Page 73 of Unsealing Her Fate

A broad smile spreads across his lips. “Yes, it’s a yes.”

Without thinking, I grab his hand across the table and give it a squeeze. “Thank you, Jack!”

He looks down at my hand, and I nearly jerk back when I realize what I’ve done. Before I can, he covers mine with his other hand.

“You’re welcome,” he says with another smile before pulling his hand away from mine.

I instantly miss the warmth of his skin against mine. I bite my lip, trying to stop my smile from spreading wider.

“What about rent?” I ask cautiously, trying to get myself back under control. I hope it won’t be much more than what I’m paying to stay at the motel.

Jack rubs the stubble on his jawline and eyes me for a moment. He shrugs. “Just cover the increase in the utilities, and that’ll be fine. I’m not trying to make a profit from you being there.”

I stare, unblinking for a moment, in disbelief.Why is he so willing to help me?Had Irene outed my secret to him?No, she wouldn’t have. Especially with all it sounds like she’s been through. I might not know the story, but her careful words suggest she’s experienced far more than anyone should have to.

“Are you sure?” I ask. While I want him to be serious, I need to make sure he’s thinking it through.

“I’m sure.” He stands and looks around. “It doesn't look like you’ll have much to move. I can come over in my truck when you’re ready.” After pulling his wallet from his back pocket, he opens it and pulls out a business card before handing it to me. “Give me call when you’re ready. I live a mile or so past the café, so I can be over anytime.”

I look up from the card in my hand to meet his eyes. “Thanks, Jack. I really appreciate this. I’ll do my best to not overstay my welcome.”

“No hurry, Andi,” he says, opening the door. “Talk to you soon.”

“Yeah, talk to you soon,” I reply as he walks out and closes the door behind him.

I peek out the curtain, ensuring he’s gone from earshot. I can’t contain my excitement for another second. I let out a squeal, jumping up and down. I’m getting out of this motel!

I grab my suitcase and toss it open on the bed. Did he mean today? I could have packed my handful of things while he waited. I laugh at that thought. Folding some of my clothes and placing them in my suitcase, I look around while trying to decide what else I can pack.

I spot my painting; the one Charlie made such a fuss over. I’ll take it to the café tomorrow. I won’t take that over to Jack’s place. I’m not ready for him to know about my painting yet. Note to self: tell Charlie to keep her big mouth closed about it!

I decide not to call him today to come back and get me. That couldn’t appear more desperate. Besides, I’m paid up here until Saturday, so I might as well stay until then.

After putting my suitcase away, I sit at the foot of the bed and think. He said the place needs cleaning. I can ask him if I can go over after work each day until it’s ready for me to move in. That’s more sensible.

I make myself a quick salad for dinner and sit in silence as I eat. I look around the drab motel room and a small smile pulls at my lips at the thought of leaving here soon.

After I finish eating, I stand and start getting settled for the night. I slip pajamas on and wash my face. I’m ready to stretch out for the night. Grabbing the remote, I snuggle in under the blanket and remember the Chromebook that’s tucked safely under the other side of the mattress.

I hop back out of bed and round the end to grab it, hoping there will be an email from Adalyn. After settling back in, I open it and power it on before scanning my emails. It’s amazing how much junk mail I get even though the email address has only existed a few days. There’s nothing from Addy yet, so I close it back and toss it on the bed beside me.

I turn the TV on but only for background noise. I’ve never heard so much quiet in my life until I landed at the Fraser Motel.

Resting my head against the pillow that’s lumpy as can be, I can’t help but hope that Jack has better pillows. I giggle to myself. At first, I was reluctant to even entertain the thought of moving into his garage apartment. Charlie made a good point, though. I certainly would feel safer living closer to a detective.

Even if it was Charlie who scared the hell out of me last night, it really could have been anyone. That’s a terrifying and sobering thought. It’s also probably a good idea to not stay in one place for too long. At least, until I know what’s going on with Christopher. I know he won’t ever let the idea go of making me pay for what I did to him.

Or what heperceivesI did to him.

With a huff, I turn onto my side and face the windows. The curtains are closed. I won’t make that mistake again. Springs poke into my side, and I assume there’s probably a better bed at Jack’s, too. Only paying the utility increases should free up a decent amount of money. That will help with eventually getting into my own place.

I doze off while going over all the reasons it’s okay to make the move. I reach up and flip the lamp off, allowing sleep to take me away.

Chapter 25

It’sThursdaymorning,andthere are a million things on my mind. The recording Addy got. What everything means. Getting over to Jack’s to start cleaning.

I’m also nervous about hanging my painting at the café. I don’t know why I’m nervous. There is literally no pressure with it. I think it’s just years of suppressing the deep desire to do so only to come here and everything be completely different. My brain hasn’t caught up to the fact that it’s okay to show my art. One step at a time until my head catches up with my heart, I guess.

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