me where to find Iris Gloria?” the guy asks.

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