I wake up the next morning to the depressing prospect of spending another whole day hanging around Gunner’s house. Within half an hour of getting up, I am already going completely and utterly stir-crazy.

Back in Lynchburg, I never seemed to have even a moment to myself. Between working as many hours as I could scrape together at Valuland, taking care of mom while she was sick, and trying really hard to keep up on paying bills and not losing the house, I could have used roughly thirty-six hours in every day.

And even then, I probably would have only managed about four hours of sleep a night.

But here in Tanner Springs, with all sorts of time on my hands and nothing to do but wait? Every minute seems to last an hour. And now I don’t even have a damn car anymore.

It’s not until I go into the kitchen for some breakfast that I see the note Gunner left for me on the counter underneath his phone number.

He must have come here looking for me when I was on my way to the Smiling Skull yesterday.

He wasn’t angry with me then.

God. Everything is so fucked up.

I’m slogging through a meal of cold cereal and feeling generally sorry for myself when my phone buzzes. It’s Gunner. The text is brief, and neutral.

Later on today. Great. That could mean anything.

Even though I’m still feeling chastised from last night, I’m frustrated enough that I can’t help but send him a snarky text in response:

I know I’m being unkind. After all, Gunner shouldn’t have to stop his life just because he said he’d help me find my sister. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t wish he could move just a little faster.

Maybe he’ll have some news to tell me when I see him later. A girl can hope, anyway.

After taking a shower and wandering aimlessly through the house for a while, I decide I need to get out of here and get some fresh air. I might as well spend the day exploring Tanner Springs on foot. I have no idea how far it is to the downtown area, but it’s not like I have any pressing appointments later. Frankly the longer it takes me to get there and back, the less time I’ll spend driving myself crazy turning in circles here at the house.

I slip on a pair of flip flops and head outside. Since I don’t know much about the town except that we’re on the east end of it, I decide just to head west. I walk slowly, to kill time, and eventually start seeing signs pointing me to the “business district.” I turn left and continue walking in that direction. Pretty soon, I come up on a main street lined with shops on either side. The street covers several blocks, and my spirits lift just a little bit. If I take my time, I can probably waste a few hours wandering up and down exploring the shops.

I cross the street to the shady side, and start strolling. I pass by a thriving hardware store, a pharmacy, an ice cream place, a couple of beauty salons. Briefly, I consider going into one of the salons and getting a badly-needed trim, but I’m pretty sure I can’t afford it

After about twenty minutes of wandering, I reach the end of the main drag. I cross the street and head back in the other direction. I go past a clothing store I can’t afford, a pizza place that’s not open for the day yet, and eventually stop in front of an inviting-looking coffee shop called the Golden Cup. I decide to spend a few dollars of my meager stash on a cup of something caffeinated. I skipped making coffee this morning, and sitting down for a few minutes sounds really inviting right now. Besides, after last night I could use something to cheer me up.

Inside, the atmosphere is warm and comforting. Dark wood and exposed brick walls give the shop a funky, homey vibe. About a third of the tables are occupied. Behind the counter, a strikingly pretty redhead is talking on a cell phone. When she sees me walk in, she flashes me a friendly smile and puts the phone down behind her.

“Hi, there. Welcome to the Golden Cup,” she says.

“Hi,” I smile back at her. I realize this is the first real interaction I’ve had with anyone in Tanner Springs except for Gunner. The cashier at the grocery store doesn’t count, because she didn’t actually say words and seemed determined to avoid eye contact at all costs.

“I just finished decorating some cake bites,” the redheaded woman says, pointing to a sample plate in front of her. “Feel free to help yourself.”

“Thanks.” I’m not about to turn down free sugar, especially not on my budget. The cake bites are about the size of a donut hole, and frosted in bright, happy colors. I select a blue one with sprinkles. Instead of popping the whole thing in my mouth, I bite it in half to make it last. The cake itself is moist and chocolatey, just sweet enough, and absolutely delicious.

