Page 12 of Silent Comrade
“Britt, I’m sorry about earlier today.”
“Huh.” Not the first words she had expectedto come out of his mouth. She crossed her arms. “Go on.”
He ducked his head. Goddamn how the beanieand—she squinted—the uncreased tan t-shirt and stiff brown denimjacket made him appear casual but pulled together at the same time.Still seemed like too much effort to look effortless.
She rubbed her gritty eyes. Wow, did sheneed sleep.
Shoving his phone in a pocket, he said,“Granny had some issues this morning. I had to help her get to adoctor’s appointment and then bring her back home.”
Some excu—what? She studied his earnestexpression. Her lungs deflated, along with her pride. Well,crap.
“Your granny?” she managed to spit out.
A half-smile. “I would have called you,but…” He patted the pocket. “Somehow didn’t manage to enter yournumber, because my life is a complete mess.”
Not ready to give up, she pressed him. “Whatwas wrong with your granny?”
“Uh, she was having trouble with herdiabetes. Feeling weak. Needed help adjusting medications and thenpicking them up at the pharmacy. While I was at her house, I fixedsome electrical stuff.”
“Now you’re an electrician?”
His gaze hit hers, then slid away. “I havesome skills in that area, yes.”
“No way.”
“I wasn’t always a fashion student, youknow.” Why did that statement sound proud and wistful and cagey? Hewaved a hand to cut off her next question. “Enough about me. I waswaiting here, hoping to apologize and make it up to you.”
In a flash, Britt went from irritated tointrigued. Mostly, because her brain projected every permutation of“make it up to you” in vivid panorama. A piece of what he saidpenetrated her hazy mind. “You were waiting here?”
When he rubbed his neck, the movement drewher attention to the cords of lean muscle not hidden by the jacket.He shrugged. “It’s late, huh? You must be working hard.”
“Wait. You’ve been out here for howlong?”
“A while.”
“Like a stalker?”
“Hell, I hope not.” He fished for his phoneand thumbed through a few screens. “Here. Proof of Granny.” Apicture of a smiling gray-haired woman filled the screen.
“This could be anyone.”
“My God, you’re making me sweat.” He tookthe phone back and swiped a few more times. “Try this one.” The oddangle of two selfie faces greeted her. Al and his granny.
She rocked back on her heels. Didn’t Brittfeel like an idiot. He had been telling the truth all along. “Sowhy didn’t you come into the lab?”
“Didn’t want to bother you. Also, kind ofchicken. Figured I was in the doghouse after earlier today.Interrupting you might have ended my life.” Another sheepish grin.But there was an intensity behind it that didn’t quite fit. Like hewas trying too hard to be meek, while also assessing everythingaround him.
Hewastrying to apologize. And thepictures counted for something, right?
Uncrossing her arms, she hooked a thumbunder a backpack strap. Mom had always said to give people grace.Britt could be cautious and give grace at the same time.“Okay.”
“Um, okay what?”
A smile stretched her cheeks. “Okay, I’llspot you this one. Sounds like your granny needed the helptoday.”
He stared at the floor. “You have no idea.”He propped a booted sole flat against the wall. “Dinner?”
“Sure, what day?”
