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."

a little too quickly. "Alright,

smoke clung to her clothes, and she was honestly surprised she'd managed to

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 beneath messy hair. She gently pulled the

nightstand, a silent reminder

you

an answer, she climbed into the small guest

course,

mess really was the old man's doing, then maybe he'd try 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

as the Ferguson family's bad luck charm-the one blamed

old lady, maybe he'd

a thing. Gossip alone would be enough

got labeled

big family, 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

Clara started to get really

had used every dirty trick

mood was icy as she sat down for breakfast, glancing at Dylan, looking for any sign of how

he'd woken up, he'd

felt a 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

"Yeah?"

come back, I'll