“Oh, wow,” I say when I’ve swallowed. “That’s amazing!”

The redhead grins at me. “Thanks! I’m glad you like it. Some of the moms who come in here requested them for their little ones. So they can give them a treat that’s not as big as a cookie or a muffin. Or as messy.”

“I’m pretty sure these will be a big hit.” I pop the other half of the cake bite into my mouth. So good.

“I’m Sydney, by the way,” she says. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in the shop before.”

“I’m not from around here,” I tell her. “I’m just in town for a few days. My name’s Alix.”

“Nice to meet you, Alix.”

“Thank you.” I cock my head. “Is this your shop?”

“Yes, it is,” she says proudly. “I’ve been open about a year.”

“It’s really nice,” I say sincerely. “Comfortable.”

“Thanks!” She looks around the shop. “I took kind of a leap of faith opening it. I came here to Tanner Springs more or less on a whim. Luckily, everything seems to be working out.”

“Oh, you’re not from here either?” I ask. I feel a little weird asking, like I’m prying, but she doesn’t seem to notice.

“Nope. I’m from Jersey,” she says. “You?”

“Virginia. Lynchburg.”

She nods. “Are you visiting family here?”

“Um… Sort of,” I murmur evasively.

Sydney seems to sense my reticence, and doesn’t push it. “Well. Tanner Springs is a pretty nice town, one you get to know it,” she tells me. “Even though I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I came here, now I can’t imagine living anywhere else.” She glances up at the chalkboard with the list of drinks on it. “Do you know what you want, or should I stop babbling at you and give you a minute?”

I laugh. “I’ll have a small mocha.” The cake bite put me in the mood for something sweet.

“You got it.” Sydney tells me the price, and I hand her a bill. She gives me back my change. “Have a seat and I’ll bring it out when it’s ready.”

I select a table by the window so I can watch the world go by. A minute later, Sydney appears. “Here you go.”

“Thanks!” The cup she sets in front of me smells fantastic. Sydney leaves me alone with my drink, and I sip it slowly, enjoying it to the fullest. Like the cake bite, it’s delicious. I imagine she gets a lot of repeat customers here.

Even though I’ve only traded sitting around in Gunner’s house for sitting around in a coffee shop, just being around people and having a change of scenery makes me feel less anxious and frustrated about everything. I even manage to lose track of time a little bit. I’m enjoy watching people out the window as they walk by, and the customers who come in and out of Sydney’s shop, when one customer walks in who almost makes me drop my coffee mug.

It’s a tall, deeply tanned and muscular man with dark hair and eyes.

And he’s wearing a Lords of Carnage vest.

And, as soon as Sydney sees him walk in, she lights up like a Christmas tree.

The man slips behind the counter and folds Sydney into his large embrace. He kisses her so deeply I feel like I’m spying and have to look away for a second. When he finally lets her go, she looks flustered but happy. She beams at him and says something in a low murmur that makes him throw back his head and roar with laughter.

It’s all I can do not to just stare at the two of them. They look incredibly happy together. Any fool could see in an instant that they’re deeply in love. My brain reels as I try to imagine how this dark, dangerous man let himself be tamed by the pretty coffee shop owner. But visibly, that’s exactly what’s happened. And even though you’d never guess it if you saw them separately, somehow they look sort of… perfect together. The yin to each other’s yang.

The man leans down and says something in Sydney’s ear, then kisses her again. My mind flashes to Gunner, and what happened the first night I spent at his house. Before I know it I’m blushing crimson, even though no one’s even looking at me. The man with Sydney picks that exact moment to glance over toward me. Instantly I look away, and stare out the window, like I’ve just noticed something incredibly fascinating. A few seconds later, he slips back out from behind the counter and leaves, the shop bell sounding after him.

I don’t know what possesses me to ask Sydney about the man. Her life is none of my business, after all. But she’s been so open and friendly, I just can’t help myself. I guess maybe I’m hoping to find out something — anything — about who Gunner is, and who the Lords of Carnage are.

