Meet Scarlett Striker, a bold and quirky journalist for the Seattle Times. She's fun, confident, sassy, and just the right amount of weird. Scarlett is determined to rise to the top, no matter what it takes.
When her boss offers a golden opportunity...
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I've been buried in work for the next few days, trying to push away the memories of James, the murder, and everything that comes with him. I keep telling myself that I'm doing fine. That I can handle all of this. But the more I try to ignore it, the more it lingers in the back of my mind.
I feel someone stop at my desk and I look up and see Adriel standing there, smiling that disarming smile of his.
"Hey, I brought you something," he says and placing a coffee cup on my desk. It's my favorite, the one he's notice me bring to the office. "Thought you could use a pick-me-up."
I smile gratefully, wrapping my hands around the cup. "Thanks. You really know how to spoil me, huh?"
Adriel chuckles as he sits on the edge of my desk. He's casual, easygoing. He makes everything feel lighter, like the world isn't crushing in on me when he's around. "You look like you could use a break. Come on, let's get out of here. Even reporters need fresh air."
I hesitate, but the way he's looking at me makes it hard to say no. I could use a break, and besides, being around Adriel has a way of grounding me. It's like a temporary escape from everything James and his world have thrown at me.
"Alright," I finally agree, standing up and grabbing my jacket. "Where are we going?"
"You'll see." His eyes gleam with mischief, and for the first time in a while, I feel a little spark of excitement.
Adriel ends up taking me to this quiet little coffee shop tucked away on a corner I didn't even know existed. The place is cozy, with dim lighting, plush chairs, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you forget the world outside. We sit down in a corner booth, and for the first time in weeks, I let myself relax.
"So," Adriel says, leaning back in his seat. "What's going on with you lately? You've seemed...distracted."
I shrug, trying to brush it off. "Just a lot on my mind."
He studies me for a moment, and I can feel his eyes on me, like he's seeing past the walls I've built. "You know, you can talk to me. You don't always have to carry everything alone."
There's something so genuine in his voice that it hits me harder than I expect. I haven't had someone offer to share the weight like that in...I can't remember how long. Not since James, and we all know how well that's turned out.
"I know," I murmur, looking down at the coffee in my hands. "I'm just...I don't even know where to start."
Adriel doesn't push. He just sits there, waiting, like he's willing to be patient with me no matter how long it takes. And maybe that's what I need right now. Someone who isn't demanding, who isn't expecting something from me.
Finally, I let out a breath. "It's this guy," I admit, my voice soft. "He's...he's dangerous, Adriel. And I don't know how I got mixed up in all of this, but I can't seem to find a way out."
