Page 44 of Cain

I shook those thoughts away, even if a familiar ache lingered for the woman I’d been. The one who didn’t value herself enough to tell Perry and his hurtful comments to kick rocks.

I exhaled and slid my feet into the same low boots that Aviela had commented on the last time we’d gone to the garden center.

I didn’t have perfume anymore. And a decent bottle wasn’t going to be in the budget for a long time, so I slathered on some more lotion then slid my hands over my clothes to spread the faint scent all over me.

Finally, I shoved my phone into my only purse alongside some cash, my card, mints, and the pepper spray gifted to me by Janet and Jill the day after I moved into the motel.

There was no going back now, I told myself as I left my room and turned to lock it.

When I turned back, I slammed right into something. No, someone. A solid wall of a man.

I grunted at the impact and jerked back, already apologizing.

“No, no. Wasn’t looking where I went either,” he said, giving me a little head shake as I moved past him.

I thought nothing of it until I got to my car and looked up to find him leaning on the railing. Watching me. Or watching the parking lot, at least; it was impossible to say he was looking directly at me.

But the weirdest part was… what was he doing there at all?

Mine was the only room at the end of the strip. There was no staircase leading down. There was no reason at all for him to run into me in the first place, let alone be hanging out outside my door.

Freaked out, I reached for my phone, opening my messenger app to shoot a note to the group chat with Janet and Jill.

Can you guys keep an eye on the guy who is outside of my room right now? I don’t have much worth stealing, but I’d like to hold onto it regardless.

Janet responded instantly as the door to their room whipped open and Jill walked out in her bright pink bathrobe and kitten slippers, her hair pushed back with a fabric headband to keep her mud mask from getting in the strands.

I loved how confident she was as she took a step or two away from her door, put her hands on her hips, and glared up at the man.

Janet moved out a moment later, a metal bat in her hand.

It was enough to make the man straighten then make his way down the balcony and down the steps.

Knowing what they would tell me, I stayed put with my doors locked until he got in his car and drove off, not wanting him to be able to follow me.

Sure he was gone, I shot the girls a thank-you text, tried to forget the incident, then drove to the clubhouse to meet up with Cain.

When I pulled in, there was no time to mentally calm myself down because he was already standing outside. But I did feel a wave of relief to find he was once again in jeans and a Henley—navy this time.

I climbed out of my car, my nerves jangling.

I hadn’t been on a first date in so many years. And before my wedding, I’d only maybe had two first dates before Perry locked me down.

I felt like a teenager again.

“Am I late?” I asked.

“Not at all. You look nice.”

“I didn’t really know how to dress for the haunted woods.”

“That’s perfect. Now, do you want to go together, or would you feel more comfortable driving yourself?”

That question was all I needed to know I could trust him to drive me.

“Fair warning, if you want to come with me, I ride a bike.”

“That’s okay.”