When I approach the counter with my empty mug, she thinks I’m just bringing it to her to bus my table. “Oh, thanks,” she says, taking it from me. “Would you like a refill?”

“No, thanks. I should get going.”

“Well, I hope you’ll stop in again.”

“I will,” I promise, and then force myself to keep going. “Sydney,” I begin, feeling awkward, “Can I ask you a question about… your boyfriend?” Good lord, if there was ever a guy that the word boyfriend didn’t begin to describe, it’s that one.

Her eyes widen for a second, and then she laughs. “His name is Gavin. Brick, to the MC.”

MC. Oh, yeah. Motorcycle club.

“Oh.” I take a breath. “Well, actually, the Lords of Carnage were kind of what I wanted to ask you about.”

“Sure. I suppose you’ve seen them around town.” She smiles kindly. “They might look dangerous, but they’re actually pretty devoted to keeping Tanner Springs safe. You don’t have anything to worry about from them.”

“Oh, no, I’m… I mean, actually I know one of them. Gunner.” I stumble a little over his name. It feels strange to be talking about him to someone else.

“You know Gunner?” She eyes me with a curious expression. “Really?”

“Yes. He’s, uh, helping me look for someone.” For some reason, I stop short of telling her I’m staying at his house. “My sister. She left home, and I just need to find her, and make sure she’s okay.”

Sydney shakes her head, looking amused. “Gunner, huh? Well, my goodness…”

“What?” I ask, a little afraid that she’s going to tell me something I don’t want to hear.

“Oh, nothing. Really.” She gives me a reassuring grin. “Gunner’s a really good guy, beneath the rough exterior. And I’ll tell you one thing: if he says he’s going to help you find your sister, you can bet he’ll do it. You’re in good hands with him.” She winks conspiratorially. “Maybe in more ways than one.”

Just then a customer comes in, and I’m left to ponder Sydney’s words as she waves goodbye to me. It seems pretty obvious she meant it sexually. I’m guessing Gunner’s got a reputation. I know from experience how good he is in bed. Maybe that’s something all the other women know, too. My stomach rolls at the thought, my mouth tasting sour despite the delicious coffee drink I just finished.

Dammit, I hate that Gunner makes me feel like this. If it wasn’t for Eden, I’d leave town right now and never look back. Except that my car’s in the club’s shop now, that is. Gunner was so mad at me last night he didn’t even tell me what was wrong with it. A thin spike of worry jolts through me at the thought of having to pay a repair bill. But then I realize Gunner probably won’t let me pay for it anyway.

Far from being a relief, the thought of being even further in his debt is almost worse.

“Why didn’t I just stay home in Lynchburg?” I murmur out loud to myself as I leave the coffee shop. This whole thing was a fool’s errand. I’m never going to find Alix. I’ve lost my job, I’m running out of money, and I’m completely in over my head with a confusing, sexy man I wish I’d never met.

My phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out in irritation, sure it’s Gunner demanding to know why I’m not at home.

But it’s not Gunner.

It’s Alix.

My heart begins to race as I read the short, blunt message. The brutal words that tell me in no uncertain terms to leave her the hell alone.

It’s over, I think, choking back a deep sob that threatens to rip from my throat. I was an idiot to think I was coming here to save her. I should have known she never wanted to see me again.

Blindly, I start to stumble forward again, tears blurring my eyes. But then, just as I’m about to put the phone back in my pocket, something literally stops me in my tracks.

Behind me on the sidewalk, a teenage boy bumps into me. He swears in irritation, but I barely hear him.

I hold the phone up again stare at the screen.

All at once, I feel dizzy, like I’m going to pass out.

My hands start to tremble so badly I almost drop the thing as I find Gunner’s number and press call. When he answers, I’m so upset I can barely speak.

“Gunner!” I choke out, “It’s Alix! Please, come get me! Something’s wrong!”