Page 28 of Legacy of Lies
“Hank, that’s enough,” Garrison said, voice low and controlled. Too controlled.
They were so not doing this ... drama in a public place. She forced the words out around her tight throat. “All righty, then. Well, you take care now.”
Garrison turned his back on a leering Hank and held open the door for her. Despite her coat, she wanted to cover herself up even more.
As he walked at her side across the parking lot, she welcomed his solid presence even in the safe community of Copper River. Tiny flakes of snow fell in the early evening. Besides the few cars moving down Main Street, no one else was outside. The chilly air remained still around them.
Pausing at her car door, he said, “Pardon my French, but Hank’s a massive asshole.”
“So says Mr. Obvious.” Despite herself, she giggled. The genuine smile felt good but didn’t erase the hurt deep down. “Life is better without him anywhere in the general vicinity.”
“Agreed.” Garrison rubbed his neck. “For you and for me.”
“So, thanks for helping me deal with ...”
He flicked his hand like the memory of a certain jerk could be tossed away.
If only it were so easy.
He cleared his throat. “Well, uh, thank you for trying to help my boy.”
“Of course. I’ll keep trying to figure out a solution for him.”
“Whatever you decide, don’t put your job in jeopardy. Please.”
“I’ll be careful. And I’m sorry for the comment about your divorce.”
“It’s long forgotten, along with the ex-wife. You’re fine. Believe me.”
“Oh.” She looked around for something useful to say. Nothing came to mind.
He toyed with the edge of his jacket. “So, Sara ...?” The smooth rumble of his voice set her insides quivering.
The top half of his face hid in shadow beneath the hat. She could barely see his eyes but felt them boring into her face.
“This evening was nice,” he said. “Besides the Hank stupidity.”
“I agree. God, he’s a jerk.”
One boot toed the gravel. “You think we could try another dinner together sometime? Minus the dumbass?”
Her heart stumbled two beats. “Like a date?” she blurted. “Even after what Hank—”
“Anything that man says, I tend to think the exact opposite. He’s not worth the oxygen wasted to speak his name.”
“True.”
Puffs of vapor drifted up between them as they breathed.
“So, then,” he said. “Dinner later? A ... date?”
“Uh, sure. Yes.” Typing his number, she texted him her info. Her stuttering heart continued to trip along.
There wasn’t much to do, but she didn’t want to leave. Not yet. The silence stretched for too long.
He tilted his hat up an inch with his thumb. “I’d like to give you a kiss good night, if you’d oblige.”
Back on its feet, her heart now scampered in place. “Okay,” she whispered.
