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He gobbled down the entire bowl before I’d even swallowed a bite of sweet potatoes.
“It’s not going to get away,” I said lightly, but he continued to lick the empty bowl like it was still full.
“You never know.” Trish’s voice was quiet. So quiet I paused mid-bite to look at her. Those words sounded like they came from a person who spoke from experience. She pasted a smile on her face, no trace of the shadows that had just been there. “Did Mrs. Quinn tell you about the mentorships?”
“Nope,” I said around a bite of chicken. This food was as good, if not better, than the Michelin-starred restaurants I’d dined in. Guess Sam wasn’t the only one inhaling his dinner.
“Mulaney Carter heads up the program. We’re paired with leaders in industries we’re interested in. My food truck is opening soon.” Her excitement was palpable. I thought shelters just got people back on their feet and shoved them out the door? Not this one, it appeared.
“Congratulations.” I wasn’t sure what to say. Running a business—even an illegitimate one— was hard. She’d been nice to me, and I didn’t want to burst her bubble with statistics of how many new businesses failed.
“You can be my first customer.”
I nearly choked, but somehow swallowed and covered it up with a cough. After a sip of water, I pointed at my throat. “Went down the wrong way.”
I liked this girl but didn’t plan out my life beyond the minute I was in. It was too risky. Nothing was permanent. Especially not people. And if I ever saidthatout loud, people would hear that I knew more about being abandoned than most.
“Want to meet my daughter when you’ve finished dinner?”
This time, I did choke. “You have a daughter?”
“Her name is Ella. She saved my life.”
Chapter Nine
Drew
Easton was waitingin what was better described as the foyer than the lobby of Paths of Purpose.
“I told you I’d see myself back,” I said, my suit jacket slung over one shoulder and tie shoved in my pocket. I was too tired for whatever shit he’d brought with him.
“And I told you I’d give you a ride home.”
I wasn’t exactly in a position to turn him down, considering a she-devil had stolen my wallet. Why I hadn’t gone straight to Mrs. Quinn and outed the tigress, I didn’t know. I should have confronted that little klepto myself, but I couldn’t get anywhere near her when she was in the living quarters. Tomorrow. That was what I kept promising myself, though I half-expected to find she’d split by then.
“Thanks.” My brother looked as surprised as I was when the word left my mouth. I shrugged.
There was a black Escalade outside. I was relieved to see my father wasn’t in the driver’s seat. I had to be at my best to deal with him, and I wasn’t right now.
“Front seat,” Easton said when I started to get in the back. He climbed into the driver’s seat, hesitating a moment before he cranked the vehicle. “Leave It All Behind” by Welshly Arms blared through the speakers. Easton turned it down. I turned it back up.
“Mind if I smoke?” I already knew the answer but couldn’t resist, going so far as to reach into my pocket.
He wasn’t amused. “Yes.”
We rode in silence, me with my head leaned against the headrest and my eyes closed. After the past few days—months really—I was done. I didn’t want to talk. Didn’t want to hear a lecture. Frankly, I just wanted to be alone. Except, of all the people in the world I shouldn’t want to see, I was glad he was here. It kind of felt like when we were kids, and I had nearly gotten my ass kicked by a guy a lot bigger than I was. Easton had settled it without a single fist being thrown. We’d walked home in silence, and I remembered being grateful he was with me.
“I went by the Four Seasons today,” he finally said.
“Wife already kick you out?” Disdain dripped from my voice. I didn’t have to hide it anymore.
“Mama left a bag when they checked out. I finally ran by to pick it up.” There was a pregnant pause when he stopped at a red light. “The hotel is looking for you.”
I stopped short of banging my head against the glass. I’d given them my phone number at the condo in Houston because I knew I wouldn’t be there.
“Who isn’t?” I muttered under my breath.
“I settled your bill.”
