Page 90 of Half Baked

“I don’t like it,” he said, his voice tight. “But it could be nothing.”

“He had an eagle, Noah!” I whisper-shouted, turning my back to the girls. “Just like the pendent.”

“I know,” he said, “but I suspect a large portion of men with multiple tattoos have some form of an eagle. Still, that doesn’t mean I’m not worried. We shook a few limbs today, and it’s possible we scared out someone from your mother’s past.”

“And they came to check me out?”

“Yeah.” The word was short and deep. After a moment’s pause, he said, “Don’t leave the building until I tell you it’s safe.”

“What does that mean? What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to have someone come to the back door when you get off and walk you to your car. I’d do it myself, but obviously I can’t leave your aunt.”

“Maybe I’m overreacting,” I said, feeling embarrassed.

“Maybe you are,” he agreed, “but your instincts tell you that you’re not, and you have to listen to your instincts. When will you be leaving? I’m guessing not right at nine.”

“Maybe ten minutes after? I need to clean the machines. I locked the front door, which means I’m in control of who comes in.”

“Good. Smart.” I heard the pride in his voice. “I’ll have someone out back by nine just in case you finish early. That way you’re not sitting in there alone. But don’t leave until I tell you they’re there.” He paused, and when he spoke next, emotion filled his voice. “I wish I could come get you myself.”

“I’m fine. He left. He didn’t do anything. He just looked scary.”

He started to say something, then cleared his throat. “I think I should stay with you tonight.”

My heart fluttered. “I think you should too,” I said huskily. “But not because I got scared. I want you to stay for other reasons.” I glanced back at the girls to make sure they hadn’t overheard me, but their heads were all bent together as they rehashed what had just happened.

“Are you sure?” Noah asked, his voice deep. The timbre sent a thrill through my veins.

“Very.”

“I’d like that.” He paused. “Have you eaten dinner?”

“I had a muffin earlier and a chai tea an hour ago.”

“I’ll have something waiting for you when you get home.”

I grinned. “That sounds kind of dirty, Noah.”

He laughed. “Read into it what you will.”

It felt weird and slightly wrong to feel so happy while all this awful stuff going on, but if I’d learned nothing else over the last few months it was to take happiness where I could find it.

I hung up and started preparing to close the shop, but I kept shooting glances to the door.

The girls’ ride showed up a few minutes before nine. I unlocked the door after they confirmed the woman at the door was one of their mothers.

I locked the door behind them after making sure they were all loaded into the minivan. I was nearly done closing when I checked my phone and saw that Noah had texted me his friend Neil’s number and said he was waiting out back.

I texted Neil that I was about to come out, and when I opened the back door he was standing a few feet from the door, wearing jeans. His hands were stuffed in the pockets of a bomber jacket.

“You’re not on duty?” I asked in surprise.

“No ma’am…er, I mean miss, but I wasn’t doin’ anything, and Noah’s tied up.”

I handed him a to-go cup. “Then I’mreallyglad I made you this latte before I cleaned the espresso machine. It’s decaf, so it won’t keep you up.”

A smile lit up his face as he took the cup. “Thanks!”

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