Page 26 of Hidden Depths

“A friend gave me—” she almost told him about the houseboat she lived in, but wasn’t ready to give that much away yet. “A friend had a place for me to stay. But he doesn’t live here.”

“Me too. I’m staying at my boss’s holiday condo.”

“That’s nice of him to give you his place. You must be an exemplary employee.”

He smiled in a charming way that made her feel both safe and uncomfortable. “I think he was trying to get rid of me.”

“So he gave you his condo? That doesn’t make any sense.”

“I was getting a little stressed at work. I made some decisions he wasn’t happy about.”

“Still. I can understand him telling you to take a few days off, not giving you his apartment because you were making mistakes.”

“They weren’t mistakes,” he snapped. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to—I guess I do need a break.”

“Sounds like you have a stressful job.”

“Yeah. But I really like it, so it’s worth fighting for.”

“Then it’s good you have a great boss.”

“What about you? What do you do for work?”

“I’ve done some writing while I’ve been down here and a few volunteer things, but that’s it.”

“You’re not working?”

“I inherited a couple of houses that I receive a rental income from. I live simply, so it’s enough.”

Tom’s eyebrows raised. “I hope you know how lucky you are. There are a lot of people who would kill for your lifestyle.”

She flinched. “Yeah.” After a breath, she added, “I remind myself of that every day. I’m thankful to be alive. Living—like this.” Except that she would do anything to live a life completely different.

“I had a friend who you would get along with very well. He was big on giving thanks.”

“Youhada friend?”

“He passed away.”

“Oh. I’m sorry to hear that.”

“It’s nice to know he’s not the only one who lived a life full of thankfulness.”

“I just started, actually. It’s new for me. I’m trying my best.”

“I guess that’s all we can do. Hey, what are you doing now?”

“I don’t know. Going home, I guess?”

“Can I take you out to lunch?”

Dread lurched in her stomach. “Lunch?”

“Yeah.”

The word ‘no’ screamed in her mind. “We don’t know each other.”

“I’m not asking you to come away with me. Just lunch. In public, so there are witnesses if that makes you feel better. I don’t know anyone here, and you seem like a decent enough person.”

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