Page 28 of Safe With Me

“You came!” She leaned over and roped her arms around me.

“Yes, I came,” I said as I eased back. “I was told by two people that if I didn’t show up tonight, they would come get me. So, here I am.” I splayed my arms out at my sides.

“Two people, huh?” Claudia arched a dark brow. “Making an impression already. See? I knew you’d be great here.” She beamed and squeezed my hand.

“I don’t know about an impression. I can still count the people I know in this town on one hand.”

“And that will all change tonight,” Claudia said, nodding to the crowd behind me.

“Right,” I said, glancing over my shoulder, my social battery already draining as I took in more unfamiliar faces.

“What’s a Kelly Lakes festival like?” I asked as I set my purse on the bartop. “Judging by the crowd, it seems like a big thing.”

“Oh, it is,” Claudia said with a slow nod. “The band doesn’t come on until dark. That’s when the older residents clear out. I don’t think they’re thrilled about the noise, but in the spirit of celebration, they let me get away with it for a night.”

“Celebration?”

“Oh yes, we celebrate all seasons. It’s overwhelming at first, but it’s nice once you get used to it. We had street fairs in Brooklyn, but nothing like this. Even when it gets to be a little much, the sense of community here is something special. There is literally nowhere else to be tonight but here.”

“That’s…pressure.” I winced before I could help it.

“It is,” Claudia said with a shrug. “But good for business and good for you too, even though it feels a little terrifying right now.How about a nice margarita to cool you off? It’s my drink special of the night.”

“That would be wonderful,” I said, my reply laced with embarrassing desperation.

“I got you, girl.” Claudia waved to someone at the end of the bar. “Amber! Come give my cousin a margarita. On the house,” Claudia whispered.

“Claudia,” I groaned. “You don’t have to do that.”

“It’s my bar, so I can do anything I want. And you’re family.”

“Hi, I’m Amber,” the bartender said in a squeaky voice and held out her hand. She was tiny enough for me to almost tower over her while I was sitting down. I was tempted to lean forward to see if she was kneeling on something.

Her raven hair was styled in a pixie cut, and her voice had a fairylike lilt. Maybe Claudia had hired college students for the summer. She looked barely old enough to drink, never mind be behind the bar.

“You’re her cousin?” she asked, squinting at me as she reached under the bar and poured a glass.

“Yes, by marriage. I’m Lila.” I smiled and nodded a thank-you when she set the glass in front of me. I understood her possible confusion as Claudia and I didn’t look related. Claudia was Chinese American and tall with lean curves. I was average height with brown hair and hazel eyes that changed colors in the right light. But my curves were fuller, something Ted had liked to point out whenever I wore a tight dress or skinny jeans.

The first time he’d made a comment about my being toofull-figuredto wear something, I’d laughed in his face, truly thinking he’d been kidding. I had never been what I’d describe as skinny, but I kept myself healthy for the most part and liked the way I looked.

Looking back, it had been his first attempt to get into my head and control me, and when that didn’t work, it caused a domino effect of rage and frustration, all aimed at me.

“Are you from Brooklyn too?”

“Philly,” I replied as I lifted the glass to my mouth. The sweet and sour hit my tongue just right as the tequila warmed my throat and chest, taking the edge off my nerves for the moment.

“Wow, this must be like a different world to you,” Amber said, her eyes wide. “The festival is a good way to meet everyone.”

“Seems like it,” I said, trying not to tense up at the idea of meeting the whole town at once. “I work at Russo’s Contracting, so I’ve met some of the residents, but not this many.”

“Wait, you’re the Lila who works for Jake.” Amber pointed at me. “Mike told me about you. You’ve only been here a few weeks, right?”

“That’s right,” I said, taking another gulp, the liquor not relaxing me as much on the second swallow.

Mike and I had never really had a conversation about each other’s personal life, other than the night he’d come to my apartment and opened up about his parents.

I had no idea what his relationship was with Amber, and any relationship he had with anyone wasn’t any of my business.

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