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Chapter Twenty
- Suzanne –
The Adirondack snowwas merely a drizzle in New York City, but there was also a certain beauty in the way the city lights glinted off the windshield while the wipers clicked with steady enthusiasm for their job.
Sebastian parked illegally to help me unload my bags, an action not appreciated by the traffic backed up behind him. When the man behind us honked his horn, Sebastian flipped him off.
“Don’t do that,” I teased him as I grabbed one of my bags from the trunk. “This isn’t the country, you know. He’s liable to get out and punch you.”
“He’ll be sorry if he does.” He took my other bag out, then pulled it back as I reached for it. The guy honked his horn again, more impatiently this time. “I’ll carry it up.”
I shook my head, worried there’d be a fight in the middle of the street. “I can get it. It’s only two flights. Besides,” I nodded toward the driver as I grabbed my bag from Sebastian’s grip, “traffic’s backed up enough. You made your point.”
“Alright then.”
Oh, God. Such simple words spoken, but their memories were heavy.
Sebastian put his arm around me and squeezed. “We’ll talk in a few days and make some plans for Christmas.” He chucked me under the chin. “I hope you had a good time.”
“The best,” I smiled up at him. “Thanks to you.”
He winked. “Anytime.”
The guy honked again, this time leaning on the horn until Sebastian let go of me. “I’d better go before I end up in jail.”
I wanted to point out that, technically, he was the one in the wrong.
“Get out of here. I’ll see you later!” I called to his departing back.
Sebastian climbed into the front seat of his still-running SUV and stuck his arm out the window, flipping the other driver off just one more time before he drove forward.
I set my bags down to unlock the door to my building. On rainy days, the smell from The Coffee Spot was soul-nourishing on its own. Having been gone for over a week, I could use a fresh-baked donut...or two. I promised myself I’d run down for a snack as soon as I got in the door. Donuts were just as good at eight at night as they were at eight in the morning.
I hefted my duffle bag over my shoulder and extended the handle on my suitcase. Thump, thump, thump...I cringed as it slammed against each step. Fortunately, itwasonly two flights. I turned on the first landing, resituated the duffle bag's strap on my shoulder, and started the second climb. Twelve steps of steady thumping...the neighbors would all know I was home, though I doubted anyone but Mrs. Beaulieu knew I had left. I always told her if I was going to be gone more than two days.
“Always let someone know where you’re going,” my father had always said. “You never know what can happen.”
Sadly, he was right.
I made one big tug to pull the suitcase out of the stairwell and onto the second-floor landing. The landlord really needed to fix the lighting. The hall light appeared dimmer than when I had left. I could barely see to get my key out of my purse.
Nor did I see the shadowy figure seated on the floor until I practically tripped over the long legs extended in front of my doorway.
I dropped my bags when he rose to his feet quickly, his hand slipping over my mouth before I could scream.
“Stop it,” he hissed in my ear. “It’s me. Open the door.”
I sucked in a breath and fumbled with the lock.
“Your landlord needs to get this fucking light fixed.”
I finally got the door unlocked. My emotions went from fear to anger instantly. I pushed the door open and stepped inside. I didn’t care that my bags were still in the hall; as soon as I crossed the threshold, I tried to slam the door shut.
His arm shot out, blocking my path. I leaned my entire body against it. Not necessarily trying to push him out as much as I was just trying to block him from coming any further in.
I breathed heavily with my back to the door and my heart thudding loudly in my chest.
He didn’t remove his arm, but I felt the weight of his body pushing against the other side of the door. This wasn’t a tug-of-war. With his greater strength, he easily would have won. We were at a stalemate for the moment. I didn’t see a path to victory...not for me. Whatever his presence meant, I had already lost. I didn’t even try to hold back the tears.
