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

shower anyway-the smell of smoke clung to her clothes, and she was honestly surprised she'd managed to hold onto him for

bed, quiet and still, fast asleep.

silent reminder that he wasn't really okay,

whispered, "I'll help you through this. You're

for an answer, she climbed into the small guest bed

of course, she couldn't

he'd try something else. She waited for any sign from the

hit her-the old man had no plans

else in the city would just see her, Clara, as the Ferguson family's bad luck charm-the one blamed for the sudden death

if Dylan still cared about the old lady, maybe he'd start having second

admit a thing. Gossip alone would be enough to get Dylan

labeled

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

through, Clara started to get

had used every dirty trick

glancing at Dylan, looking for any sign

since he'd woken up, he'd

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?"

you come back, I'll