Page 12 of Fortune's Control
“I’ll pay you back for the gas and rent.” My bank account had money, and I could get a job. “I’ll correct everyone about our situation moving forward. It’s not your responsibility to rescue me or pretend because I’m the one who created this problem. Don’t create new ones for yourself on my behalf.”
Shane cupped my cheek, stroking with his thumb. “Let’s get your car, Lilah, and worry about the rest later.”
*****
I parked beside him, listening to the slow tick of the car engine as it cooled. A wave of loneliness hit as I covered my face and buried it in the steering wheel. My wavy hair had turned drab and frizzy, and I forgot to eat breakfast. I should give up and return to Atlanta.
Shane knocked on my window and motioned for me to roll it down. “Are you all right?”
“Is this the part where you ask if I need help again? You must be tired of that question.” I shut the window and openedthe door. Feeling sorry for myself wouldn’t solve any problems or endear me to my new husband and brave savior. I survived Wilson Skane; I could manage polite concern from a decent person. “That was rude of me. I’m sorry. Thank you again for this morning.”
My stomach growled, loud enough for both of us to hear it.
“You’re hungry. Have you eaten?”
“No.” The word squeaked out of me.
He glanced up at the garage apartment. “There isn’t much food, is there? I’ll take you grocery shopping tomorrow, and in the meantime, help yourself to my kitchen. Don’t starve because of an imagined imposition.”
I winced at his accurate callout. “Thank you. One more request. Do you have a phone I can use? I promised my friend Emma that I’d call her.”
His eyes narrowed. “What happened to yours?”
“It’s broken. I broke it.”
He handed it over. “Set it on the back porch when you’re done.”
*****
I considered calling Sarah Jane and decided against it. She didn’t even know I was in Fortune’s Creek. My promised phone call to Emma was next. I dialed her number, hoping it wouldn’t go straight to voicemail.
“I don’t buy things from strangers on the phone. Also, you should reconsider your life choices. Is this really what you want?” An infamous Emma greeting.
“It’s me.”
She shrieked into the phone. “I was so worried when you didn’t call yesterday.”
“There were a few mishaps, and my phone broke. Also, I did somethingstupid.”
“You moved back in with your mother.”
As if she’d allow it. I was in the way as a child; it would be the same as an adult. “Worse. I got married.”
She shrieked again. “Are you in Vegas?”
“No, I’m in Fortune’s Creek. What should I do? Tell me because I am freaking out.”
“First, tell me what happened. Detailed. A painful amount of detail.”
I relayed the previous night, almost down to the second, right until the moment I called. “So what do I do?”
“Is he around?”
“Shane?” I rose from the deck chair and faced the house. Suspicion said he was watching me right now. “He’s here.”
“Then let me talk to him.”
“If you insist.” The back door opened before I could knock. “My friend wants to talk to you.”
