Page 63 of Shattering Nash

Charley froze and slowly turned. Inez pointed to the seat at the breakfast bar. “Sit down.”

“Inez, I think it’s best if she leaves,” Nash said.

Inez smirked and slowly turned. “I bet you do. But this ain’t your home, Nash. It’s mine. Charley, I’m not telling you again.”

Charley rushed to the stool, hopping up and clasping her hands in her lap. Inez tore her gaze from Nash and walked over to the counter in front of her. She ripped off the foil from the bread and the aroma filled the room.

Inez stared at it for way too long. Charley shifted in her seat, sneaking a peak up at Nash. His eyes were trained on her without an ounce of softness. This whole scene was uncomfortable, and she’d have given anything to leave.What am I missing?

“You make this?” Inez asked, and Charley turned her attention back to her landlord.

“Yes.”

Inez slowly nodded and leaned across the counter, grabbing a huge knife from the block. She lifted it and slammed it down, slicing off a piece at the end. It was rather dramatic, and Charley sat back in her chair. It wasn’t necessarily hostile, but it didn’t receive the usual reception when she made baked goods for others.

“Eat it.” Inez snapped, pointing the knife at the lone slice on the edge of the plate.

“Oh, no, I made it for you, I don’t…”

Inez moved closer and waved the knife inches from her face. Charley was already sitting to the back of the chair with little room to move away. Her heart pounded, and her throat thickened, staring at the pointy edge of the sharp, large knife.

“Inez.” Nash growled.

Inez ignored him, and the knife moved a few inches closer. “Eat it.”

“O-okay,” Charley reached her arm out, keeping as much distance as possible between herself and the blade. Her fingers gripped the piece, and she slowly brought it to her mouth,taking a bite. It was possibly the best she’d ever made. It still wasn’t as good as her mother’s but definitely a close second. Unfortunately, she’d taken too big of a bite and with her nerves on high alert, her mouth was drier than usual. Inez never took her eyes off her as she chewed. When she bit into a walnut chunk, her eyes widened, and she flattened her lips.Shit!

Charley was usually adamant about asking people about food allergies before making them anything. She hadn’t this time.

Immediately, Inez started waving the knife closer to Charley’s face, and she jerked back and gasped.

“What the fuck was that?” Inez shouted.

Charley shook her head, realizing she had taken too much bread down her throat, and it felt as if it was lodged. She forcibly coughed and covered her mouth.

“Christ, Inez,” Nash said in the distance, and seconds later, his hand slapped her back. “Get her some water.”

Charley’s eyes welled as she choked on the bread.

“I ain’t getting her shit. What the fuck is in that?”

Charley could barely follow the conversation, and she opened her mouth, desperate for air. And with one hard pound to her back, she got it. The bread dislodged, and she gasped a breath.

“Nuts,” she choked out, coughing and gripping her throat. Her nose started to run, and a tear slipped down her cheek. “I-I should’ve asked.”

Charley sniffled, and Nash’s hand caressed over her back, circling.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Inez shouted.

“I usually ask if people have nut allergies before I make the bread because of the walnuts. I can make another one without.”

Inez furrowed her brows and darted her gaze between Charley and the bread. Charley covered her mouth and coughed,then swiped her cheeks. She was a mess but felt comforted with Nash’s hand on her back.

Inez walked to the cabinet, grabbed a glass, and filled it with water. She placed it in front of Charley, and without hesitation, Charley grabbed it, taking a large gulp. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand as the embarrassment set in. She’d almost choked to possible death on banana bread. That was not a headline anyone wanted to see.

“I’m sorry,” she muttered, and Nash’s hand stilled on her back.

“Why the hell are you sorry?” Inez asked, scowling.

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