Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Clara sat on the edge of the bed while he sat on the floor, close enough for comfort-like a big, lost puppy needing a little warmth.

Her hand paused for a moment, fingers threading gently through his damp hair. With her other hand, she raised the blow dryer a bit higher.

She didn't push him away. Tonight, Dylan really did seem like a stray, drenched by the rain and desperate for somewhere to belong.

After seven minutes, his hair was finally dry.

She thought he'd let go, but he didn't.

Clara unplugged the blow dryer and wound up the cord, not sure what to say next.

Should she nudge him away? He clearly needed comfort right now.

But if she didn't, they couldn't just stay like this forever.

She glanced at the wall clock-almost ten.

"Dylan, you should get some sleep."

He mumbled, "Mm," but still didn't move.

Clara ruffled his hair. "Come on, get some rest. We'll figure everything out together tomorrow."

He pressed his head gently against her waist, nuzzling her like he didn't want to let go. "Okay."

so she stood up a

her clothes, and she was honestly surprised

When she came out, he was already lying on the bed, quiet and still, fast asleep. Clara walked over and looked at his face, half-hidden

little good luck charm sat on the nightstand, a silent reminder that he wasn't really okay, no matter

you through this.

she climbed into the

of course,

something else. She waited for any sign from the family estate. But the night passed quietly; nothing happened at

hit her-the old man had

family's bad luck charm-the one blamed for the sudden death

cared about the old lady, maybe he'd start

admit a thing. Gossip alone would be enough to

got labeled as

it didn't matter how capable you were-you'd be pushed out. Just like that kid years ago, the one everyone said was born under an unlucky

started to

used every dirty trick he

sat down for breakfast, glancing at

woken up, he'd

little guilty and put some food on his plate. "You're staying here at Palm Bay today. Don't worry about Ferguson Corporation-I'll take care of

"Yeah?"

long as you come