Page 39 of When Love Is Unexpected

"Don't question the process, Man," says Adam.

"You have a lot to learn, Son," says Jon.

"I just do what I'm told," says Aaron.

I walk back into the house and let Laila and Loren know I'll be back later.

"Do you want to take my car?" offers Laila.

"I was going to call an Uber," I say.

"Here," she says, handing me her keys.

I take the keys and wink at her.

***

When I pull into the parking lot that serves the tailor's storefront building, the bank, and a small grocery market, I see Eric's late-model Hummer parked across from the bank. I park Laila's car in the only free stall, a few spaces away from the Hummer.

Walking up to the building, I spot Eric exiting the bank. My hope that he won't see me is futile. Who could ever miss a six-foot-six-inch man weighing two hundred and thirty pounds?

He's looking straight ahead, but as soon as he sees Laila's car, he looks around, thinking he'll see her. Instead, he sees me. I brace myself for what I'm sure will be an unpleasant exchange.

"Is Laila here?" he asks as he approaches.

"No," I say, "she's not."

"Why do you have her car?"

"I borrowed it."

"Are you two together?"

"I don't think that's any of your business," I say.

"Did she dump me to be with you?" he asks.

"Laila and I are not together," I say.

"I'm sorry," he says, surprising me. "I love her and don't want to lose her."

"I understand you wanting to talk about it, but I don't think I'm the person you should be opening up to."

"How long will you be in town?" he asks.

"Now," I say, "I know you're not asking me because you're interested in my itinerary. You want to know when I'm leaving and no longer a threat."

I see the muscles in his jaw tense up as his calm demeanor starts to slip. I bet if I look at his hand, it will be curled into a fist, but I maintain even eye contact and wait.

"You're in love with her," he says.

"One thing I'm not going to do is discuss my feelings for Laila."

"The only reason she broke up with me is because she's leaving Cold Spring and doesn't want to be in a long-distance relationship."

"Eric, I'm trying my best to be cordial because I know you're still processing the breakup, but we are not having a heart-to-heart here. We are standing in the middle of a strip mall parking lot."

"Why didn't you just stay away?" he asks, with furrowed eyebrows.

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