“You know what I mean.” I let out a huff. “Why are you here … inside where I work? I mean, it’s one thing to follow me and watch me like you’ve been doing, but this is too much.”
“Just so we’re clear, I wasn’t planning on coming inside.”
“Then, why did you?”
“’Cause I had to take piss,” he answered bluntly.
“Oh.”
“I’ve got things to do, so … unless you have something else on your mind, I’ve gotta get going.”
“No, I didn’t need anything else.”
I watched as he turned and headed towards the front doors of the building. Just before he walked outside, he called, “I’ll be seeing ya, Delilah.”
I was too frustrated to respond. I could only stand there watching as he strolled out and into the parking lot. I was still standing there trying to wrap my head around what had just taken place when Krissy came rushing up to me. “Was it just my imagination, or did I just see you talking to maybe the hottest guy I’ve ever laid my eyes on?”
“It was your imagination.”
“Come on, Delilah,” she fussed. “Who was that?”
“That was nobody, or at least, nobody you’d want to know. Trust me.”
Before she could ask anything more, I turned and went to check on Mr. McClanahan. As soon as I was certain he was okay, I went back to the nurses’ desk to find Ms. Rice’s file. Once I found her daughter’s phone number, I gave her a quick call to make sure she was okay. She assured me that she was fine, and thanked me for looking after her mother. By the time I shared the news with Ms. Rice, it was time to get lunch to all the residents who couldn’t make it to the cafeteria. My busy morning turned into an even busier afternoon, which was just fine. I liked having the distraction as it kept my mind off things. I was thankful that work continued to stay that way over the next few days. I was actually starting to feel like my life was getting back to normal—at least, as normal as it could be under the circumstances. Sadly, the feeling was short-lived.
After another long day at work, I ran a few errands, then headed back to my apartment. I’d just gotten out of my car, my hands full of groceries, and I was on my way up to the front door. That’s when a strange shadow in one of the trees caught my attention. I stepped closer, trying to get a better look through the thick leaves, and was surprised to find Hawk perched on one of the larger branches.
“Seriously?” He looked down at me with surprise. “You’re hiding out in trees now?”
“What?”
“You heard me. It’s bad enough that you stalked me at work, but now—”
“Delilah,” he warned as he motioned his head to the left.
When I turned to look, I found my elderly neighbor, Mrs. Tate, standing beneath the tree. “Mrs. Tate ... I, um ... I didn’t see you standing there.”
“I’ve been trying to get Mr. Twiddles down from that tree for over an hour when this sweet boy came over and offered to help.” She tightened her grip on the lapel of her tattered pink bathrobe. “Isn’t he just the nicest young man?”
“Um-hmm.” I couldn’t believe my eyes. Mr. Rough and Tough was actually attempting to rescue my neighbor’s cat. Mrs. Tate looked up at Hawk like he was some kind of superhero as he continued further up the tree. When he got close enough, he reached out and grabbed the overweight orange tabby, carefully cradling him in his arms before starting back down. As soon as he got close enough, I asked, “You need a hand?”
Hawk shook his head as he made his way to the ground. “No, I’ve got it.”
“Thank you so much,” Mrs. Tate cried as she reached for Mr. Twiddles, kissing him as she cuddled him close to her chest. “You bad boy. You had me worried sick. I thought I’d lost you.”
“He’s all safe and sound now.”
“Thanks to you,” she replied. “I can’t thank you enough.”
“Don’t mention it. I was glad to help.”
Mrs. Tate looked down at her cat as she said, “I better get him inside. Thank you again.”
Hawk and I watched in silence as she shuffled up the steps and into her apartment. Once she’d made it inside, Hawk turned his attention to me. “Well, I guess I best get going … unless you need a hand with those groceries.”
“I’m good.” I wasn’t sure how to take Hawk actually being sweet. It made it harder to remember that he was one of the men who’d bought drugs from my brother and later tortured him. I wanted to believe that I’d witnessed another side to him—a side that was good, compassionate, and worth getting to know. It wasn’t that hard to believe. After all, he’d saved the day with both Mr. McClanahan and Mrs. Tate, so there was a possibility that there was more to him than I realized. The push and pull of it all was driving me nuts. I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to know for sure. It was the only way I’d ever be able to get him out of my head. Before I had a chance to talk myself out of it, I glanced down at my groceries and said, “I was planning on making dinner. Since you’re here and all, would you like to join me?”