Page 1 of You Saw the Best In Me

KARINA

I’m perfectly fine on my own, but being in a brand-new place is lonely. It’s my first night in a new town, a new apartment, and another new start. It’s just me, my cat, and small boxes of belongings.

I travel light because I’ve been on the run since I was eighteen, and whenever I have to relocate, it’s easier to pack boxes versus a bed or couch. My old roommate gave me the bed I slept in at her place, so thankfully, I have a mattress to sleep on.

I sit on the hardwood floor, eating Chinese takeout from the container, wondering how much longer I can survive like this.

Living with Juliette was the happiest I’d been in years, and it fucking sucks that Asher has taken that away from me.

Now, I’m hours away from that old life and starting afresh in Forest Falls.

But, wherever I put roots down, I’m constantly looking over my shoulder, hoping today isn’t the day he’s found me again.

The fear of Asher finding me is consuming, and I accepted long ago that I’ll never lead a normal life. I don’t know why I bother getting close to people anymore; I always have to flee.

This town seems cozy enough, and maybe I’ll get lucky and make a few friends to keep me from feeling lonely.

Once again, I need to shop for furniture, find a new job, and settle into an unfamiliar place. This apartment is lovely and very spacious, considering I have nothing substantial taking up space.

I hope it’ll feel like home when I fill it with things that bring me happiness. I spend the rest of the night shopping online, ordering new decorations, and filling my cart with everything I need to make this place feel less empty.

“Fuck!” I scream, dropping three packages down the stairs. My voice echoes in the stairwell, and I have no clue why I didn’t just make two trips. The last thing I need to do is embarrass myself in front of my fellow tenants.

“Do you need any help?” A tall, blonde man asks me, and I can’t help but notice his dark green eyes.

I stare at him way longer than I should, and he looks annoyed.

“Uh, no thanks. I got it, thanks,” I say, my voice trembling.

Color me fucking embarrassed. I don’t know how to form a proper sentence.

“Suit yourself,” the handsome, green-eyed man pushes by me, racing down to the door.

I sigh deeply, gathering my shit and struggling the rest of the way.

I finally return to my apartment, dropping all the boxes on the floor and slamming the door behind me.

It’s been five days since I moved here, and I’ve carried so many boxes up and down the stairs my muscles are exhausted. On the bright side, I now have a couch to sit on, and I decorated the place with plants, candles, and a cute area rug that April loves.

I’ve set up her cat tree and hung a hammock on the window so she can stalk birds and squirrels all day. It’s just me and my cat in this lonely ass town; how pathetic is that?

I pour a tall glass of wine, admiring my work and wishing I had someone to share it with. I sent pictures to Juliette, and she was so excited, but having her – or anyone – here would make it so much better.

My computer lights up with a new email, and I glance it over before realizing it’s from the salon I applied to. I have an interview later this week and am excited to return to work.

I don’t love doing hair, but the first time I found myself on the run, I had to make a choice, and I knew needed something stable. One of the many sacrificial decisions I had to make early on in my adult life.

Years later, and I’m still in the same profession, but salons are always hiring, and I need job security to survive, especially when I’m constantly running.

I like it, but it’s another thing my ex stole from me. Salon gossip is a perk of the job, though, and I could use a couple of girlfriends to shoot the breeze with.

I decide to celebrate, turning up the music and dancing around my living room. Finally, the first good thing that’s happened to me in a while, and I refuse to be down on myself or my situation — at least for tonight.

MAVERICK

Idrive home in a daze; work kicked my ass today, but that’s not what’s got me stressed. The bills from my grandmother’s most recent hospital stay have piled up, and I can’t catch up quickly enough.

All I want to do is kick back with a cold beer, leftover pizza and fall asleep to the sound of any sports game.