There’s this soundless pleading with the way his stare bores into me. I don’t bother trying to figure out what it means.
I pull my arm away. “I saved you, you saved me, we’re even. That’s it. There’s nothing else to talk about.”
“Claire, wait—”
I rush out of his place, shutting the door behind me and jogging down the stairs. I clench my jaw to distract myself from the overwhelming emotions pouring through me. I refuse to let something so stupid bother me.
Of course we aren’t friends. He’s made that clear from the very moment we crossed paths. But there’s something about the finality of hearing it come from his lips that unexpectedly pulls the rug out from under me.
I leave the confines of the complex and go in the direction of the bar we were at last night. That’s the last place I remember having them. I have a vague recollection of kicking them off the pool table during my dance number.
Yet another embarrassing moment to add to my growing list.
I squint to shield my eyes from the brightly shining sun and continue on my journey to freedom. I pass a closed-up food cart and a memory pops into my head.
I stop, bringing my hand to my chin. I had pizza sauce on my face, and he wiped it away. I sigh heavily. Could I have done anything else to make a fool of myself?
I keep walking, not bothering to sight-see any more on my trek to the bar.
The closed sign in the window sticks out like a sore thumb.
“Shit,” I mutter.
I knock anyway. Maybe someone’s inside. That’s not totally unreasonable, right? Businesses have to clean and prepare their staff at some point.
The clanking of the door unlocking is heaven to my ears.
I step back and a petite woman greets me.
“Can I help you?” She scans me up and down.
“Um, hi. I think I lost my keys here last night. I was wondering if you could check the lost and found for me? Pretty please.”
The lady pulls the door open to grant me access. “Sure. Come on in.”
I follow her over to the dimly lit bar.
She goes behind the counter and pulls out a basket. “Have at it.”
A wave of relief hits me when I spot mine sitting right on top of the mound. I snatch them off and hug them. “Thank you so much.”
“Yep.” She puts the container back in its place.
I let myself out and thank her again for helping me, feeling a crap ton better than I did when I went in there.
My throbbing head reminds me that I could really go for a cup of coffee. I detour past my building and into the one reliable thing I’ve found since I’ve been here.
Bram’s.
His smile is the first thing I see when I go into the café. “Claire.”
“Hey.” I wave while maneuvering myself around a small group of people to claim a spot at the counter.
I should have probably gone home first, taken a proper shower, and prepared for being in public. But given how stupid I was last night, having breakfast with yesterday's clothes on is the least of my worries.
Bram pours me a cup of coffee without asking and sets the shaker of cinnamon next to it. “Hungry?”
“Famished.” I glance at the board behind him. “I’ll have the blueberry pancakes and an order of bacon.”