Page 13 of Dark Love

That’s not a description I would have used. Eye-opening is more like it. Maybe terrifying. Though knowing there are good men in the world who will step up to protect a stranger is comforting. “Bye.” I wave at her retreating form.

“You okay? You seem really deep in thought.” Mindy leans back against the seat as we start to move again.

“It’s been a long day.” I lean my head back against the plush leather seats.

“They always are. We might seem a bit silly, but when you work where we do you need an outlet. Going to the club, drinking, and dancing recharges us. You need to find an outlet. Something that recharges you, or it’ll drive you nuts.”

This is the outlet. This job. These people are solely to recharge my mind and my heart.

“What do you think of Adonis?”

“Other than the fact that he’s gorgeous?”

She laughs. “Yeah, other than that. Every woman, in and out of the office, hasa crush on him. But he’s really good at his job.”

I can see that.

“He’s dedicated not just to the mission, but to ensuring that all of us have what we need to help others and ourselves.”

Does Mindy have more than a crush on Adonis?

“That’s why he has a standing Friday night invitation for everyone at work regardless of what shift they work to go out to dinner.”

“Why didn’t you and Diane go then?”

“Mostly because of Tac, but also the conversation can become too serious there sometimes. I need light and happy.”

Or do you need to avoid Adonis?

“We also have picnics at the park sometimes. Anywhere else there’d be backyard barbeques, but we all live in the city. No one has a big enough space for a progressive meal let alone a place to grill meat and sit on the grass. That’s one thing I miss since moving here…grass. What about you? Or have you lived in Urbium all your life?”

“No, I just moved here recently. I grew up in the suburbs outside of the city. My parents still live in the same home I was born in.”

“Wow. A marriage that lasted all this time. That’s…astounding. My mom’s been divorced four times, and after his second wife, my dad gave up on marriage altogether. I figure I’ll try the marriage thing once, and when it doesn’t work, I’ll become a spinster and collect a hundred snakes.”

“Snakes? Why not something cute and cuddly, like cats or dogs?” I could totally see myself becoming a cat lady as I get older.

“I’m allergic to both. Their fur makes my eyes swell up and my nose itch. Plus, snakes need less room and less care, both of which are super important living around here.”

A shudder runs through me. “Remind me not to visit you when you’re old.”

She laughs. “I’ll come visit you and your hundred grandchildren.”

“Not mine.” Why did I say that?

“What? Don’t tell me you don’t want to have kids. That’s like saying there isn’t a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow and that unicorns don’t exist.” She sits up almost sloshing her drink on her lap.

“You know none of those things are real.”

“Why don’t you want to have kids?”

Do I want them, or have I just accepted that I won’t? “Because what my parents have doesn’t exist anymore. People our age don’t get forever with someone. We’re so jaded and self-absorbed that forever is a pipe dream written about in fairytales and romance novels.” I should know.

Her mouth drops open.

The car comes to a stop, giving me a reprieve from this all too serious conversation. I push the door open and climb out. Limos really do need a driver to help you out. Or maybe everyone else is just more coordinated than I am. I grab the handles and pull myself out, stubbing my toe on the curb.

Mindy, who ended up refilling her glass several times, gets out without issue.

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