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pull away from him, but his grip tightens.
    “Let go of me!” I demand, jerking my hand away.
    He stares at me confused, waiting for some sort of explanation.
    “I have no idea why I came here. It was a mistake,” I admit.
    “I’m glad you did.”
    I have no idea what to say, so I ask the obvious instead.
    “Did you fuck her?” I have absolutely no right to ask but that doesn’t stop me. Before I hunt that bitch down and set her house on fire, I should probably know for sure.
    “No,” Odin says with a smile, amused at my jealousy. “But maybe I was going to.”
    I glare at him. Even though I broke up with him, and I have no right to be mad, I’m fuming.  The thought of him fucking her, makes me want to go shove my fist down her throat and rip her heart out. But what can I say? I told him I wanted a break.
    “Is that Daniella?”
    He nods, confirming my assumption. She’s just as beautiful as he described her.
    “Well, don’t let me keep you.” I try to sound numb, as I turn to leave.
    “That’s the problem, all I want is to keep you. But I’m not good enough for you,” he calls at my back, stopping me in my tracks. He’d ditch her for me, and it’s exactly what I want to hear. Despite the circumstances, I find myself smiling. “Don’t leave, Lila.”
    I turn to look at him, and in a second, Odin palms the side of my head in his hand and leans down to kiss me. My walls crumble around me, and I surrender, allowing his tongue to dive into my mouth and claim me. His kiss makes me weak as his soft lips press into mine. The spark between us ignites once more as Odin wraps his other arm around me.
    The fire inside me burns wild. This is dangerous.
    “Why are you running from me baby?” he whispers against my lips, his blue eyes boring into mine.
    I open my mouth but the words don’t come out. In my head, I can still see Jaime on top of me. I panic on the inside, fearing the truth would kill both of us.
    “What Ly? Talk to me.”
    Daniella walks out the door, and as much as I hate her, she’s a welcome distraction.
    “I have to go,” I whisper without giving him any further explanation. I push away from him and run back to my car. I know this isn’t over. What the hell was I thinking coming here?
    I speed toward home, and never glance back at the man I’ve left standing in my wake.
     
    Monday before work I head to group therapy. It helps me put things in perspective, knowing that there are lots of people like me, dealing with pain like mine. Their progress gives me hope.
    Dr. Joan asks me if the prescription she gave me is helping any with the nightmares. I tell her about the side effects of nausea and she says that’s normal, but usually wears off.
    She’s right, throughout the week I battle less morning queasiness, and less nightmares.
    Wednesday, just as I’m about to get off the late lunch shift, Shannon strolls into the bar. She’s wearing her usual skin tight black jeans and a leather jacket with long strands of fringe down the sleeves. Her platinum blonde hair is dolled up with brightly colored feathers that bounce lightly as she walks toward me.
    “I was hoping I’d find you here,” she says, smiling at me as she takes a stool at the bar.
    “I’m just about to clock out,” I tell her.
    “Perfect! I’ll take a Stella, and meet you outside when you finish up.”
    I hope she isn’t here to guilt trip me about Odin. She’s all smiles as I make my make my way into the back to grab my things.
    When I emerge onto the deck, Shannon has her over bedazzled purse sitting on the table, and she’s smoking an elegantly long cigarette. She flicks the end with a fake pink nail as I take the seat across from her.
    “How’ve you been?” she asks like we’re old girlfriends.
    “Okay. What’s up?”
    “I just wanted to come see how you are doing. I miss seeing you around, and I know Odin does too.” She smiles genuinely.
    “Thanks.”
    Shannon lets a puff of smoke out from her nose, and