Page 31 of Into the Light
Sara looked concerned. “You know, our intuition is a huge safety mechanism. If you felt something, it’s for a reason.”
“I’m sure it’s fine.” I shook my head, attempting to shake off the weird feeling. “I came for sustenance.”
“Ah. The sweet kind?”
“Of course.”
She grabbed a large white to-go box and began filling it with treats from the glass display case. The best thing about having a friend who owned a cafe, is that she often gave me the leftover baked goods at the end of the day. I always tried to pay, but she wouldn’t have it. So I’d drop cash into the tip jar when she wasn’t looking.
We talked for a little while about the Halloween party and what she planned for next year. I didn’t dare tell her about Raf after all that time I spent crying over him earlier in the week. I was so confused, but at this point, the back and forth was embarrassing.
It was getting late and I just wanted to curl up in bed with a book, so I said goodbye.
“You want me to walk you? You shouldn’t go by yourself.”
“No, no. I’m fine, I promise.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I’ll text you when I get home.”
“You better.”
I gave her a kiss on the cheek and left with my box of goodies. The first block of the walk was fine. But as I passed the dress shop again, goosebumps erupted all over my body and the hair on the back of my neck stood up.
I looked around in all directions, not even trying to be sly about it. But I didn’t see anyone. I quickened my pace and soon passed my storefront. I peeked around the corner to make sure no one was hiding around it or lurking on the cross street, and then slipped down it. But when I looked back, I was chilled to the bone.
Across the street, on the promenade next to the harbor, was a man, around my age, maybe a bit older. He just stood there, watching me. When I looked right into his eyes, he didn’t try to look away, or go about his business. No. He stared me down, and the look on his face was deadly. Wild, almost.
He was far enough away that I was safe, and he didn’t even attempt to move closer, but I broke out into a run anyway. Around the back of the building, I shoved my key into the lock and slammed the door behind me, deadbolting it and running up the stairs.
In the safety of my apartment—the upstairs door locked and deadbolted too—I felt a little silly getting spooked by someone who was probably just a tourist or a weirdo. I probably let my out of control emotions get the better of me. I’m sure there’s some psychology involved there.
But as I unpacked the pastries and made myself a cup of tea, I noticed the goosebumps didn’t go away, and the hair on the back of my head wouldn’t settle.
fifteen
RAFAEL
I tossedand turned all night. I don’t think I slept a single minute, my mind was stuck on Ellie and the pain I’d caused her. But this time, instead of being so sure that it was all a sign I should stay the hell away from her, I was seriously considering the alternative.
What if I went to her? What if she forgave me for all of the stupid shit I’d put her through—the mixed signals and the over-protectiveness and the guilt from Sam—what if none of that mattered and we could be together?
I’d never known a woman who was so perfect, let alone perfect for me. Was I messing up both of our lives by being so stuck in my head and clinging to this bullshit?
I didn’t know the answer. I didn’t know the right path, but I knew the wrong path was one without Ellie. So I needed to do whatever it took to make things right.
I stood on the deck of the Stella Rose and watched the horizon for when the harbor came into view. It was one of my favorite things. Being on the water, seeing nothing but blue, and then watching the land appear, rising from the sea, getting closer to the harbor I called home. I only realized then, that my first thoughts of home all involved Ellie.
“You really look like shit, man,” Roger said. I didn’t even see him approach.
“Yeah, I didn’t get much sleep last night.”
“Figures. But I’ve known you for a long damn time, man.”
“Yeah, so?”
“You ever gonna get that girl?”
