The woman looked suspiciously at Regan. “I’ll time you.”
Grinning, Regan ran out of the restaurant and toward her van. Grabbing the wallet from her backpack, she shoved it in her back pocket and ran back toward the Last Stop.
Nearing the store front, she saw Lily standing on the front porch, the white bag with Regan’s sandwich in her hand, and a tall, dark haired man looking up at her from the sidewalk.
As Regan approached, she heard the man speaking in a harsh tone. “Don’t get attached.”
Regan hesitated, not wanting to interrupt an obviously tense conversation. “Hey. Sorry about this.” Reaching into her back pocket, she pulled her wallet out and handed Lily a twenty dollar bill.
“Let me get your change.” Lily handed Regan the bag.
Holding her hands up, Regan shook her head. “No. Please keep it. You’ve saved me from starvation.” She glanced at the man, who stood looking intently at her. “Hi. Regan.” She extended her hand to the stranger.
Looking at her hand, and then back at Regan’s slightly flushed face, he smiled. His teeth were perfectly aligned and a vivid white against his tan skin. “Trent Sexton. I’m Lily’s older brother.” Though the resemblance was clear, the man’s posture and tone made him significantly less appealing than his sister.
Nodding, Regan shook the man’s hand quickly, and then stepped back. “Nice to meet you.” Looking at Lily, she raised the bag. “Thanks again.”
Turning, Regan quickly walked back toward her van. The encounter with Trent was leaving her unsettled, with no real reason why. Now, standing in front of Vera’s store, she was more uncertain than ever if she should stay in Howell, or take her chances in Addison’s dormitory.
The astronomy field was populated mostly by men. For the most part, the few women Regan had worked with over the years had said their male colleagues were respectful. Still, she hardly thought it was fair of her to ask a group of men to live with a lone woman for two months. Regan considered her options, and sadly came up with very few.
Deciding it was best for her and her colleagues, Regan grabbed her bag from the van, and headed toward Vera’s. Her clothes in one hand, a very expensive turkey sandwich in the other, she was determined to get through the next two months and on to the rest of her life.
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Fallen Elements Page 31
