Page 27 of Safe With Me

That was something else I’d have to fight against, but I’d start with leaving my apartment tonight and attempting to be social with my new neighbors, worrying about addressing any long-term damage later.

“How was Mary doing today?” Jake asked as I settled back at my desk. “Not sure if you know this yet, but she’s the main gossip line in this town.”

I laughed as I unwrapped my sandwich. “I always feel like she’s watching me to see if I’m doing anything wrong.”

“That’s because she is,” Jake said with a chuckle. “Trust me. I bet she has files on everybody in the kitchen. She’s not a bad lady. I guess gossip keeps her going. She’s owned that coffee shop since I was a kid, and I don’t see her retiring anytime soon.”

“I’m sure,” I said after my first swallow and held back a moan. Gossip queen or not, she made a damn good sandwich. “I ran into Mike there.”

“He usually stops there when he’s on duty. He’s not working the summer festival this year, but he’ll be there. You should go. Good way to meet everyone who hasn’t been in here yet.”

“Claudia told me I didn’t have a choice.”

“Then you better go.” Jake laughed. “So, how are you liking it here so far?” He leaned against the desk next to me. “I mean, you’re doing a great job, but I don’t think you’ve really met anyone yet, right? Other than me and my son. Peyton wants to have you over for dinner one of these days.”

“Oh, that’s sweet. Thank you. I’m good, but you’re right. It’s time that I get out and meet some more people other than the ones who come through here and whoever I happen to see at the coffee shop. Mike was happy I agreed to go, too.”

I thought of what he’d told me about his parents. Whenever Mike stopped in, the love between father and son was so evident, it made me feel even worse for what Mike must’ve gone through as a kid, and what Jake had had to deal with when Mike’s mother was trying to poison his son against him.

“I’m sure you see a lot of Mike since he lives around the corner from you.”

“I do seem to bump into him everywhere lately. He’s been very sweet and helpful. He even hung up some pictures and put together a dresser for me. He said you taught him well.”

“I’d like to think so.” Jake’s smile turned wistful. “Mike is a good kid. Well, he’s not a kid, even though he’ll always be one to me. I worry about him being a cop, but it’s what he wanted to do so I try not to think about it.”

“I would think being a cop here isn’t so bad. If he were a cop back in Philly, I would understand your concern, but I haven’t even heard any sirens since I moved here.”

“You’d be surprised,” Jake said, his smile fading. “You’re right. It’s a good, safe town. But small towns aren’t just festivals and nosy neighbors. Since I grew up with the police chief and he’s my best friend, I know more about what goes on than others do.”

He stilled, holding up a hand when he noticed my widened eyes.

“I’m not trying to scare you. It’s a great place to live and much different from a big city. Keith works to keep it safe, but knowing that my son is mixed up in all of that makes me a little uneasy sometimes.” He shrugged. “But that’s my problem. He’s happy, and that’s all that matters. Most parents think like that. As long as our kids are happy, we don’t mind how it eats away at us on the inside.”

He laughed and headed back to his desk. I smiled and bobbed my head as my throat scratched.

I wished my parents cared if I was happy. I’d spoken to them only a couple of times since I’d arrived. They’d asked about my job and how big my apartment was but not anything else.

The only family who I truly believed cared if I was okay and safe was my cousin, and we spoke a few times per week. I’d been alone for longer than I’d realized, even before I’d moved here.

So tonight, I’d leave my apartment, meet some people, and maybe start that new life I’d imagined, without letting the old one hold me back.

6

LILA

With most ofthe town clustered on one long road, Kelly Lakes didn’t seem so small. It was still nothing like Philly, especially after one of our teams won a big game and everyone would flood the streets, flanked by enough cops to keep them contained.

Still, this festival crowd was dense enough to unnerve me as I approached. The booths had already been set up on the street when I’d left work, but I hadn’t expected it to be so packed.

I guessed Mike was right. Kelly Lakes liked to party.

I made my way through the crowd to the entrance of The Pour House. I hoped Claudia was inside since I’d never be able to find her on the street, but I’d go inside for a breather and start looking for her there.

I was just another body trying to make their way through a crowd, but being alone amid all these people I didn’t know made me feel very exposed and vulnerable, something I hadn’t had an inkling of since I’d moved. I gave a tentative smile to the puzzled faces searching my gaze as I pushed past them.

The day hadn’t cooled off much as the sun dimmed, and I welcomed the blast of cold air as I stepped inside the bar. As I scanned the space, Claudia’s unmistakable cackle wafted acrossthe floor. I let go of a long, relieved exhale and set out to find her, sifting through the crowd and wedging myself into an opening at the counter wide enough for me to lean over.

Her eyes lit up when she spotted me and rushed over.

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