Page 28 of Crimson Promises
Riley abruptly stood up. Worry flashed in his eyes. “Yeah, let’s head out of here. I’ll drop you off.” He let go out of my hand as he descended the stairs.
He didn’t have to tell me twice. I was ready for this night to be over.
I couldn’t help looking over my shoulder as we headed out of the maze, wondering.What animal had made that sound?
* * *
The weather app called for a cooler day than usual. Winter winds were pulling at autumn’s last few days of warmth. I swung my legs over the side of the mattress and hopped down, peering longingly back at my bed.No classes tomorrow.An entire day doing nothing but lazing around sounded luxurious. A new season ofVirgin Riverwas recently released on Netflix. After last night, a whole day without talking to anyone would be pure bliss. Socializing was exhausting.
I pulled open my closet doors and flitted through the hangers. How did I always feel like I had nothing to wear when I had a closet full of clothes? I selected a hunter-green cashmere sweater I had thrifted with a pair of dark wash jeans. Fortunately, working at Canmore didn’t require wearing some hideous polyester uniform. The thought of being stuck in that stiff material made my skin itch. For my first job, I worked at an ice cream shop and was still scarred from that awful getup. Jean said since we were working in the back, we could wear whatever we wanted as long as it let us climb ladders or whatever other actions we needed to get done to ensure things were cataloged accurately.
Snagging my fully charged MacBook andDuring Mythical Timestextbook, I filled my backpack and zipped it closed. I had tried using a leather messenger bag in the first few weeks on campus, wanting to appear cool and sophisticated. After a few days, I still hadn’t made any new friends, but I had gained a kink in my neck and a sore shoulder. Backpack, it is. Which is just as well; otherwise, I wouldn’t survive my new Greek and Roman Mythology course. I had just wrapped up the precursor to this course, Western Civilization, and the professor had highly recommended their colleague’s course, so I signed up. Heaving the bag onto my back, I was having second thoughts. This was only one of thirteen books we would have to read within seven weeks.
Striding out of the building, I was happy to see Victor holding the door. He tipped his hat in acknowledgment. I moved to the side to let a couple pass by me.
When the door swung closed, I greeted him. “Mornin’ Vic. How are you doing today?”
“Good morning, Ms. James.” He drew in a deep breath. “There’s more of a chill in the air today. Our days of fall are numbered.”
“I’m not ready for winter yet,” I said, pulling my jacket in tighter.
“Sadly, Mother Nature doesn’t care whether you are ready for winter. Tomorrow morning, you could wake up and find your window entirely frosted.”
“You really know what to say to kick off the day the right way, Vic. As if this class wasn’t already early enough.” I covered my yawn with a fist.
“Energy is wasted on the youth, I swear,” he mumbled. “I’ve been meaning to ask, are you free to come by one night this week for dinner?”
“Don’t put Darlene out—I’m good. Busy with classes and everything.”
“I promised your dad I’d have you over. We haven’t seen the kids in a while, and the house has felt empty. We could use the company.”
“Oh, alright,” I sighed. I wasn’t getting out of this, and some home-cooked food didn’t sound all that bad. “Only if Darlene makes a meal strictly with vegetables.”
Vic cringed.
“Can I let you know for sure later on? I want to check with work first.”
“Absolutely.” A devious smirk broke across Victor’s face. “So, are you going to tell me how your date went last night?”
I dragged my palm across my face. “What makes you think it was a date?”
“A male picked you up from here last night. Correct?”
“Correct.”
“He came around and opened the door for you, and you couldn’t stop smiling. How is that not a date?” He raised his eyebrows, daring me to prove him wrong.
“Fine,” I rolled my eyes at him. “Maybe it was a date.”
“Are you going to give me any of the deets?”
“Please do not ever use the word ‘deets’ again.”
“I heard some teenager using it on the phone when they were walking into the building.” He straightens his hat. “I’m cool. Therefore, I can use the word.”
“It was fine.”
“Just fine, huh?”
