Page 7 of Capturing Hearts

Chapter Six

Annie

My heart just exploded.

“Oh my God,” I gasp under my breath. “I can’t believe it!”

“What?” Manny turns in his chair to see why I’ve gone white. He sees Brendan and flips back around, surprised, but happy. “We told you he’d come.”

I glance to him, then back to Brendan who gives a little wave, just like he did that first night. My whole body flips over in my skin and I drop the money in the register and close the drawer. “Manny, you can go.”

He grins. “Lock the door this time.”

“Funny. Ha ha.” I say, dryly, but inside I’m jumping for joy as I walk out from behind the counter and motion to Brendan to meet me at the front door. He nods, but his eyes are guarded, expression unreadable. Why is he here? I see a shadow move behind him and look closer to see a grown up Tommy walking with him. Confusion sets in. So he’s still friends with Tommy. I didn’t know. Well, I’m sure, like with Mark, I’ve misjudged this friend, too. I unlock the deadbolt in a hurry, and swing the door open, my eyes wide. “Hi.”

Brendan’s standing in front of me and if angel wings sprouted out of his back, I wouldn’t be surprised, that’s how good he looks. I do my best to act normal.

“Hey,” he says, scanning my face like he’s memorizing it.

“Hey.”

Manny scoots by with a nod, trying not to look too happy for me as he reminds me to lock the door. Tommy’s glaring at me, which gives me a jolt to my system. The way he’s looking at me makes the tiny hairs on my body stand up. I give him a small smile and quickly write off his expression as a guy who’s just looking out for his buddy. They obviously talked about what I did. That’s clear.

“Tommy, hi. Good to see you after all these years.” His eyes glitter and he nods, jaw tight. “Come in. I was just counting the register. You guys want a drink or something?” When I look at Brendan, his face has changed; the pleased look is gone. He’s still angry. I can see it in his eyes. I glance from one to the other, excitement replaced by nervousness.

Why are they here?

He brushes past me and our arms touch. The feeling is agony, but I steel myself against it. The fact is I don’t know what they want or what is going to happen. I have a feeling I’m about to get yelled at. Publicly humiliated in front of his friend. Maybe that’s just my past-self clawing at my subconscious, but the fear is growing as I watch them walk to bar stools, mount them like cowboys, and not say a word. If they were cowboys, they’d be the bad guys, wearing black hats.

Get ahold of yourself, Annie. Ride this out.

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