Page 52 of Safe With Me

“Yes, Claudia has been asking me to come by, so I’m glad I made it back tonight.”

“Mike said that you were stopping by. I usually meet him for lunch when he works on Saturdays. He sounded glad you would be here tonight too.” Her chuckle reminded me of a wind chime.

“Mike is good like that,” I blurted out, trying to shake off the weird and sudden discomfort at Mike having a standing lunch date with another woman.

Anotherwoman didn’t apply. I was another woman he spent time with and spoke to. And he’d said that Amber was a longtime friend from school, although I still couldn’t believe this woman was halfway into her twenties.

“Yes, Mike was always like that. Looked out for everyone and had that quiet way of observing everything. I was the only one not surprised when he decided to become a cop.”

“Mike told me you went to high school together.”

“Even before that.” She waved a hand. “But before I treat you to his embarrassing history, what can I get you?”

“Embarrassing, huh? This sounds promising. Just a hard cider is fine.”

My phone buzzed as Amber headed over to the tap.

Mike:How’s it going?

Me:Aren’t you supposed to be out on patrol, looking for bad guys?

Mike:The bad guys are mostly inside tonight. It’s too hot for them, I guess.

Me:I guess so. It’s going okay. Dinner was good. Amber says she has good stories to tell about you.

Mike:Happy she’s entertaining you. Just remember, it’s all lies.

“Funny joke?” Amber asked, cocking a brow as she set a frosty glass in front of me. “Something on the screen is making you smile big.”

Shit.The last thing I needed was for a good friend of Mike’s to think I had a crush on him.

Especially when it was true.

“No, Mike texted to see how it was going. He says whatever you’re about to tell me is all lies.”

She snickered. “Of course he did. He’s trying to shield you from his past.”

“His past?” My brows jumped before I could help it.

“Nothing juicy like you’re thinking.” She shook her head and leaned against the counter. “I know Mike from when he first lived here. He was in my prekindergarten class. My mother has a picture of us at a Christmas concert, singing side by side.”

“I don’t suppose you could show me sometime, because that has to be too damn adorable.”

“Oh, I’ll find it,” she said, popping her brows. “He wore a red velvet bow tie that matched my dress. My mother said it looked like we were prom dates.”

“That’s really cute. Must be nice to have a good friend from so young.”

I’d met Ally in my junior year of college. All my elementary and high school friends had moved out of Philly, and I’d only kept in touch with them on Facebook.

And now, not at all. I guessed a chunk of my history was also gone, thanks to my escape from my crazy ex.

“He didn’t remember me when he moved back, but I knew Mike right away. He has an unforgettable face.”

I nodded, picturing those gorgeous blue eyes on a little boy.

“How’s it going?” Claudia asked, breathless as she came over to us. “Amber’s taking care of you?”

“She is.” I held up my glass.

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