Chapter 4:

Kendal spent a solid 2 days at her computer writing. She'd operated on less sleep than she had in college, but at the end, she had a completed first draft of her book. Her initial idea before coming to Charming was a far cry from the story she'd turned out. Her story of a shy new woman in town being seduced by the lifestyle of a hot biker was ringing a little truer than she wanted to admit.

Happy. She was intrigued, but by his demeanor upon their meeting, he wasn't. Not that it surprised her. She never had been anyone's first choice. With that thought she felt that weight settle in her gut once again. She'd failed to notice its absence over the week that she'd been in Charming. But once again, she felt the force of it anchoring her in reality.

It was a Friday. Kendal's draft had been emailed for maybe an hour before she heard the pulse of music echoing from across the street. She peered through the window to find a party in full swing. Her first instinct was to find something for dinner and relax in front of the television, but after a couple of hours, she was itching to go to the party. She'd technically been invited by Kozik. Even if it ate at her later, she felt the need to seek Happy out—just to lay eyes on him.

Kendal searched through the clothing she'd brought with her. She had no idea what one wore to a biker party, but leather seemed like a safe choice. She settled on a leather one-shoulder dress that ended halfway down her thigh and fit like a glove. She threw on a pair of heels and fluffed her straight hair.

It was 11pm when she made her way through the doors of the clubhouse. It was packed wall-to-wall with leather clad men and sleazy women. She began to squeeze her way through the crowd ending at the bar. She told a young man to grab her a glass of whiskey before she felt someone sit next to her. She didn't expect to find Happy perched next to her, looking in her direction. She sure as hell didn't expect him to talk to her.

"I didn't think you'd actually come. Don't seem like your kind of scene." His voice was gruff and sexy.

Kendal felt a confidence build-up in her that she usually did when she was with a man that gave her attention. "Guess you don't know me that well then." She positioned herself on the stool so that she oozed sex appeal. "So, you do speak?"

She was shocked when he smiled. "Not much. Makes me seem dangerous."

"It's sexy for sure." Outwardly, Kendal looked completely confident. Inside, she was screaming at herself to stop. She knew that she was only furthering the pattern that she needed to break. She felt her face shift as that realization hit her. Happy was looking at her in confusion. "I need to go. Sorry." She didn't even give him a chance to respond before she bolted towards the door.

Kendal warily made her way through the crowd and outside toward the house. She fell back against the door and let the emotion washed over her. The realization hit…she was the problem. She kept herself in the endless cycle of pain and broken hearts.

Kendal let the wave of tears dry before she stood from the floor. Before she could walk away the door sounded with a loud knock.

AN: Another one down. It should start getting better soon.