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The blond one nods. “My name is John, and this is Milo. We will still keep watch but far enough away so they don’t question you here.”
I give a relieved sigh. “Thank you,” I say with a smile.
John smiles nervously and Milo elbows him. “Your welcome, Mrs.—”
I interrupt him. “Aura. Aura Rayne.”
“Okay, Aura. I’m sorry you are going through this.”
Chapter 9
Aura
I am glad I was given the best shift at the diner five days a week during the day and it is not far from Kalum’s house. It has been three months and still, he hasn’t called me directly but leaves messages with Camila. She gives him an update but doesn’t tell him about my job at the diner and neither do the bodyguards. They drive to work every day instead of me paying for an Uber and having to follow it.
The generous tips I have received so far have been great, so I save to move. I haven’t decided yet where but I know it will be soon. Things have died down after Lane’s death. I can’t believe how much time has gone by, it seems like it was yesterday, and the ache in my chest was still there when Dex gave me the news while I watched the TV in horror as the flames were being extinguished. Lane’s body was burned to ashes. The lump lodges in my throat and it is difficult to swallow when I think of that moment.
“Hey, are you okay?”
I snap out of my thoughts, my mind drifting off.
“Yeah. I’m so sorry. What can I get you?” I ask.
There is a young guy seated in the booth of the diner. He keeps staring at me. It doesn’t make me uncomfortable. Other girls in the diner get appreciative male glances from time to time. It happens. We all just ignore it and keep working, paying no mind to it.
“I would like the special, and if it is possible, your number.”
My gaze lands on his face after the last part. “The special. Coming right up.”
I move to place his order in the kitchen and take a deep breath.
“That’s Bradley. His father is a whale,” Nancy says as she saunters up to me.
“A what?” I ask.
“A whale. Rich. Bradley is a nice guy, not stuck up like the usual trust fund kids. He is twenty-six and single. He keeps staring at you.” She lowers her voice. “All the guys that come in here stare at you, but you don’t notice. Do you?”
“No. I’m not interested in anyone. I have a son to think about.”
“I know your husband passed, but sometimes we need someone to talk to. Friends. You are far too young to alienate yourself because of your husband’s passing. It is not as if you are disrespecting his memory but you can’t be alone all the time, sweetie. Judy wants to hang out on Saturday. If I babysit, maybe you girls can hang out.” She bumps into me playfully. “Maybe you all can meet up as friends,” she says, giving me a wink.
The bell rings, signaling that the food is ready. Judy smiles at me and pulls the ticket and hands me the plate.
Judy has asked me for a girls’ night out, but I always decline. Camila also had tried to get me to go out for a day, but in the same fashion, I declined, not wanting to leave Lane more than I had to. She even refused the money I offered to watch Lane while I go to work.
I head over and place the plate in front of Bradley. Another guy enters the diner with light-brown hair and eyes the color of green emeralds and takes a seat in front of Bradley.
I notice Bradley has dirty-blond hair and blue eyes with a Ralph Lauren polo knit sweater fitted over his broad frame as he straightens in the booth.
“Is there anything else you need?” I ask.
He looks down at the plate of hot food with the steam swirling up and then looks up with a smirk. “Yeah, your number. You forgot to give me your number.”
He looks so sure of himself. Thinking I would happily provide him my number like I’m a desperate schoolgirl needing his attention.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not interested.”
He raises his eyebrows and his friend chuckles. I look at his friend, who is laughing at him. He looks embarrassed, but I’m honestly not interested in going out with anyone. Probably ever. My focus is on Lane and his needs.
