Standing in the hot shower, I try to focus my mind on the feel of Sierra rubbing herself against my body. Her soft breasts in my hands and the sweet taste of her lips.

A wave of regret pours over me. I shouldn’t have done that to her. If she knew the filthy thoughts that went through my mind… I imagine her sitting at her house with dirt stains smudged against her white, clean dress. Does she regret it too?

I have to be at the shop at ten, but I get there at nine because I’m too restless to stay at home. We have a new shipment of supplies waiting to be unpacked and put away, so I get to work doing that, but it doesn’t take long so I’m done by 9:15, feeling more restless than ever.

I could text her. Her number is in my phone waiting for me to act, to engage with her to ease the pulse of tension in my spine. Thinking about her has me confused about whether I’m jonesing for a hit or if I’m jonesing for her. Either way, I’m in ecstasy.

By the time Murph comes in, I have the entire shop wiped down and sparkling. He seems impressed until he puts two and two together. “What’s up with you?” he asks through a side glance, his brows squeezed together and his thick, wide shoulders raised in question.

It takes me a minute to respond. I don’t want to declare my sobriety too soon. If I fail, it’s just another opportunity to let someone down. I don’t want to say it yet.

“I got that girl in my head,” I answer. He remembers Sierra from last night. He saw the way she lingered around me while I worked and how she couldn’t sit still with me around.

“Good,” he replies. “You need that girl in your life.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I’m not trying to be rude, but I can’t shake the feeling that Sierra deserves so much more than me, and I’m not trying to use her to better myself.

“I mean that she’s good for you. That you need someone nice in your life.”

“You’re nice,” I joke.

“I’m serious, Logan. You don’t need to be alone all the time.”

“She’s a spring breaker, Murph. She’ll be gone in a few days.”

He glares at me with his eyebrows raised and his head tipped in my direction as if he knows something I don’t. So I wait for him to continue. “Logan. From the way that girl was looking at you yesterday, someone will have to drag her out of Wicked by her feet.”

“That doesn’t change anything. She’s just another rich girl who wants a romp with a freaky local.”

He stops what he’s doing and turns toward me. “Look me in the eye and tell me that with a straight face.”

I turn toward him, but my shoulders lack the confidence to repeat it. So I shrug and say, “I don’t want to get attached.”