Ahead of the Darkness by Simone Nicole Read Free Book Online Page A

change yer mind?”
    “Oh. Yes, right. No, I haven’t changed my mind. Well, you never gave me a chance to make one. What time do you want me? Oh, what do I wear? I didn’t notice if there was a uniform.”
    “I dinnae, did I? Sorry. It would be great if ye come in for six, and I can show ye around. Just wear something black and we can see how ye like it?”
    “Okay. Oh God, what time is it?” It felt like I’d been there all day.
    “Quarter to eleven.”
    “I should get going. Whatever happened to my phone?”
    “Oh.” He walked off into the living room and returned a moment later with my phone in hand. “I plugged her in for ye, and put the rest of ye things on the coffee table. She should be good to go.” He handed my phone back with a small smile.
    “Thank you. Now I can find out where I live.”
    “Aye, that will help. I can drop ye off home, if ye need.” I’d been too distracted in turning on my phone and bringing up the map that it took me a little longer to take in what Drew had offered.
    “Oh, I can walk. My ankle is fine, mostly, and according to the map on my phone it isn’t far. Maybe three or four blocks.”
    Awkward morning goodbyes were not my cup of tea, and I’d only encountered a few, on principle I avoided them, but it definitely felt like one with neither one of us knowing what to say. It was ridiculous, really. We didn’t even have sex, yet I wasn’t sure if I should ask for his number, or offer to give him mine. We would be working together after all.
    I did neither. “So, I’ll get going. Ah, thank you again for letting me stay and for breakfast. You can cook and dance, what other hidden talents do you have?” Shit, did I say that out loud?
    “That’s for me to know and ye to find out.” I reflexively bit my lip, and Drew laughed.
    “I’ll see you at Cascade’s at six?”
    “Aye, I’ll walk ye down. Ye sure ye dinnae want a ride?”
    I suppressed my body’s impulse to respond with a yes, I’d very much like a ride, and pretended my thoughts weren’t still in the gutter.
    “No, I’m fine, really. I can let myself out. No need to bother.”
    “Alright then. I’ll see ye later on.” I collected my clutch and Drew walked with me to his front door and slid open the heavy, wooded thing.
    “Oh, wow. It’s real.”
    “Aye, I have a thing for old warehouse buildings, I guess. All authentic detailing, mind.”
    “It’s a nice touch. Well, thanks again ...” Do I shake his hand? Kiss him goodbye?
    “It was nae bother.”
    “Well okay.”
    And with that, I hurried down the two flights of stairs I had no memory of Drew carrying me up. I paused at the security door and looked up at hearing Drew lock his door.
    ––––––––
    E verything seemed to only take twenty or so minutes to get to, and I spent those ones in daze the whole way to Anne’s. Surprisingly, I didn’t get lost this time, but I was so nervous about getting caught coming in with last night’s clothes on. I was a grown woman, for pity’s sake, and what would Anne care anyway. I wasn’t her daughter tarting around. I snuck in the back door like some silly teen all the same.

Chapter Five
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    T here I was, outside Cascades at five minutes to six. I’d spent the whole afternoon kicking myself for not getting Drew’s number so I could tell him I’d changed my mind. I couldn’t believe I was about to start working here, for Drew, of all people.
    It made sense that he owned the bar. His apartment had the same style, the same flair, but he seemed so young. What I really couldn’t wrap my head around was that I was stupid enough to start working for him, a man that throws me for a complete loop. I couldn’t think clearly when I was around him, if our limited past experience was anything to go by. One minute I would be more turned on than I had ever been, the next, frustrated beyond comprehension. The smart thing would have been to walk away, leave it alone, but no, I