Page 38 of The Two Last Moments

I ignore the way my insides flinch at hearing that. “Yeah. Danny’s gone. It was hard to say goodbye.”

“He seemed like a nice guy.”

“He is.” I don’t like that she used the past tense.

And isniceeven the right word? I’ve called him nice a lot, but he’s generous.Kind, even when he’s frustrating. Wonderful even.

Sexy. Can’t forget that.

The brush of our lips together was like a spark ready to ignite a flame. And then it was gone. Extinguished. I wish I’d had more than just that brief taste. What if we’d let those flames catch and burn? Danny’s tattooed chest pressing up against me, his long fingers twisting in my hair as his tongue claims my mouth…

“Lark?”

I glance up. “Sorry, what was that?”

Kathy nods at the menu on the table. “I said, you should order something.”

“I’m not that hungry.”

“You still need to eat. We’ll be here a while longer.” There’s a new sharpness to her voice that wasn’t there before.

“All right.” I order a club sandwich, no mayo, and pick at it when it arrives.

I do my best to keep the conversation going, but it feels stilted. It doesn’t help that Kathy seems even more nervous than before I arrived, not less. Neither of us is eating. I’m not even sure why we’re sitting here.

“What’s my uncle like?” I ask.

“Who?”

“My uncle Ned. Your husband? My mom’s brother?”

“Of course. Sorry, I’m just distracted.”

“It’s okay. I get it. This is a lot to deal with.”

“It is.” She clears her throat and pushes away her tomato soup.

Kathy keeps glancing around the restaurant, and I look behind me, trying to follow her gaze. “Are you expecting anyone else?” I ask.

Her mouth stretches in a stiff smile. “No. Not at all.”

She’s acting weird, but I’m trying to give her the benefit of the doubt. This can’t be easy for her. Driving across the state to pick up her estranged niece who’s lost her memory.

I finger the piece of paper with Danny’s phone number in my pocket.You’re just missing him. Nothing is wrong.

Kathy folds her hands on the table. “You asked about Ned, didn’t you? Actually, I’ve got some great news. You’ll see him later on today. He’ll be in Fresno to meet us.”

Wait, what?

“I thought you said he was in Alaska. Working on an oil rig.”

“I know, but he was able to get back in time for this. He couldn’t wait to see you,” she says too brightly. “Wonderful news, isn’t it?”

Now I’m officially creeped out. I lost my memory, but I didn’t lose all of my common sense.

Kathy gets her phone out and checks it. My brain is churning through too many fears and possibilities.

But I can’t freak out and panic. Danny isn’t here to calm me down, so that means I need to figure this out for myself.

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