Page 41 of Unbearable

“Everything okay, Dotty? You look a little pale,” Henry asked, his tone deceptively casual as he slid back into his chair.

I pushed my phone back into my purse. “Yeah, sorry. Just a spam text.”

“I hate those. I get them all the time too. So annoying,” he said, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.

We finished our dinners, and Henry insisted on paying, although he agreed to let me cover the tip. We walked out into the parking lot as the night drew to a close. Standing in front of his car, saying our goodbyes, he leaned in for a good night kiss. Instinctively, I pulled back, knowing this wasn’t going anywhere.

“Henry, thank you for a lovely evening and for dinner,” I said, my voice soft with regret. “But I think we are better off as friends.” I slowly lifted my eyes to meet his gaze.

His expression faltered for a moment, anger flickering across his features before he quickly masked it with a gracious smile. “Can’t say I’m not a little disappointed. I thought we had something here,” he said, and while his words seemed gentle, there was an underlying tension that made my skin prickle. “But I understand. Friends it is,” he agreed.

“Thanks for dinner. Have a good night, Henry.”

I watched as he walked over to his car and drove off.

As I slipped into the driver’s seat of Grandpa’s old truck, echoes of the evening filled my mind. My anxiety hadn’t calmed, even though Henry took everything fairly well. It continued to curl around my chest like an invisible weight. I tried to steady myself with deep breaths.

After several moments, I attempted to start the engine, to no avail. The engine sputtered but never turned over. I let out a frustrated groan.

Just my luck.

Glancing across the parking lot, there were only a few cars in sight and none that I recognized. Pulling up my family group chat, I sent off a text.

Me

Anyone free right now to pick me up from The Cove? The truck won’t start.

Dorian

Sorry, just got Gracie to sleep. If you can’t find a ride, give me a call, and I’ll wake her.

Sawyer

Sorry, sis. Wish I was in town. I’ll call someone to tow it to the shop tomorrow.

Colt

On a case right now. Can Trent pick you up?

My dad hadn’t replied, but knowing him, he was probably already in bed for the night. I let out another groan before shooting off another text.

Me

Any chance you’re not doing anything right now?

Trent’s response was a phone call. My head fell to the steering wheel.

“Hello?” I groaned.

“What’s wrong?” His voice was laced with bitterness.

“Nothing. Well, not nothing.” I sighed. “The truck won’t start.” I lightly pounded on the steering wheel with my head. “Dorian already put Gracie down, and Colt is busy at the station. I didn’t want to bother my dad this late. Any chance you could grab me?”

“Where’s Henry?” he bit out.

“He left. I didn’t realize the truck wasn’t going to start when I said goodbye.”

“He should have seen you off,” he snapped.

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