Page 51 of The Luminosity of Loriana Harper

“The veal cutlets?”

Marnie gasped. “Little calves?”

Loriana snickered. “Yes, even little calves.” She disarmed her car alarm and used the remote to unlock the doors.

Mitch gave Marnie a dazzling smile. “I support your conviction that little calves shouldn’t be eaten.”

“No animals should be.”

Loriana barked out a laugh.

Mitch glanced at her.

“She isnota vegetarian. Don’t be fooled for even one moment.”

“I might be.”

Marnie’s mouth set in a hard line, but Loriana spotted the twinkle in her eyes. “Since we had burgers on Wednesday? That was quick.”

Mitch laughed, and Marnie joined in. “See you over there.” She ducked into her car, and by the time Loriana and Mitch had their seatbelts on, Marnie was turning her car onto Second Avenue.

“Why am I under the distinct impression she doesn’t laugh very often?”

Loriana turned on the engine. “Because she doesn’t. She has a wicked sense of humor, but you’d never know it.” She checked over her shoulder before backing out of her spot. “On the one hand, I want to wrap her up and protect her from whatever has her so scared. On the other hand, I want to force her to confront her fears head-on and start living her life to the fullest.” She turned onto Second Avenue and headed toward the diner.

Mitch was silent for so long, she snuck a peek at him. His jaw was clenched.

Sore spot?

Likely the nerve she’d hit the other day—his reasons for leaving California and coming back to Canada. His reasons for not going back to Vancouver to see his friends.

Marnie won’t share her secrets with me.

Will you?

That remained to be seen.

Chapter twelve

Howhardcoulditpossibly be to say the words? To explain what happened?

Apparently too hard, because as Loriana turned into Fifties’ parking lot, the words weren’t coming. Mitch waited until she’d cut the engine before undoing his seat belt. “I’ll do my best to ensure Marnie feels comfortable.”

“It’s not you.” Loriana unclipped her belt as well. “I’m sure it’s not you.” She clapped her hands. “Okay.”

They exited the car to a blast of icy wind tunneling down the Fraser Valley. Not wanting to be hit again, they hustled into the diner.

The smell, combined with the warmth, hit Mitch first. Grease, ketchup, frying meat, and some kind of spice. Warm air enveloped him from a heater blasting the front door. He unzipped his jacket quickly, not wanting to overheat.

Loriana was slower to unbutton her coat as she was scanning the restaurant. Soon, she spotted Marnie and waved to her.

Marnie waved back.

To Mitch’s surprise, Loriana snagged his hand and held it as she guided them to the back of the restaurant. She shoved him into the booth and climbed in next to him. He pulled off his coat and stuffed it beside him. She removed hers at a more sedate pace and hung it on the peg by the booth’s entrance.

I could’ve done that too.

Ah, his coat was fine where it was. Took up a bit of space, though, and that meant he was crammed pretty tightly next to his lovely companion.

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