Page 11 of Summer Ever After

Normally, this part of the drive calmed her, the familiar sight of the antique bookstore, the old lampposts with hanging flower baskets, the window of the little café that always stayed open just late enough for the last few locals.

But not tonight.

Tonight, every shadow felt like it might hide something.

Or someone.

She glanced in her rearview mirror. Aaron’s truck was still there. Unwavering. Like a promise.

As soon as she turned into the small lot behind her building, he did the same, parking a respectful distance away but close enough to make it clear that he wasn’t going anywhere until she was safely inside.

She turned off the engine and sat there for a moment, watching the stairs that led up to her place through the windshield, as if waiting for something to happen.

There it was again, that tight coil of fear. Of shame. Of frustration. All of it sitting heavy in her chest.

Damn Ian to hell.

The knock on her window was soft but she still jumped. Her hands rushed to cover her heart as she turned and saw Aaron standing outside. He stepped back, giving her space as she opened the door.

She climbed out slowly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. They stood there for a moment, the soft hum of crickets rising around them, the scent of sea salt and jasmine drifting in on the evening breeze. Her front door was just twenty feet away, up fifteen steps. But her feet didn’t move. Refused to move.

She was locked and lost in his eyes as fear glued her feet to the pavement.

“I hate that I’m like this,” she admitted softly. “That I get so… spooked. I need to be stronger.”

Aaron’s head tilted slightly, his eyes catching the last of the fading light. “You’re really amazingly strong.”

She gave a shaky breath of laughter. “Tell that to the woman who shattered in a million pieces over the possibility that a car followed her.”

“Courage isn’t not being scared,” he said, his tone warm but firm. “It’s going through every single day despite the fear.”

Beth blinked fast. Damn it. Why did kindness make her more emotional than cruelty?

She cleared her throat and nodded towards the narrow wooden staircase leading to her second-floor apartment. “I should get inside.”

“I’ll walk you up.” He followed her to the stairs. At the top, she paused, keys in hand. She had a ritual here too. Testing the door first to make sure it was still secure before unlocking it. Glancing left, right, then testing the door again.

Aaron stood beside her, watching her quietly as she went through the moves.

Once the locks were released, she gave the door a push and didn’t move. Standing there with the door wide open, she reached inside and flipped on the switch, which turned on every light in her small place.

Once she’d scanned the entire space, she finally stepped through the door. Only then did she turn around towards him.

He stood at the top of the stairs, watching her. “I’m going to do a pass of the area. If you see or hear anything weird tonight, don’t hesitate to call me.”

She paused and then gave him a small nod. “I will. Thanks.”

He smiled and dipped his head slightly. “Goodnight.”

“Night.”

She closed the door behind her, starting her next ritual by clicking each of the locks in place firmly and double-checking them. But as she moved through the small space that she called home, she felt something else layering over the fear.

Something she swore she’d never feel again in her lifetime.

Desire.