Page 39 of A Dash of You

She gasps, covering her mouth. “Oh, my word, child. What happened?” Shelby takes my hand, walking me over to a chair.

My butt collides with the wooden seat and my body relaxing in defeat. I’m completely unguarded, causing the released tears to flow.

It’s strange to be so comfortable, so relaxed, so exhausted around this lady. Maybe because she’s been incredibly kind, or maybe it’s because she reminds me of a sincere grandmother.

With my face buried in my hands, I cry silently. I cry because of Mark. I cry because of Jason. I cry because I missed my father so fucking much. And I cry because I lack a plan for my future. Who I am. Who Iwantto be. Wondering if I’d constantly feel unsafe. Always looking over my shoulder.

“It’s okay, dear. It’s going to be okay.” Shelby scoots her chair closer to me, wrapping a warm arm around my shoulders. “Frank! Close up. We’re done for the day.” Her voice carries to the back of the café.

“Yes, mam.” Shelby’s husband wipes sweat off his brow while huffing out a sigh of relief.

It has been extra busy.

My crying comes to a pause. “No, please, don’t close because of me.”

“Nonsense. Besides, having an early day might not be so bad.” She looks like her husband, both tired and overworked. “Now tell me what happened. Do we need to call the police?”

Police.Every time I’m hit with that suggestion, my stomach sinks to the floor.

“That won’t be necessary. It’s handled… for now,” I tell her, then begin the quick version of what happened.

“That weasel punk. If I see him around. I’ll… I’ll… ugh!” She balls up a fist, my heart warming at the sight. Here’s this sweet old lady ready to brawl… for me.

“It’s okay. I just needed a good cry. Thank you.”

Concern draws her mouth taut. “Does Logan know?”

What a weird question to ask, but I told her thatsomeonehad pulled Mark off me. I just left Logan’s name out of it.

“Well, actually,hewas the one who stopped Mark.”

Her body relaxes. “That’s a fine young man. Always liked him.” She holds my stare, slapping her hands to her apron covered thighs. “It’s settled. No arguing. I’m sending you home to rest.”

Being on my feet made my body ache more. Rest is probably a good idea.

“I’ll be back tomorrow morning. I promise.”

“Take all the time you need, dear.”

I make my way to my car after having thanked Shelby a million times for her kindness. It’s lunchtime, and I decide before heading back to Lana’s that there’s somewhere I need to stop.

As I walk up to George’s Tow service carrying an order of chicken tenders and fries, I feel foolish. What if Logan already ate? What if he doesn’t like chicken or fries? What if he doesn’t eat carbs? He definitely eats sweets.

Logan is a persistent presence in my thoughts. Whether he swirled in my mind in the shower, making coffee, baking at the café, he popped up like a ghost waiting to rest. The pull to him is too powerful and clouds my judgement. I suppose him showing up to my rescue all the damn time has something to do with it. It may also be the safety aspect of it all. Maybe it’s selfish, or maybe this is what an actual relationship felt like. Of course, we are nothing but friends. Well, friends might even be a step ahead, but it brings me some sort of comfort. Also, the idea of being with someone like Logan is entertaining. Though I can’t pursue a relationship for obvious reasons. I’m still married to the devil himself.

I halt dead in my tracks.

This is dumb.

I spin to leave but change my mind, trudging back to the garage. Fuck it, I’m already here. Entering the front, I glance around the area, which looks identical to the first time I saw it. Paint is still chipped from the walls even though I swear he was getting the shop painted, but there are no signs of fresh paint anywhere.

I contemplate leaving the bag and bolting, but Logan steps up from the back, wiping his big yet greasy hands off with a rag.

He freezes when he sees me.

“Logan.” I wave embarrassingly. A little girly pageant wave I wish I can take back.

“Sora.” His stare entrances me as it always does. “Everything all right?” He’s wearing a cut off today with jeans that hang perfectly low around his waist. His glowing, sweaty skin layered in those tattoos, and his facial beard is thicker than normal.

---