I stood up and made my way downstairs to the kitchen. The loud chatter of customers instantly infiltrated my head, especially the squeals and cries of children. They always seemed to hit an octave that stood out to me, grinding inside my brain like a metal fork on a plate.

The water splashed onto my T-shirt as I rinsed the mug. Then I put it into one of three dishwashers.

Hector smiled at me as he rounded the corner, wiping his hands on his apron. “Are you going to get outside and see the world today, Miss Falyn?” he asked.

I sighed. “Are you ever going to stop calling me that?”

Hector just smiled, carrying on with his duties.

Phaedra’s face appeared in the food window. “Hey, kiddo. What do you have planned today?”

“Nothing.” I took a bite of celery that had been left on the prep table.

Pete slapped my hand as I grabbed for another, and I tried not to laugh.

My grin fell away. “He said I had a nightmare,” I said to Pete.

He frowned.

“It’s been a long time … since …” I said, trailing off.

Phaedra came over to stand next to me and gently pulled on one of my tawny waves, moving it away from my face. “You sure you don’t have anything planned?” she asked.

“Yes. Why?”

She gestured behind her with a nod. “Because that boy’s here, looking for you.”

I scrambled to the doors, pushing through to see Taylor standing on the sidewalk outside. He waved to me.

“He likes you,” Kirby gushed as I passed her.

Taylor shoved his hands into his jeans pockets, his short sleeves showing off the lean muscles in his arms.

“If you tell me you were in the neighborhood, I’m going to be disappointed,” I said, crossing my arms.

He chuckled and looked down. “No. I was bored and came straight over.”

“You have the day off, too?”

“I do. Wanna do some stupid touristy shit with me? You listed all that stuff before.”

“Are you driving? I don’t have a car.”

“My truck is over there,” he said, turning slightly and gesturing toward a shiny black foreign job with mud tires. He turned back to me, dubious. “How do you get around?”

“Where am I gonna go?” I asked.

Taylor held out his hand, one side of his mouth pulling into a mischievous half smile. “With me.”

My first impulse was to say no. I had gotten used to being broody and spitting words that would make any man retreat, but I didn’t have to do that with Taylor. My insults had no effect on him, and he’d just keep coming back until it was time for him to leave. If I managed to get him to take me to Eakins, I wouldn’t even have to push him away after our return to Colorado Springs. His job and the distance would do it for me.