Page 41 of Safe With Me

“No. He was holding onto her waist like a…lover.” She raised her eyes to the ceiling. “We never said we were exclusive.”

“Hmm. Maybe some things need to be cleared up between you two before you judge this as a disaster.”

“Maybe.” But she doubted it. Her phone buzzed. She checked the ID. “It’s him.”

“Don’t answer it. We need to talk some more.”

“About what?”

“About what exactly you want from him. You’re going to stay here with me and we’ll hash this out.”

“Okay. Thanks,Cami.”

“You’re welcome,Stephie.”

* * *

Stephhad left without waiting for him, andPaxwas puzzled by it. He led Mutt to the car and headed home. When he took the dog out, he tried her cell again. It went to voice mail.

The hell with it. He’d go over to her apartment. He hoped she wasn’t sick or anything. Now, he worried. He and Mutt got back in the car and headed to her house. He drove around back; there was no car in the parking space. He got out and knocked on the door. “Steph,” he called out. Mutt barked.

No answer. He fished thekeychainout of his jacket pocket and used the spare she’d given him after they slept together. She had one to his house, too. He and Mutt walked inside.

The apartment was empty. He could feel it. “I don’t think she’s here, Mutt.”

The dog went to the bed she’d put out for him and settled in.

Paxwalked to her bedroom, just in case. Nope, no sign of her. What to do? Maybe he’d wait. He took off his jacket and stretched out on the comfy couch which overlooked the trees. The place was soothing. Soon his eyes closed.

Someone was shaking him. He awoke and sawSteph, standing over him.

“Pax. What are you doing here?”

“You left without saying goodbye. I called, then came here to make sure you weren’t in bed sick. I must have fallen asleep.”

“You couldn’t have been too worried.”

He sat up. “Sweetheart, where have you been? It’s two o’clock in the morning. What’s going on?”

She sat down beside him. Lines etched around her eyes, which were swollen. “You tell me.”

“I’m flummoxed.”

“You didn’t see me before I left.” She swallowed hard. “I went back to the staffing area to get my stuff and I sawyou. With Noreen.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“For what,Pax? For kissing another woman? For cheating on me, like Don did?”

“Don’t put me in his category.”

“It fits. Do you have any idea…” Tears came to her eyes and fell onto her cheeks. “Any idea what that feels like to someone who’s in love with you?”

He held her gaze and said simply, “I love you, too.”

“Don’t. I saw what I saw. You kissed her back.”

“For a few seconds. I was startled but it felt familiar. Like I said, for a few seconds. You didn’t stay to see that I pushed her away and told her I was involved with you and not to do anything like again.”

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