Page 36 of Take Me (Dark Odyssey 5)

“Thank you,” I answer, and she saunters away.

It’s nice here. I’ve been here a few times, but it wouldn’t be my first pick because it comes with a heavy price tag. To me it’s more of a treat. I’ve come here with Rosie. She likes the muffins. I’ve tried to replicate them for her, but I suck at baking. I’m a better cook.

At least I’m good at something that will be of benefit to her in some way, something she can remember me for.

I pray she never knows I had to work at The Dark Odyssey and that she never finds out I failed in every way to keep her safe and happy in these early years.

The last few nights with Christian were… I don’t know what to call them. Last night was the most intense because we were in bed the whole time.

I left at the crack of dawn because I thought I should, and I didn’t want to feel any hope that he would book me again. I thought the worse thing would be expecting it and then him not saying anything, so I left.

I’m fairly sure he got his fill of me last night and I don’t want to feel hurt when the fascination fades.

The task now is to push him out of my mind. Even if I see him tonight.

It’s not fair to want him to save me night after night.

I know all too well that I shouldn’t allow myself to be drawn to him in anyway and I’m not his problem to deal with.

The door to the coffee house opens with a little jingle and in comes Mimi. Like me she’s short and even has the same hair color. The first thing I thought when I met her was that our similar appearances could make us related.

She’s wearing a little top and Levi’s and looks like a million dollars even though her baby is six months old. There’s no way I’d guess she’d given birth six months ago or that she has another child.

I stand to greet her as she approaches, and she gives me a hug. As we hug, she does feel like a friend.

“You’re smiling, that’s a good thing,” she bubbles and the ends of her ponytail bounce.

I smile wider. “Thank you. I’m glad.”

She sits and I sit opposite her. “Thanks for meeting me. I hope it was okay to meet.”

“Yes, I got a sitter for my little girl.” Mimi messaged me just before I got to Jenny’s so I asked Jenny if she could watch Rosie a little longer. It was no problem.

“Perfect. I won’t take up too much time, I just want to make sure you’re okay and meet you outside of work, somewhere you could talk to me without the pressure.”

As she looks at me, I get that feeling again like she can see I’m not really okay.

“Thank you, and it’s fine. I have a really nice person looking after my Rosie. I trust her and she does a good job.”

“Oh good. So, are you really okay?”

“I’m okay. It’s been an interesting couple of nights.”

“Lilly people are raving about you. I was there from the club opened and I know people go to the club for one thing. You seem to be another. I feel awful that I haven’t seen your performance. That man of mine is crazy. He’ll only allow me to go to the club if he’s there too, he’s just protective and thinks I should be wrapped in a bubble. His bubble.”

I chuckle. “But that’s nice, to have him take care of you like that.” I saw Salvatore a few times in my training and he’s exactly as she described. Protective.

She rolls her eyes at me and shakes her head. “The man has been like it since we were kids.”

“Really?”

“Hmmm hmm, granted I will admit to giving him cause to worry and yes there have been an occasion or two where I needed to be saved, but he can be totally over the top, especially with our kids. But… me aside, I do genuinely want to talk to you about how you are. And please, this isn’t about work. Are you really okay?”

No. I’m not okay. I don’t think I’ll ever be but I’m trying…

That’s what I want to say but I can’t.

“Yeah. I am.”

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