Almost midnight. Time for Cinderella to turn back into a scullery maid. Time for her to head home. To what? Not even a cat waited for her at her apartment. No one would call to make sure she'd arrived safely. No one would ask about her day or be ready to keep her company in bed.She'd never minded her solitary life before. She had friends, and though she hadn't had a serious relationship with a man in years, she hadn't really wanted one. She never lacked for companionship whenever she was interested. But since Zach had moved away, there was no one she was really close to.Suddenly the last place she wanted to be was that empty apartment. She turned in the opposite direction from the lot where she'd parked her car and headed back up East Sixth.At this hour the protestors were gone, but the crowds were thin even for a weeknight. How much of this was due to Clean Carter's campaign? What would happen to the businesses on the street if this kept up?She was probably worrying over nothing. She'd grab a bite to eat, wind down a little, then head home.
