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Sending a small prayer to Mrs. Valentine in heaven, I once again thank her for entrusting me with her shop. This place is the motivation behind my happiness and the locals are astounding at supporting me, hence me keeping it up and operating in the third year now. Mrs. Valentine died last year in November, she told me how fortunate she was to be able to see her husband again. The two of them were irrevocably in love with each other, so I'm at peace knowing they joined again. 

Switching off the lights in the shop, I smile to myself when I water the last couple of flowers and plants. The scent of roses carries through my senses and embraces my figure, this is home for me. I'm able to visit my dad and the locals of Hetdale are amazing at welcoming my return. None of them require me to show up at social gatherings and I don't, but they are here whenever I need them and are actively supporting my business. 

Locking the cash register, I grab my handbag from behind the counter and reach for the keys in the seemingly endless depths of a simple purse. Finally making contact with the cold object, I pull it out and walk down the short aisle of 'Life in Bloom'. A very sentimental and appropriate name, but Mrs. Valentine wanted me to carry on her legacy and that is exactly what I'm planning to do. It accommodates the vibe in here anyway. 

When I lock the door behind me, my phone vibrates in my purse. Pulling it out I see Flynn's name flash across the device. 

Hey. Saw you turn off the lights, need a ride home? 

It's been a couple of days since I kicked him out, he apologized for being an idiot and I told him I needed some time to myself. It's not equal to breaking up with him, but being in a committed relationship is fucking troublesome and I have to ease myself into it. Now he's bothered me enough and some time alone seemed appropriate. With this in mind, I type out a reply. 

No thanks, I'm good. Have a great night though, Flynn.

Not a second later he responds. 

Are we good? I'm worried. 

We're fine, don't worry. 

Not knowing how sincere that declaration is, I wander down the familiar streets of Hetdale. Greeting every passerby and making a mental note of calling Dani sometime in the nearest future, her and Relly are still partying in the city and I miss both of them. They were startled to hear my change of plans, but have grown quite attached to the sleepovers in the large house I own. Apparently, it fits excellently having a 'rich' best friend, I'm nowhere near loaded, but they won't hear it. 

Reaching my street I stroll in a soundless pace, appreciating the fresh breath the nightly air offers. My house grows bigger with each step and soon enough I'm standing in front of it, sending a small smile to myself because of how I've done myself well. This is exactly what I wished for during college and now I have it. Not only that, but I've discovered myself in ways I never thought attainable. 

One move later and I step on something hard, squatting down to get a better look, a black wallet is carelessly thrown on the ground. Picking it up I refrain from snooping in it as I look down the sidewalk, no indication of life anywhere I think as a sigh leaves my lips. I don't want this type of responsibility, but I guess I have to take it now that I've seen it. I shouldn't have looked, then I wouldn't have any obligations on my shoulders right now.

Contemplating throwing it on the ground and pretend I haven't seen it stings in my fingertips, but then I won't be able to sleep out of guilt tonight. I'll bring it with me inside and deliver it at the police station tomorrow, the owner is irresponsible enough to toss around with money, then I won't drop everything I have on my plate to return the wallet right this instance.

My nosiness getting the better of me, I take a quick look inside, and when I do my heart pounds in my chest as the image engraves painfully into my skin. Quickly closing again, this isn't true, it can't be! Allowing myself to look again I see a driver's license, the license isn't what horrifies me, but the owner of this particular one is unquestionably the cause behind my hammering heart and sweaty palms.

Elijah Black.

He can't be in this neighborhood right now. Releasing a trembling breath I glance towards the dark sky, sending a silent prayer that this is one big, fat lie. I'm not even that religious, but this is just too enormous of a prank on me. Maybe if I had friends in this town I could blame them, but I don't, they live at least two hours away, and therefore I know this must be true in some unintelligible way. He's here somewhere, in my town.

I haven't allowed myself to think of Elijah ever since I moved away from college three years ago, it was a way of protecting myself to create distance from the idea of him and I. The memory of him constantly tries to charm its way into my consciousness, but I'm too headstrong to acknowledge that. It sounds absolutely insane that I still hold hostility against him, it truly is the only way to shield myself from reality though.

I don't even have to face him, if I abandon his wallet I can go about my evening, not even contemplating the fact that I've noticed it to begin with. He doesn't deserve the time of day and I won't walk 20 minutes tomorrow to return a wallet he clearly doesn't care about.

Concluding that he isn't worth the trouble, I thoughtlessly toss the wallet on the ground again. A small spark of guilt punishes me, but I can't handle seeing him and the probabilities of that will be increased if I seek it out. This is the appropriate thing to do for me, I don't owe him anything and I don't want to see him. I don't want him to see me.

Turning my back to the wallet, I demand an intense breath and try to forget all the guilty feelings clouding my mind. With arrogant shoulders and chin held high I take the first move towards my house before a sudden sharpness jolts my body, goosebumps dancing mercilessly on my skin. Footsteps inch closer, but I don't attempt to turn around.

"I must admit, love, I didn't peg you for the steal and dump type of girl. I guess I was wrong," A humored and strong voice carries through the nightly air.

An almost soundless gasp leaves my lips by hearing him again, turning around our eyes meet and I'm instantly drawn back to the days where him and I knew each other. The green of his eyes intruding my grey ones as I try to make sense of the entire situation unfolding right in front of me. 

He's visibly developed. His brown hair is longer than usual, now a disheveled mess on top of his head. A light stubble of beard covers his handsome and sharp features, my hands are instantly brought back to the feeling of him. And that smirk... Oh god, that smirk... As if it isn't troublesome enough to see his muscles stretching against his t-shirt, he also has to torture me with the one thing even I have a difficult time refraining from.

Snap out of it! I scold, trying to get a grip.

Sharply meeting his all too familiar eyes again, "You clearly don't know me at all then, Elijah," His eyebrow raises at me in amusement. "Besides, my name is Dakota."