“And don’t say this is about business being slow.” She says it low enough that Logan doesn’t hear over the bumping of the track.

I wave him over, and the three of us stand together in my office. I already hate this. There’s a reason I don’t open up very often. It’s uncomfortable as hell.

“You heard Savannah talk about my aunt. She was my last foster mom’s sister, and she is the person who owns this shop.”

Logan shifts in his seat, his brow creased as he listens intently.

“She’s dying, and I’m staying at her place to make sure everything is settled properly for her.”

I notice Sierra’s jaw drop when I say ‘dying,’ but I can’t react to it. I have to just pretend I’m not saying these words so they don’t claw their way into my emotions.

“The girl you met is my aunt’s new...nurse, or something like that, but I’m not convinced she’s not after every fucking penny, so I’m keeping a very close eye on her. We’re not...you know.”

Logan and Sierra glance at each other and then at me. I wish one of them would talk already to fill the silence since I stopped. Naturally, Sierra is the first to pipe up.

“First of all, I’m so sorry about your aunt. I think this is hitting you more than you’re letting on, but I won’t push. But second of all, do you think you’re being a little paranoid about this girl stealing from her? She seemed like a nice girl—”

“You haven’t even met her,” I bite back and catch Logan’s hard stare for interrupting Sierra. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine. You’re right, but I’m a pretty good judge of character. And you’re an intimidating hard ass with an attitude problem...so you know...go easy on her.”

I can’t help but laugh. I can’t possibly tell them that ‘going easy on her’ is the last thing I want to do, but admitting that would be a whole new fucked up layer to add.

On the quiet walk home, I can’t stop thinking about the way Murph looked, bent over the tattoo chair, deep in concentration on someone’s full sleeve piece. The music was blaring, and he tried playing the cold shoulder on me when I checked in to see if he was going to give me a ride back or if I should walk.

I spent a few minutes chatting with his co-worker, the good-looking younger guy with a dangerous smile, but he didn’t quite have the overwhelming presence that Murph does.

The tree lined streets create a quiet, calming atmosphere for my walk. Tall Magnolia trees hug the cobblestone sidewalks, while the beautiful colonial houses stand silently on either side. There aren’t many people on the road at this hour, and it gives me plenty of time to really clear my head.

I’ve been on the island since last summer, almost a full year of seasons passing by, and now as summer approaches, I have to start accepting that this chapter is over, and it’s almost time to move on. It was a beautiful blessing of a chapter that I do not deserve. Hazel came along without warning, and I never would have guessed my escape from my past life would end like this.