Page 79 of Beauty and the Beard

Another slice of silver on this shitty day.

Chapter 23

Leaf

Why the hell does everything happen slow when you’re in a hurry?

My flight arrived late, now I’m stuck in traffic. When I chose a driving service instead of a rental, part of the hope was that it would get me to Sasha faster. So badly I wanted him to find me outside the courthouse, waiting. Because of my late arrival, I’m going straight to his place now. But this traffic stoppage is bullshit.

After texting when I landed, he’d acknowledged the message with a heart. Normally that wouldn’t worry me, but he’s been so quiet for the past two days. I need to hold him and see for myself that he hasn’t retreated further into himself. For the rest of my life, I’ll tell him how amazing he is every day and I want to start now. No, I wanted to start two weeks ago.

“Any idea how much longer we have to go?”

The driver catches my gaze in the rearview mirror.

“Do you want that in distance or time?”

“Both.”

“It’s downtown traffic. Commuters start early to head home. Driving we’re at least twenty minutes, maybe more, because there’s a construction zone ahead. How well do you know the city?”

He reaches for his phone and taps while I answer.

“I don’t. It’s my first time.”

“If you want to walk, I’ll draw you a map and you’ll probably get there faster.”

“Really? It’s safe where you’ll send me?”

Not that I’m afraid for my safety, but I don’t need to risk an injury when Sasha needs me.

“Yep. High end residential neighbourhood and you’ll cut through a small park. Probably take ten minutes. And you can work off some of that nervous energy instead of sitting here.”

His smile is knowing, and I nod in agreement.

“If you don’t mind, I’d appreciate it and I’ll pay full fare for the help. You’re right. I feel like I might just run all the way there. I need to get out of this car.”

Still smiling, he rips a piece of paper off a notepad next to him and hands it to me. “It’s super easy to get there. Cut through Tulip Park, there are signs. Look for Orchid Way on the other side and it should be halfway down the street. It’s probably a stone house and sometimes the numbers are hard to see. Good luck.”

I’d only packed a small backpack and carried it on with me. After paying the man, I jump out with map in hand and throw the pack on my back. After carefully darting across four lanes of traffic, I jog toward the sign for Tulip Park.

The park is gorgeous. A fountain, an outdoor pop-up cafe, and loads of flower beds. Maybe I’ll have Sasha take me here later. Checking my little map, I turn left and look for Orchid Way. It’s two blocks from the park and after waiting at a crosswalkfor what feels like an eternity, I’m finally walking down Sasha’s street.

It feels like six hours passed and not six minutes until I find his house. The driver was right. It’s a large stone house with several entrances. Sasha said he lived in a studio apartment, but I don’t know what floor.

Hitting call on his number in my cell, I stand in the driveway and wait. An unfamiliar voice answers the phone.

“Um… hi? I’m looking for Sasha.”

“Is this Leaf?”

“Yeah, is he okay?”

“He is. Where are you?”

“I’m in the driveway and I don’t know what entrance to use.”

“Go around to the back. I’ll let you in.”

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