Looking back, I can’t pinpoint when it started…at least not exactly. Maybe when we were dating and he would be a little too rough with handling me when he got jealous of other guys. Maybe the fact that he handled me at all was a dead giveaway.
For me, that’s one of the worst things about living with an abuser for so long. I feel so stupid for not leaving, for not recognizing the signs that were as obvious as the nose on my face, and in the beginning, for loving the attention he gave me. The way he wanted to spend every second of the day with me. The way he made me the center of his world…until he wanted to rule it with an iron fist.
Taking a deep breath, I push the curtains aside and check the parking lot for Hunter’s truck. It’s not there.
My heart jumps in excitement and not disappointment. Never disappointment. I’ll never be disappointed by a man again.
Grabbing my phone, I secure it in my armband and head downstairs. Humid air hits me as soon as I push open the door. I make a face, sticking out my tongue like a hound dog.
A small meow captures my attention, drawing my gaze to the floor.
“Hello there. Looking for some food and water?” I ask the stray cat that is sunning itself on the side porch. Bending down, I stroke its head and the cute thing starts to purr. “Aren’t you sweet?”
Looks like I’ll be acquiring a roommate in my very near future. My walk will have to wait until later because this precious creature will need a bed, toys, cat food, and I’ll have to make an appointment with the—
I spy a black collar around its neck. My heart sinks a little, but I check out the tag anyway. It’s shaped like R2-D2 and I can’t help but make a small noise of delight. “Oh, pardon me, Empress Padme, I didn’t realize you belong to apartment F.” I’m glad she has a home, but for a minute I was excited to share mine.
Empress Padme gives me a haughty stare.
A woman comes around the side of the house, exasperation on her pretty face. She’s almost as tall as I am and is wearing a T-shirt with the phrase IF YOU DON’T TALK TO YOUR CAT ABOUT CATNIP, WHO WILL? printed on the front. A pair of cutoff jeans and hot pink converse sneakers complete her look.
“There you are.” Scooping up her cat, she scolds her gently before turning her attention to me. “She used the force to escape and I’ve been looking for her for the past ten minutes.”
“Pretty sure she was leading the rebel army away from stormtroopers. So, go easy on her.”
The brunette regards me for a minute as if she’s not sure if I’m making fun of her. “Possibly she thinks I’m Vader since I tricked her into taking a bath this morning.”
I nod solemnly. “You’re a dead ringer for him, for sure.”
Pushing her eyeglasses back up her nose, a beautiful smile appears on her face. “I’m Saylor Dean. Sorry, I haven’t been very neighborly by forgetting to welcome you to Rose Haven.” She bites her lip. “Welcome!”
“Thanks,” I say with a grin. “I’m Evangeline Ambrose. I live in apartment C.”
“Oh, then you’re neighbors with Hunter. He’s so nice,” she says conversationally.
“Really?”
“Yup. He rescued Padme from the oak tree in the back.”
Of course he did. “That was nice of him. I really haven’t had a chance to get to know him—I’m new to the area and I’m still trying to figure everything out.” And I don’t plan on getting to know him.
She blinks at me, her pretty brown eyes taking everything in, it seems. “I don’t get out much, either.”
“Maybe…maybe you and I can get together,” I blurt, terrified she will say yes. And equally as terrified she will say no. Gah. I’m awful at this.
“That would be awesome,” she nearly shouts, then blushes as she winces. Tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear, she continues. “Sorry. I work with animals five days a week at Forrestville Animal Shelter and don’t interact with people much. But now I have to work six days a week because we’re short an employee, which means I’m there all the time, and Empress gets mad at me for the lack of attention she’s receiving and runs away to spite me.” Her lips smash together for a second. “So…yeah, I’m sure you didn’t need to know all that.”
Although I technically don’t need a job, I so need a job. I need to be productive. I need to focus on something other than myself and my past. “Is the shelter hiring?”
Saylor nods. “Yes. The application is online. You can put my name down for a reference, since you saved me from being late for work.”
“You’re welcome, but I really didn’t do anything but pet and talk to her,” I confess. I don’t want to get a reference I didn’t earn.
“Which is why she stayed instead of bolting and making me spend another ten minutes, or longer, looking for her,” Saylor points out.
“I guess you have me there.” I rock back on my heels.
Saylor nuzzles Empress Padme’s soft head. “If you have time, you can fill out the application online and then come by the shelter for an interview today.”
“Really?” It’s almost too good to be true, but sometimes good things actually happen when you need them to the most.