filled my lungs as I exited the pharmacy, shoving the newly purchased lighter and necklace chain into the pocket of my jeans. They fit in next to the small candle I’d smuggled from one of the training bins this afternoon.
I hesitated at the curb. Using Saylor’s Arc-Jammer to sneak out again was foolish. Like, no-handing-a-scooter foolish. I was risking a second round of Clay’s wrath—a formidable consequence all on its own—and then there was the possibility of getting kicked out of the Breakpoint and losing Arc’s help, but this was something I had to do.
Anyone who’d lost someone close to them would understand the importance of honoring the person who’d given them so much. Understand the importance of remembering their smile, their smell, the sound of their voice, when those once-sharp details dulled over time—no matter how hard you tried to stop it. Would understand that even after all the pain and suffering, you would trade anything for one more moment with them.
That’s why I couldn’t break my promise. Not this year. Not after everything.
I pulled Saylor’s phone from the other pocket and reviewed the directions displayed on the screen. Now, all I needed to do was follow—
“Funny finding you here.” Kaden’s deep voice made me jump.
“Bell.” I placed a hand over my racing heart. “Next birthday, I’m gifting you a bell.”
“Only if it’s musical and makes my eyes sparkle.” Kaden grinned as he eyed the map on the screen. “Although, it looks like you won’t be sticking around until December. You making a run for it, Firefly?”
“Don’t call me that.” I glared at him, putting Saylor’s phone away. “And I wasn’t running for it. I just needed to… Wait. I thought you were helping with Asher. Why are you here? Were you following me?”
Kaden chuckled. “I think that line of questioning should offend me.”
I sent him an arched expression. “Remove the word think.”
Kaden placed a bionic hand over his heart. “You wound me, Firefly.”
“Hardly. And if you don’t want to be wounded, I suggest not stalking people.”
“I believe it’s pronounced lending a little extra supervision.”
Extra supervision? As in… “I don’t need a babysitter.” I pivoted away, hitting the crosswalk.
“I never said that.” Kaden easily caught up to me. “More like a trusted guide. Who knows what troubles await as you wander around out here?”
“I’m not wandering around.” I continued down the lit sidewalk as he kept pace. I sighed. “Any chance I can convince you to go home? Or am I stuck with you?”
“Like glue.” Kaden smiled, the breeze ruffling his midnight hair.
I pulled up short. “Why aren’t you dragging me back to the Breakpoint?”
“Do you want me to?”
My nose scrunched. “Well, no. But—”
“Then, here we are.” Kaden shrugged. “Your choice to go, and my choice to follow.”
Stunned, all I could do was start walking again as I tried not to read too much into his choices. Especially now. Kaden had never mentioned Raine. Never mentioned her while he teased and flirted with me or when we’d discussed having someone special.
I cringed, realizing Kaden had never specifically mentioned anyone, had he? Not being big into relationships and labels—or that type of distraction. So, why did it matter?
“Is there a destination at the end of this little treasure hunt?” Kaden asked. “It better not be a return trip to a certain Supply Site.” He gave me a pointed look. “A site that I know Decker knew nothing about.”
Damn, Kaden was sharp.
“There’s a destination.” I avoided his intense stare. “It’s the second star to the right.”
Kaden sent me an arched expression. “Do I look like a lost boy to you?”
“You probably don’t want me to answer that.” I spotted my target up ahead.
The brick building looked like most in the area, the industrial structures having been modernized. The specific shop I was searching for fronted the main street and wrapped the interior edge of a mid-block plaza, where several other businesses lined the common space with sectioned-off patios that were filled at this hour with mid-meal diners and post-work drinkers.
“A coffee shop?” Kaden asked as we reached the main entrance. “You realize we have one of these back at the Breakpoint, right?”
“I know.” I paused at the front door.
“A perfectly good one. With no travel time.” Kaden leaned in. “And no exposure.”
A pit formed in my stomach. It had been fine—well, relatively fine—when this mission had only involved me. My decision. My mission. My consequences. Now? Those consequences included him.
I could tell him to go, but I knew it’d be pointless. If his previous actions were any indication, he wasn’t one to just walk away and leave someone to fend for themselves. A comforting thought—not going to lie—even though my conscience was currently struggling in the guilt pool.
I should be the one to leave. Head back to the Breakpoint before Clay ever found out I’d left and keep Kaden from exposure. I should… But some things were worth the risk.
“No question, Breaking Grounds is great.” I glanced up into his piercing stare. “But they don’t have what I’m after.”
I pulled open the door and headed for the counter. The scent of freshly brewed coffee enveloped me. At this hour, only one other person was in line while a few others were scattered at various tables. When researching different doughnut places, I’d found a few good options, but this was the only one open late. I just hoped they still had some doughnuts left.
“Always the intrigue.” Kaden came up beside me. “What are you after, Firefly?”
Wasn’t that a loaded question. And based on his mischievous grin, he knew it, too.
“You’ll see.” I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
Kaden studied me before turning to look at the overhead menu.
The café was about half the size of Breaking Grounds, and instead of leaning into the industrial theme, they went for a chic contrast—gold trimmed accents and marble galore.
“Next?” a raspy female voice announced.
I stepped up to the counter. The young woman behind the register looked about college age with a long ponytail of black hair, a Hello Kitty choker, and a blue apron hugging her curvy frame. Her bored expression told me how ecstatic she was to be working at this late hour.
“Can I get an herbal tea and”—I peered over at the display case—“one of the blueberry cake doughnuts, please.”
Coffee-Kitty tapped away on her tablet. “Anything else?”
“Plus whatever he’s having.” I jacked my thumb at Kaden.
In a flash, Coffee-Kitty’s entire demeanor changed—flirt-mode activated. “And what may I get you?”
I couldn’t blame the barista for her reaction. Kaden was a double-shot of good-looking in anyone’s day. But that sharp sensation creeping up my chest again was frustrating—and wholly unnecessary.
“I’ll have a large cold brew,” Kaden said before sending me a cunning smile. “And two of your lemon cake doughnuts.”
Yep, he had definitely caught on to my goal.
“Those are absolutely stellar.” Coffee-Kitty smiled sweetly. “You won’t be disappointed.”
I bit my lip to keep from laughing. Clearly, I had made it into the non-threat category of her competition-or-not glance test. That, or she just had some brass ovaries. I couldn’t decide which.
After a few seconds of eyelash-batting, Coffee-Kitty finished ringing us up. I paid before she went to grab our doughy carbo-load.
“My adventure,” I said to Kaden. “My treat.”
He simply stared at me with a look I couldn’t quite decipher, making my smile falter. I couldn’t have offended him that much by paying. Come on, he had to have more self-confidence than that, right? Well, sorry, not sorry. Because feminism was here to stay—hear me roar and watch me soar.
A slow smile transformed his features, ensnaring me as he tugged a strand of my hair. “Thanks.”
My cheeks flushed as he faced the counter when the barista returned.
“Here you go.” Coffee-Kitty leaned forward, sliding the two pastry bags toward him.
Not wanting to witness the counter fail—or something even more damaging—I swiped the bags with a crinkle. “I’ll grab a table while you get the drinks.”
Pivoting without waiting for an answer, I headed out the patio door and into the balmy night air.