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“How about we make some breakfast—together?” I motioned to the fridge. “I’ve got eggs and bacon.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
I knew he liked to cook, but he’d still need a few good days to heal.
I got to work making omelets while Lachlan handled the toast. We solidified our plans over breakfast. I noticed that he didn’t eat much, either out of habit or maybe fear that the bottom would fall out from under him.
My stomach tightened. Fuck, I wished there was a way to make him feel more comfortable.
Likely it would take time. And not worrying about him out on the streets was a good start.
17
LACHLAN
I stared at the ceiling that had become familiar the past three days. Even though I was off the streets, I was still utterly lost. Not only was being somewhere warm and safe with food at my fingertips surreal, but the idea that Foster could really want this arrangement was messing with my head. I couldn’t help thinking that he’d change his mind any minute now, so I remained vigilant and kept my rolling cart at the ready just in case. But he’d been nothing but gracious.
I sat up and stretched, ready to start the day even though I’d slept like shit. Again. It was too damned quiet. Too damned everything.
Foster was already at work, and I could hear Oscar sniffing under the door for me. Foster had thought it was a good idea to give me some peace and quiet without an exuberant dog bothering me. But somehow, keeping the door closed felt lonelier.
That certainly didn’t make any sense. I slept alone in my tent all the time. But just knowing Foster and Oscar were in the next room made me want to reach out to them or talk to them or I didn’t know what. The irony of enjoying being confined inside my tent but not behind a guest-room door wasn’t lost on me. Maybe it would start feeling more familiar with time.
But it was more than that. I couldn’t help thinking about how I’d woken up in Foster’s arms the other day and how wonderful that felt. So maybe that was it. That itch beneath my skin to be touched and held again—by him.
Foster had made it clear he’d hook up with me if that was what I wanted. Was that all this was? My stomach bottomed out. No, he’d been respectful of my body and choices, and I hadn’t had that in a long time.
Once I rolled out of bed and poured myself some coffee—a habit Foster was trying to establish since I’d moved in—I clicked on Oscar’s leash for our morning routine.
I felt guilty walking Oscar near any of my usual haunts. But I also didn’t want anyone to think something had happened to me. The gossip would no doubt be unbridled. So I decided to head over the bridge, this time taking the Detroit-Superior thruway to the shelter. I introduced Oscar to the people in line, and he definitely seemed to brighten their day.
“I heard you were assaulted last week,” a lady said, and others murmured. “And that some man came by in a car to help you.”
“Yeah, that definitely happened.” My eyes were better but still felt grainy.
“That why you have this dog? Or is he a stray?” she asked.
“Oscar was a stray until that same man took him in.”
She raised an eyebrow. “You sure he ain’t taking advantage of you?”
She meant prostitution. It was rampant on certain corners downtown, so she must’ve thought he was some sort of john or pimp.
“Nah, it’s not like that,” I said as more came over to pet Oscar. “He’s a good man.”
I wished I could do more than bring a smile to their faces, but I had to get on my own two feet first. At least try to.
“You hear of any other attacks?”
A couple of men shook their heads.
After another minute, I flagged down Tessa as she was heading inside with her cousin, Officer Holt. He must’ve been volunteering in the kitchen again. Some people looked uncomfortable upon seeing him, and averted their eyes, but his smile was so friendly that many greeted him like an old friend.
“Who’s this?” Tessa asked as Oscar licked her hand. Her cousin continued into the building, so I felt more comfortable sharing with her.
“My friend’s dog, Oscar.”
“Does this explain why we haven’t seen you around?” She grimaced. “I heard what happened to you. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, much better.” My face felt hot. I wondered what she really thought. “My friend is letting me stay with him in exchange for looking after his dog. And that way I can use his address and conduct my own job searches.”
She smiled. “I’m happy for you.”
I toed a rock on the sidewalk. “Yeah, well…thanks.”
“You’re nervous, aren’t you?” She squeezed my arm. “I can see it in your eyes.”
