Behind Her Eyes

Chapter 01

Cozy

The store was quiet, save for the steady hum of the fluorescent lights and the occasional sound of bottles clinking as I stocked the shelves. The night shift wasn't glamorous, but there was a calm in its rhythm, a sense of control I found oddly comforting. I slid a few more cold medicine boxes into place when the muffled shouts from outside caught my attention.

Stepping closer to the window, I watched as a figure intervened in a fight between two drunk men. It was Jeremiah, his posture calm but firm as he spoke to them, hands open at his sides in that way of his, as if reminding them he wasn't a threat, until he needed to be. 

His voice, too low for me to hear, carried a steady accent that seemed to lighten the tension. One man shook his head, muttering something before backing away, while the other muttered a few words of thanks before moving on.

As he turned, our eyes met, just for a moment, and there was a small, reassuring nod from him. I gave a polite, if fleeting, smile, before going back inside. My customer was waiting patiently at the counter, and I finished the transaction with the same quiet efficiency I'd kept all night. 

Once I'd counted the till and closed up, I slipped out of the pharmacy, deciding to stop by the bistro.

Maya looked up as I walked in, waving me over to the counter where she was stacking silverware. 

"Finally! You know, I was about to send out a search party. Long shift?"

"Long, but uneventful," I replied, slipping behind the counter to help with a few orders. "Well, mostly."

She raised an eyebrow, curiosity lighting up her face. "Mostly, you say?"

"There was a little fight out on the street," I said, pulling my apron around my waist. "Jeremiah stepped in and handled it well, as he does."

Maya chuckled. "Of course he did. Mr. Peacekeeper. He probably made them feel like they'd shaken hands and signed a truce."

"Something like that," I agreed, smiling softly. "It was all very civil, considering it started out with fists."

"Did he see you?"

"We crossed paths for a moment," I said, shrugging. "A nod, nothing more."

Maya smirked. "And still, he's probably got you in his thoughts for the rest of the night."

I shook my head. "Hardly," I said, but the warmth in her voice made it hard not to smile.

"Oh! Don't forget," Maya added, leaning closer. "We're due at the group home tomorrow morning. You know, since that sponsor's dropping off gifts."

"Yes, I remember," I said, the thought softening my features. "It's been a while since we've had something like this to look forward to there. The kids will be thrilled."

Just then, the bell over the door chimed, and I looked up to see Jeremiah himself, his calm demeanor as unruffled as ever. He gave us both a warm smile as he approached, hands in his jacket pockets.

"Fancy meeting you two here," he said with a chuckle, his gaze settling on me with a familiar, quiet intensity. "I was about to head home. Thought I'd see if you needed a lift."

Maya gave me a gentle nudge, her grin entirely too pleased. "Oh, now isn't that considerate?"

I rolled my eyes at her, hiding a smile before turning back to him. 

"I suppose I could use one. Thank you, Miah."

He nodded, gesturing to the door. "Let's go, then."

As we left the bistro, I glanced back at Maya, who gave me a wink and a thumbs-up. I just shook my head, my heart a little warmer than it had been all evening.