Page 31 of Delicate Escape

“One-track mind,” Sutton answered. “Always thinking about sugar.”

“And we’re damn thankful for that,” Rhodes shot back, then turned to me as she paid, a grin pulling at her lips. “Shep said he’s happy to help with your project.”

Relief and panic swept through me in equal measure. “Okay,” I said, my voice tight as if my throat was strangling the word.

Rhodes saw the strain and reached across the counter, laying her hand over mine. “He’ll have it fixed in no time, and then you won’t have to stress anymore. You get off at three, right?”

I nodded quickly. I’d had to take my car today since my bike was still without tires. “I need to grab one thing on my way home, so I’m there any time after four.”

“I’ll let him know,” Rhodes said, releasing my hand.

The fact that I didn’t have a phone to text him with just made me feel like more of a freak. I did have one of those pay-as-you-go deals shoved into my nightstand, just in case I needed the fire department or the police. But it was one I’d bought with cash at a gas station just before I got to the Oregon state line.

I hadn’t powered the thing up since moving to Sparrow Falls. So,who knew if it even still worked. And the fact that it was a flip phone meant sending a text would take a half hour.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

Something prickled on the back of my neck, a telltale sign that someone was watching.

I did a quick scan of the room, and my eyes landed back on Mara. She was staring again as if trying to put pieces together.

Shit.

The last thing I needed was someone digging into me. When I moved here, I’d begun going by my middle name, hoping that would give me a modicum of protection. But it wasn’t like I had some elaborate fake identity to protect me. If anyone had my first name and did a quick Google search, they’d find everything—including the photos that showed it all.

Bile swirled in my stomach as the heat of shame rose to my cheeks. But I shoved it all down. I hadn’t broken yet, and I wouldn’t start today.

Instead, I got Rhodes her cupcake and added a second to the box. “One for Anson. On me.”

Rhodes grinned. “If you’re not careful, the two of you are going to become besties.”

I snorted at that. Rhodes’ boyfriend was as surly as they came, but the way he melted around her was a sight to behold. “I don’t think there’s any risk of that. His communication skills are limited to grunts and scowls.”

Rhodes burst out laughing. “Come on, he’s getting better at using his words.”

That was true enough. Because she’d changed him. Healed something in him that had brought him back to life. And that was the most precious gift.

I handed her the bakery box just as Sutton offered Mara her latte. Rhodes grinned at me. “Thanks, Thea.” She gave the woman next to her a little wave. “Good to see you, Mara.” And then she bowed toward Sutton. “Thank you, supreme queen of all baked goods.”

Sutton burst out laughing. “I love her.”

“Me, too,” I echoed as Mara followed Rhodes to the door.

Sutton turned to face me. “So, you’re actually going to let Shep help you?”

“Eavesdrop much?” I muttered.

Sutton just grinned. “Gotta get my info somehow.”

I knew she was joking, but I still couldn’t stop a little prickle of guilt from surfacing. She’d been so good to me, and all I’d given her were lies and half-truths.

All amusement fled Sutton’s face. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

I shook my head. “Nothing.”

She sent a stern look my way. “You look like someone just stabbed you. That’s notnothing.”

I swallowed hard, trying to loosen my tightening throat. “I just…I’m not good with people in my space.”

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