After last night’s drama with Slade, I took a thirty-minute shower. The entire episode scared the hell out of me. First, the motorcycle club. And then his zone-out in the car. Can I even call it that? I could see him compulsively touching his brow before moving into a trance. His eyes fluttering, as though he was seeing something I couldn’t see. I wasn’t sure what to do. I waited, frightened. Then, I touched him, and it was as though he was shaken out of it.

I’m just not sure which way to turn. I’m having an amazing time with him, but there’s something lurking beneath his surface.

Pushing away thoughts of Slade and my impending departure, I stand up on shaky legs but straighten myself out. I’ll deal with my personal stuff later. Right now, I’ve got to focus on helping Mary, a woman who’s been staying here for the last two weeks. Eve has already filed the necessary paperwork to keep her abusive husband away from her and their children. But it’s time for us to discuss ways to get her back on her feet.

I’m turning the corner to our small conference room when Eve stops me.

“Tomorrow night is the opening of Hook. You’re coming, right? Vincent has some fancy-pants PR firm working the event.”

“I’ll be there with you. So long as you promise we can have a few drinks together. I seriously need it.”

One more week—that’s all I have left. I want to break down and tell her about what’s been happening with Slade and how badly I need some girl time, but we’re at work, and I know Eve too well. She would not appreciate coffee talk at a time when a client is waiting.

“Perfect. You’ll love it. It’s not casual,” she says with laughter. “You’ll get to doll your gorgeous self,” she adds with a wink. “Oh, and by the way, I got a threatening letter from one of the ex-husbands, so just make sure you stay focused on what’s around you.”

“Don’t you have security?”

“We do. Slade also comes a few nights a week to make sure all the locks are secure and families feel safe.”

“He does?” I can feel my eyes widening.

“Yep. He’s awesome like that.” She smiles knowingly.

I want to have a good game face, but I don’t. My face blushes crimson.

Turning on my red Gucci loafers, I step into the small conference room that is designed to look like a warm den. Eve believes a setting like this is more comfortable for these women as opposed to a cold, rectangular table and too many chairs. Mary is already seated on a floral love seat, face filled with worry at seeing my new face.

“Hi, Mary. I’m Lauren. I’ve reviewed all the paperwork you filled out, and I’m ready to discuss possible job placement for you. But, before we get into that, tell me how you’re all doing.”

Tears fill her eyes as she describes her older daughter, already sixteen, who, yesterday, brought her a college pamphlet for the local community college that she’d gotten from the teen room. “It’s only been a few weeks, but we already feel like we’re going to make this happen.”