Page 20 of Only Human in Strangeville

Davin leveled a serious look at me. “Somehow, you’re already mixed up in whatever is going on.”

“And you’re going to let Katsuro explain it?”

“Yes. He’s much better at that sort of thing.”

“I do believe he’s been flirting with me. Just saying.”

Davin smiled, not looking terribly bothered. “If you tell him to back off, he will. Likewise, just so you know. You know I’m interested, but I’m also happy to simply have you as a friend.”

“Seriously?”

Davin nodded.

“You’d be the first man I met like that.”

He shrugged. “I’m glad I’m not like all the other guys, then.” He hopped out of the truck and came around to open my door before I could reply.

“Nimbus can come in.” He helped me out of the truck.

I must have still been a little shaky because I tripped and ended up in Davin’s arms.

“I swear that wasn’t on purpose,” I gasped out, mortified. My entire face had to be bright red. Though, being pressed up against his firm chest, with his strong arms wrapped around me was certainly not terrible by any stretch.

“Mmm, I don’t mind.” Davin took one arm from around me and tilted my chin so I could meet his gaze. “Not one bit.”

He leaned forward, his lips mere inches from mine, his expression soft.

My heart pounded in my chest and my hands shook for a different reason. I wanted to close those last few inches between us, but I held back. I needed to know what was going on before I made any more commitments.

As if sensing my decision, the heat left Davin’s expression and he pulled me into a soul-healing hug instead.

Tears sprang to my eyes. I hadn’t been hugged like this in… well, a long damn time.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Yeah, just been a while. Thank you.”

“You may fall into my arms any time, Hannah. For whatever reason.”

Nimbus rooed, and I laughed and helped the little dog out of the truck, though he hadn’t needed it earlier. I was anxious for dinner.

***

Dinner was tasty, and I finally managed to focus fully on Davin and what he was telling me about the town. We’d been seated on the back porch and the puppy had gotten his way with a little hamburger of his own along with his kibble.

We talked until the sky darkened. I didn’t want the night to end, unfortunately Davin was keeping track. When he helped me back in the truck, I almost recreated the trip from earlier on purpose so I could have an excuse to kiss him, but I held off. There was a lot I needed to know first.

He was quiet on the drive to the coffee shop, though it didn’t seem to be a tense silence, at least from him. I was nervous, but my fingers curled in my puppy’s soft fur helped a great deal.

When Davin stopped, I made it out of the truck before he could come help me. That didn’t stop him from taking my hand—a little possessively, I thought—and walking me into the coffee shop. Nimbus trotted happily at my side.

Katsuro was there when we arrived, and Jaz stood behind the counter. Her lips tightened when she saw me, but I didn’t think it was from any sort of dislike toward me. Hell, maybe she was looking at Davin. I wasn’t sure. Katsuro looked ravishingly handsome in a deep-red dress shirt and black slacks. He had his black hair tied back and the friendly smile on his face almost reached his eyes. He looked troubled, not angry, though he did spend a long moment studying Davin before his gaze flicked back to me.

“Hannah, my dear, I hate to start our evening like this, but you are in very grave danger.”

Like an ice-cold bucket of water, his words both chilled me and set my heart racing. I didn’t stop myself from looking for the nearest exit, though Davin’s hand on mine kept me rooted in place.

Nimbus rooed softly and pressed against my calf, possibly the only thing keeping me from a full-blown panic attack.

---