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e course in accounting, so I could get a decent, well-paid 9 to 5.
Then I just have to meet a nice man to look after me, maybe have a few kids…
I sighed wistfully as I plated my bacon and eggs, adding a slice of slightly burnt toast to the side. I didn’t like to admit it to myself, but I was lonely. Working hard went some way to help me forget, but it didn’t give me any time to actually meet someone. The only men I usually met were the perverts who came in to ogle me at the bar.
I smiled to myself. Since I’d filled out and started to wear tighter clothes to show off my curves, I’d noticed my tips increased considerably, and I didn’t go a night without getting a drink or two bought for me.
Men. Just like animals sometimes. Why am I cursed to only meet violent thugs or old perverts?
My house phone rang as I took my first bite of breakfast.
Typical.
I sprang up and half jogged to the phone.
“Hey, Eden here.”
It was my manager from the bar. I wasn’t due to work this evening, but apparently the usual waitress had come down sick earlier. I was his first call to find a replacement. Said the locals liked me, drank more when I was working, apparently.
“Sure thing, Bill. I’ll be in at eight. I’m not gonna turn down work. You know me.”
I went back to my breakfast, gobbling the eggs and bacon down hungrily. I’d half-finished my breakfast when there was a loud knock at the door. A loud, slow, ominous sound… knock… knock… knock.
It can’t be. No, it’s gotta be someone else. Has to be.
I froze at the sound of Conall’s signature knock at my front door. It would be just like him to turn up unannounced, march in like he owned the place. Start trying to manipulate me. Again.
I picked myself up, raising my chin confidently as I headed for the door.
If it is him, I’ll show him I’m not a scared little girl anymore. Show him he can’t control me. And there’s no way in hell I’m having him back.
I took a deep breath before opening the door.
Conall stood there, hands in pockets. He was wearing a black leather biker jacket, accentuating his huge frame. A cigarette hung from his mouth as he grinned at me. He stared down at me with bloodshot eyes. I could smell alcohol on him, even from a few feet away. He had put on a little weight around his waist, but was otherwise just as beefy as ever.
I frowned at him.
“Long time no see, babe. How you been?”
That’s it? That’s all you got after abandoning me?
“You look like shit, Conall. Rough night? Again?”
“Ain’t no such thing as a rough night for me. You know I’m no lightweight.,” he snarled.
“I was expecting a warmer reception after everything I done for you. Lemme see your new place.” He pushed past me into my house, whistling as he looked around. The smoke from his cigarette stung my eyes.
Anger welled inside me.
“After everything you done for me? Conall, you really are a piece of work. You disappeared without a trace, didn’t leave me any money, no place to stay, no car.”
I crossed my arms. He was looking at me, eyebrows raised. I was expecting an angry backlash, but he was just staring at me.
“I got this place from working my ass off, three jobs just to save for the deposit.” I tried to stop my anger from rising out of control. I knew I’d be in trouble if I took things too far.
“I protected you! Didn’t say a word to the cops, like we agreed! They tried everything in the book to make me talk. I was scared, Conall. And you just ran off into the sunset!”
Conall turned away from me, snorting. He walked into the kitchen and threw his cigarette into the sink. He picked up a piece of bacon from my plate, chewing it absently.
