LOVE IN THE SHADOWS..

r yet another job. I asked if he would want to come or if I could. I admitted that I was a little anxi

er player's. Due to the sport, his body is slim but not defined with curved muscles.

ing on a top-level team, so I couldn't be mad at him for taking it so seriously. He will participate in

alright and then so

do mascara on my lashes, mainly because they are long and tend to curl into my eyes without it. I wasn't attending any job intervi

d a simple white tube top that matched the pattern on the back of the shorts. It's not

I knew wasn't in the fridge. When no one was there last night, I a

oom for class. I walked out the front door with my hea

the Dunkin Donuts near my flat, the Burger King near the train station, or a place closer to downto

City Hall and then onto Washington Street to the Wendy's, but they weren't hiring. When I realized how much more work I would have to put

ls would blister. Fantastic job, Samantha. Never before have I felt as e

seemed hopeless. That could be the kinship I noticed in his eyes. At the restaurant, we purchase

I need something wrong. I'll think about i

as but not its name. I continued beyond the skyscrapers until I reach

lmost went back along that city sidewalk where I had come from because of my nerves, but my

ew the customers dining and chatting animatedly. I noticed a line next to the bar counter, which was made up of people waiting to pick up order

he desk, a young woman with thick hair that swayed when she walked grinned at me with a server'

I request a table. I lack the funds to cover that.

name. She peered over her shoulder for some reason as her brows wrinkled. She addresse

what? I was unable to recall. An "Oh, Matteo?" She inquired, her fa

nd going to those rear doors. She possesses th

hout the space. Little candles were placed amid the strewn tables, although none were lit now; this is probably a

aroma. Thirst mad

a man who appeared to be heading in my direction. He was dressed casually in a suit. Brown button-down shirt with rolle

ing after him. How was it that he couldn't? His manner alone is fascinating. His classy but distant demeanor. He

g for him. "Hello, yes. I shook his hand and said, "I'm Samantha. I've shocked a lot of hands while looking for work. As he lo

pped his hands into the pockets of his jeans, "You aren't his usual...company. He reminded me

if a ton of girls come here looking for him, and poor Matteo has to shoo

re...where I first met him," I rubbed my head, realizing I was speaking like

nce. It appeared almost as though he was trying to solve a puzzle. "Dancer?" H

g his head to see the phone. He glanced at the screen quickly when it pinged and slid the phone ba

us behavior, his mouth turned up in amusement. Even though I knew I was here to meet Leonard, the mere though

" said Matteo. My stomach was itching for food, and I wanted to lurch. But that wo

taking the seat across from me after I slid across the leather uph

reams of names being called for pick-up orders. Matteo stood with his hands clasped over the table and a further deceptive g

l. I hastily explained: "He offered to provide the man a spaghetti dish and pay me the bus money I'd given th

his chin and said, "That's new for him. Another tiny distinction between the tw

thing." That remark persisted. Leonard claimed he wasn't kind, so I should have taken him at his word. Yet why?

his brother's "decency," Matteo changed the subject. I caressed my hair as if I didn

icity are you?" I frequently receive that query. I have a somewhat exot

ore he could continue, his gaze shifted to something behind me, causing me to look