After a very filling and delicious breakfast, Gavin brings up the dreaded conversation.

“I don’t want to poke at anything sensitive or anything, but I remember you saying something about not having a job anymore, correct?”

“Yes. Why?”

“And you also don’t have somewhere to stay?”

“Besides a crappy motel room, no.”

“Then come stay with me for a bit.”

I knew he was going to ask this eventually.

“Gavin, I heard you loud and clear last night. We just met.”

“I’m not asking you to be my girlfriend, Skye.”

The harshness in his tone catches me off-guard. He’s been nothing but nice and welcoming and here I am being a complete jerk.

“I didn’t think you were.”

“Come on, you stayed last night and found out that I’m not a creepy stalker. Why can’t you get your stuff from the motel and come back here. I already said you could work as a singer at the bar. You’ll have a job and a safe place to stay.”

“Gavin…”

He takes a step towards me, placing his hands on my shoulders. I can’t help but allow my eyes to travel up and over his skin again. Words, symbols, and images cover his skin. I’m able to decipher some of them. An arrow with blood dripping from the tip. A creepy looking eyeball. Either a raven or a crow.

When he speaks, he startles me out of my thoughts.

“Please, Skye. At least for a week. If you hate it at the end of a week, then I’ll help get you back to the motel where you can stay until who knows when.”

His offer is extremely tempting. Pros and cons on the whole situation.

“Fine! Just for a week!”

The grin on his face makes it impossible for me not to smile in return.