Page 28 of Frost Bitten
Work today is pleasantly busy. Switching out the marketing for the winter months, including the new flavored syrups, takes all day, plus we have a steady influx of customers throughout the day. Ella and I have fun with chalk markers on the chalkboard, drawing up various winter treats. She’s been acting wary of me, but last night, and honestly, the last few days with the guys have made a world of difference. I haven’t felt this good in weeks, and I’m just thankful I have support.
The workday passes, and I grab Lily and head home. I help her with a bit of homework and then fix dinner for us all. After Mom gets home, and we eat, I grab my bag with my books and laptop and place a quick kiss on the munchkin’s head. I don’t have long till I told Ash I’d meet him at Lift, so I haul ass to the Jeep. The weather is starting to get really cold, so I’m glad I keep a faux fur-lined hat in my bag. The wind has picked up tonight, and I’m miserable when my ears are cold.
I arrive a short time later and walk in to find Ash already has a coffee at the table for me. Of course, I only have eyes for my coffee, so I nearly miss Ella snuggled up with him.
“Oh, I’m sorry, guys,” I stumble through the words, slightly embarrassed I might have caught them in a private moment.
“No worries, girl,” Ella says as she gathers her stuff. “Ash just got here early, and when I got off work, I decided to hang until you got here. I’m headed home. I have to open tomorrow.”
I slide into the opposite booth, flashing her a grin. “Ok, girl, drive carefully. The wind is getting dangerous.”
“Ah, I’ll be alright,” she argues. “But I’ll still text you both when I get home. Now, study. I know you have a test coming up.” She leans down and gives Ash a kiss on the cheek before offering me a wave and a big grin before backing out the door.
* * *
Ash and I end up closing down Lift, studying until they lock the doors. I’m really concerned about this Marketing and Sales Statistics class. If it was just marketing, I’d be ok, but the statistics part is what is driving me up a wall. Ash is trying his best to help, but I think I missed too much instruction when I dazed off in the lectures. I say goodnight, heading home to study some more. I figure studying the core concepts of the chapters this test is supposed to cover won’t hurt.
The next morning, I fuel up with breakfast and coffee before taking Lily to school. I start the day with a smile on my face, at least. I’m able to talk to Corey as I walk out of my house, confirming dinner tonight.Grabbing another coffee on the way couldn’t hurt, right?I ask myself as I stop by Lift once more. Considering I was up until two am studying, I figure I need all the hopes and prayers today. I make it to school and hit the restroom before the test, knowing two cups of coffee will make me have to pee at the worst time.
As I enter the lecture hall, I see Ashton. I wave and smile as I make my way to him.
“Are you ready?” he asks. “Do you feel comfortable?”
“I feel like whatever I do will be my best, considering everything, and I’ll be ok with that.” I nod my head. I guess I need to convince myself, too. I sit down and prep my testing supplies, knowing this is worth a good chunk of my grade. I can only hope for passing, at this point.
The professor hands out the test, and the next two hours fly by. I take every single minute of that test to check and double-check my answers, and while IthinkI did ok, I won’t know till next week. Ash and I head to the student center to grab lunch before his next class, and I finally feel like I have a weight lifted from my shoulders. It’s as if now I don’t care how I did on the test, and that is ok. After lunch, we say our goodbyes, and Ash heads to the other side of campus while I trek back to the parking lot.
I’m so busy with thoughts about picking up Lily that I don’t notice the note under the wiper until I’ve already backed out of my parking spot. I pull over quickly and climb out of my door to grab it, but when I flip it over, chills run down my spine.
Tick Tock, tick tock. Your clock is running out.
* * *
I race to my meeting with Dr. F, fighting off the panic attack with each turn of my steering wheel. I can’t relax for the entire appointment; I’d just started to feel like myself again before I got that note from Jason. Dr. Francis says he’s obviously still watching me, and that this is his way of telling me I won’t get away. Luckily, she gives me a prescription sample right there to help calm me and then writes one for me to keep on hand in case this happens again. She reminds me to contact Detective Wallace and turn in the note, and while we are fighting stalking laws, he hasn’t done anything against the law since the night of Halloween. She advises me to just be vigilant and to watch everywhere.
I walk out feeling physically calmer, thanks to the medicine, but internally I am still a mess. I text Ella while sitting in the car line waiting for Lily, and she confirms that I just need to live my life. That’s all I can do, at least for now. My insides are trying to climb out of my skin due to the anxiety, but knowing I have shit to do today, I resolve to lock it all down.
Once I have Lily, I calm down a bit more, and I think I am able to act somewhat normal. Lily doesn’t ask any questions when I tell her we needed to go shopping, and the bright smile she gives me continues to bandage my bruised heart. We park in the street parking near Plein Air, and I walk around the back of the Jeep, I help Lily down, and then lock up.
“Alright, chickie,” I pipe up, trying to sound cheerful. “We’re heading in to get you winter gear, as pretty soon snow will be falling. We have to make sure you bundle up.”
“Yay, clothes! Boo, for everyday snow!” she giggles, and I chuckle right along with her. She really enjoyed the South this past spring and summer, but I can’t wait to teach her how to snowboard in the beautiful backcountry of the Colorado mountains.
We start with getting her snow boots. We work through about six different pairs, and she finally decides on a pair she likes. Tucking the box under my arm, we head toward the children’s outerwear section. While Lily dances around, I try to find a winter jacket that she might wear. I begin to get frustrated, but it’s not her fault. She’s getting bored, and I still have a hat and gloves to find for her. The fact that she keeps running and hiding in the clothing racks at least amuses me slightly, reminding me of the day I met Bast.
“Lily, come on!” Exasperated, I beg for her to comply for just a few more minutes, as we’re almost done. She giggles as she climbs out from the clothing rack next to me, but freezes when a man’s voice addresses us both.
“Ladies, so good to see you again.” I spin, startled. When I see Dominic, I sigh with relief that it’s someone friendly.
“Hi, Mr. Dominic. Sorry, we’ve been here for about an hour, and I’m so bored.” A blush flares up my neck and cheeks at her bratty behavior, but Dom only chuckles.
“Oh, really… I feel like your sister probably doesn’t want to be here any more than you do, Lily.” His low, amused voice hooks her, and she immediately calms down to focus on him. “Have you thought about what she’s getting out of this experience, hmm? She’s helping out your mom, right? Is she buying anything for herself? Or is she concentrating on making sure you have everything you need, and helping your mom by taking the time out of her day?”
Lily drops her head to the side, contemplating his question, before looking back up at him. “You know, I never thought of it like that. Cait does a lot for Mom, but I never saw it as her doing a lot for me, too.”
“Well,” Dom continues, “why don’t you show her how much you appreciate what she does, and maybe consider working with her in situations like this? It might make it go faster.”
She beams at him before replying, “I can do that!”
