Page 251 of Tell Me Something True

When the town’s assistant chief of police accompanied you—in full uniform, no less—you could go anywhere you wanted in Mount Laurel.

Even traipse around Mount Laurel General Hospital after visiting hours.

It came in handy, that uniform.

But now that they were there—her in the Ladies Room near the Registration Desk, him waiting in the hall—Tabitha was no longer certain she wanted to do this.

Was no longer certain she was strong enough to be face-to-face with her mother again.

There was a knock on the restroom door followed by Miles’s quiet voice. “You okay?”

“Fine,” she called, her voice only slightly unsteady. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

She washed her hands then dried them on a paper towel. She’d turned her shirt right side out in Miles’s car on the way to The Cockeyed Chameleon and redid her ponytail, but hadn’t realized how badly her mascara had smudged or how red and puffy her eyes still were from crying.

Rubbing a wet paper towel over her eyes made them redder and puffier but less raccoon-like.

At this point in such a horrendous day, she’d take whatever win she could get.

After tossing the paper towel into the trash, she opened the restroom door. Miles stood a few feet away, watchful gaze taking her in. Despite it being close to eleven p.m. and him working an all-nighter last night plus an extra shift only hours later, there was no leaning against the wall, no slumping of the shoulders for Miles Jennings.

He was all perfect posture and on high alert, assessing everything and everyone around them. Ready to protect and serve.

Ready to weather her storms with her.

Without thinking, without wondering if she was making a mistake, without worrying if she was giving too much away, she closed the distance between them, laid her hands on his shoulders for balance as she rose onto her toes and kissed his cheek.

It wasn’t nearly as difficult as she’d thought it would be. Following her heart. Letting it guide her.

Or maybe it was just easy with Miles.

His hands settled on her waist. “What was that for?” he asked, low and gruff.

“It’s to thank you. Thank you for being here with me. For going with me to talk to Reed. I couldn’t do this, couldn’t get through this, without you.”

“Not true. I’ve already told you I think you’re the strongest person I know, but I’m happy to keep reminding you of that strength. Your bravery. You could absolutely do this on your own.” He ducked his head, pressing a kiss to her temple. Kept his lips there as he spoke. “But I need you to know you don’t have to. You never have to be alone again. I’m here. I’m here and I’m not going anywhere. Not unless you tell me to.”

A middle-aged Asian woman in purple scrubs and a younger white man in teal ones walked past them, both nodding at them in greeting.

Both taking in their embrace outside the restrooms on the hospital’s first floor.

Over the past few weeks, word had already spread around town that the assistant police chief and the new social worker were involved. Miles hadn’t exactly been subtle in his pursuit of her. Coffee and lunch and dinner dates. Visits to her office, just to talk.

She’d learned one very important fact about living in a small town.

There were no secrets.

Fine by her. She was tired of keeping everything to herself. Tired of pretending she didn’t have doubts and fears, hopes and dreams. Mostly, she was tired of hiding.

She couldn’t wait to live out in the open.

Couldn’t wait to do it with this man by her side.

“Ready?” he asked, watching her carefully. Willing, she knew, to go with whatever decision she made. Even if that meant patiently waiting in this hallway outside the restrooms for her to gather some of the bravery he thought she had and use it to move forward.

With a deep inhale, she nodded and stepped back.

Then immediately linked her fingers with his.

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