Page 65 of Delicate Escape

“Dinner?” I squeaked.

“Nothing fancy,” Shep assured me. “What about The Pop? The food’s a hell of a lot better hot off the grill.”

I’d never eaten at The Pop. I’d gotten takeout or stared at the adorable interior through the windows, but I’d never actually sat in one of the red booths. I’d never wanted to risk people making small talk or getting curious about me. But I was done with that. If I wanted more, I had to reach for it. Which meant I could only say one thing.

“Okay.”

Shep pulledhis truck into a parking spot in front of the fifties-era diner with a neon-accented teal and red sign that readThe Soda Pop. It wasn’t packed since it was still early, but it wasn’t empty either. I rubbed my suddenly damp palms on my jeans.

They were the nicest pair I had. I’d asked Shep to wait while I got cleaned up. He’d said I could go just like I was, but I wasn’t about to do that. So, after I got Moose and the kittens situated, I’d done the best I could in twenty minutes.

Dark jeans and a white, cap-sleeve blouse with little lace accents. I’d even slicked on a little eye shadow, mascara, and some lip gloss. And yet again, I’d decided to leave the contacts behind. Because I wanted to be brave. Wanted to beme. When I stepped outside, Shep had done a head-to-toe scan and said, “If this is what you do with twenty minutes, I’m in trouble.”

My stomach had done a series of acrobatics befitting a Cirque du Soleil show at that. But now I wondered why I thought I was so damn brave. What if someone recognized me as Brendan’s ex, or worse, from one of thosesites? Bile surged, but I swallowed it down.

A hand slipped around mine, fingers weaving. The action was so simple but grounding, making us stronger togetherthan either of us was apart. “If this is too much, I can call in a to-go order and we can take it on a picnic somewhere quiet.”

My gaze moved from the diner to Shep. There was so much understanding in his face. “I want to go inside. I’ve always wanted to eat here. They have those little jukeboxes on the tables.”

A grin pulled at Shep’s mouth. “I think I’ve even got a few nickels to put in a song request or two.” He studied me for a second. “Here’s the deal. If it gets to be too much at any point, just say you need to go. I’ll get the check, and we’ll be gone. We’re going for more but not at the risk of pain.”

There was pain right then. But it was the beautiful kind. The kind that came from a man giving you the sort of understanding you didn’t ever think you’d get. “Sometimes, it’s worth it. Because what’s on the other side is that much sweeter for what you’ve gone through.”

Shep’s thumb swept back and forth across my hand. “Love the way you see the world.” He gave my hand one more squeeze and then let go. “Stay there.”

My brows pulled together as Shep hopped out of the truck and rounded the front. Then he opened my door and smiled.

That flipping sensation was back in my belly. “Such a gentleman.”

Shep’s hand closed around mine again the second my feet were on the pavement. “Sometimes,” he whispered in my ear.

A shiver skated over my skin, the kind that held all sorts of promise.Get ahold of yourself.

If I couldn’t even make it inside a diner without jumping the man, how would I handle living with him?

As if reading my mind, Shep’s grin only widened as he led me toward The Pop.

“It’s not nice to gloat,” I snapped.

He barked out a laugh. “I like knowing I affect you.”

I gave him my best glare, and Shep only laughed harder.

Just as he was about to reach for the door handle, it opened. Shep took a step back to let the person out.

Mara.

Her blue eyes brightened as she caught sight of him, but thatbrightness dulled the instant she took in our joined hands. “Shep,” she croaked. “Thea. Good to see you.”

I didn’t miss the wince on Shep’s face. “You, too,” he said. “Takeout?”

Mara forced a smile. “Movie night with the girls. I’m on food duty.”

“That’ll be fun,” Shep said.

“Yeah.” Mara’s gaze slid to me and then back to Shep. “You guys have a good night.”

“You, too,” I mumbled.

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