Page 3 of First Chance
“What the hell did you just say?” Lochlan growls to whoever said it, but I tune out the conversation.
I need to leave. The trundles of nerves have transformed into bubbles of devastation over how this day unfolded. I thought this was it, my clean break.
I reverse, flipping my car back toward the gates to get the hell out of here, but before I can accelerate forward, a large palm smacks down on the roof of my car, making me jump.
Lochlan’s staring into my window, waiting, but all I can focus on is his eyes. Deep blue, almost navy, glaring at me as if he can see straight through into my soul.
He’s close enough now that I can see the details of the raised white scar that starts at his temple and travels down, disappearing under his beard. It’s precise, but not surgical, and he’s likely had it for years.
After a momentary silent standoff, I unthaw myself from my frozen state and roll my window down.
“Is he right? Are you the Governor’s daughter?”
“Former Governor. But, yes,” I admit begrudgingly.
His whole frame stumbles back a step, but his eyes never leave mine. He doesn’t say another word, but I can feel thetear that leaked from my eye is about to escape the coverage of my sunglasses.
I accelerate.
His silhouette fills my rear view mirror as I exit through the black gates and flee back down the mountain.
Chapter Two
Jo
I’ve never felt such nerves walking into my favorite coffee shop, but after I ran away from Second Chance Sanctuary last week, I received a very gruff voicemail from Mr. Dane asking if I could meet with him.
He insisted it be somewhere public and not at the sanctuary, somewhere I was comfortable. Unfortunately, the only place I am semi-comfortable is on my college campus. It’s the only place where there aren’t eyes on me.
He’s impossible to miss sitting in the corner, even though his back is to me, looking out the big open window overlooking the square. It’s the main cross-traffic area for students going to their classes, and the crowd favorite lunch spot on nice days like today.
He doesn’t have a drink in front of him, but I order one of my own anyway before uneasily making my way over to him. I practiced a hundred different things to say when I showed up today, but none of them make their way from my throat as I sit down across from him.
His attention turns to me slowly, like he already knew I was here, but he doesn’t say anything as he studies me. We sitin silence across from each other until it gets uncomfortable, which isn’t very long at all.
“Jo!” One of the regular baristas walks over with my iced Churro Espresso Latte with extra caramel drizzle.
“Thank you, Hannah.” I smile warmly at her when she glances at Lochlan nervously. We aren’t personal acquaintances, but after ordering my drink from her a couple of times a week, I looked forward to seeing a friendly face at school.
I can sense her worry about the company I’m meeting with.
Lochlan doesn’t look like he belongs on a college campus. This is a diverse school with a multitude of ethnicities, social classes, and ages. It isn’t his mature appearance that I would guess is somewhere around mid-thirties; it’s the black cloud he walks around under.
His hands are stuffed into the pockets of his plain black hoodie as he returns to assess the world outside instead of looking at me or Hannah. “I’ll be right over there if you need anything else, Jo.” She smiles sincerely, returning to the coffee counter.
“You didn’t order anything?” I break the silence, speaking to him for the first time.
“No.”
“Okay. So…”
I didn’t initiate this meeting. The trajectory of this conversation should be led by him. That’s the unspoken societal norm.
“You go to school here?”
“I’m studying to get my Master’s Degree.”
“In what?”
