Page 4 of Look My Way
“It’s going. A little slow, but I’m sure it’ll pick up soon. I’m going to grab some food and head back. You sure you don’t need me to stay again?”
“I’m sure.” I didn’t need him yesterday either, but he convinced me I did in my fatigued state. I was too tired to argue and allowed him to carry me into the shower and bathe me. My skin still burns from the roughness of the towel whenever he scrubbed too hard. It was his version of caring for me while reminding me of what he’s capable of if I make the wrong move.
“Okay. I might be home a little late again. Jared needs help moving furniture from his mom’s place into storage.”
“Okay. I’ll start dinner two hours later just in case.”
“Thanks, baby. Make enough for Jared too. I’m sure he’ll be hungry by the time we’re done.”
Oh, I’m sure too. Jared’s his partner, the guy whose cologne he smells of a lot lately. I only know it because it wrapped around his strong cedar and spice scent like a cloud last time he brought Jared over for lunch. I cooked us all food and got to see him constantly glance at my fiancé from across the table. When I asked if something was going on between them, Daniel said I was being paranoid and blamed my delusions on my lack of sleep. Everything is either in my head or my fault.
He’s right, though, it’s not like I have any proof. Only my own insecurities causing me to see things that aren’t really there. Daniel loves me, I know he does, and I have to keep trusting in everything he’s done for us to live the life we do. He’s the reason I wake up in a nice house every day, that I landed the writing career I have, and he’s marrying me sooner than planned so I’m able to get on his insurance plan. He’s been there for me more than my own family, and he didn’t abandon me like all my friends did. Daniel stuck around when I was at my worst, and that’s the reason I always try hard to see past his bad days.
“Will do. Have a good rest of your day,” I finally say, pretending to sip from my cup.
Stepping closer, he presses a kiss to my cheek. “I’ll try, but it won’t be easy without you. After dinner, we’ll stay up a little later than usual and watch that movie you’ve been wanting to see too.”
“Can’t wait.” I shoot him a smile.
He runs his hand along my hip possessively while kissing me again. “Fuck, I love you. You know that?”
“Yes.” I force a smile. “Now go before you’re late.”
He chuckles, running his nose along my neck. Can he smell the diner on me? “See you later.” He squeezes my ass gently and grabs a container from the fridge before heading out. I sink against the counter, breathing better when the front door closes and locks behind him.
He didn’t know I was gone. He couldn’t tell. I was too careless today. He’s right about the risks I take leaving the house, especially when I’m suffering from bad migraines to the point it could affect my eyesight. He only gets angry when I give him reasons to worry. It’s my fault for triggering his bad temper. I down the rest of my coffee and set the mug in the sink.
Heading for my office, I take my laptop with me and dive into a life that’s not mine—a simpler one. Not meaning to do it, I write the stranger from today into my story, and instead of Lex fleeing right after the accident like I did, he stays and lets the man he saved thank him by buying him a drink. I’m not sure if it’s because what happened today makes for a great plot line and meet cute, or if it’s because for whatever reason I can’t get the way he looked at me out of my head.
I wasn’t the weak, sick man Daniel sees every day. I was the man who was capable enough to save someone else’s life. And the way the man looked at me, in awe and gratitude, made it hard to walk away because I knew I’d go back to feeling like nothing but a burden once I was back home.
Three
Zavier
I go back to Hank’s diner for something more than the food. I’m not sure what it was about him and why I couldn’t get my mysterious hero out of my head. Not sure if it’s how he stuck his neck out for some random stranger, or if it was the fake smile he gave me. I recognized it. I’ve used it many times to hide what was really going on inside. I’ve recognized it in Felice and my mom. So I tell myself I’m just here to make sure he’s okay. That’s all.
Because that’s what I do when I suspect someone might need my help. But perhaps I’m only bullshitting myself. A fluttery sensation stirring in me confirms I am, especially when those bright eyes pop back into my head, along with the memory of the way his skin left mine buzzing.
Still, he could need my help. He looked like he was running in fear from something with the way his gaze kept circling the parking lot. A blonde waitress seats me at a table by the window, setting a menu down in front of me.
“You know what you’d like to drink, hun?” Her pen taps loudly against her pad.
“I’ll take a diet Pepsi.”
“You got it. I’ll be right back with that and give you some time to look over the menu.” She rushes off to the table behind me before I can respond, and I look down at the menu, scanning the front before flipping to the other side. As I’m debating between the chicken tender basket and classic hamburger the bell on the front door rings. Lifting my head, my eyes land right on a pair of familiar blue ones. His large eyes blink when I wave him over, and I gesture at the seat in front of me.
With a little hesitation in his eyes, he looks away and then back at me before pointing in my direction when the waitress lifts a menu from the front desk.
Smiling, she watches as he heads my way with careful steps. Rubbing his neck, he glances behind him and then out the window, and as he takes a seat across from me, he forces a smile as he continues to scan the room. Why does he keep doing that? I doubt I’d get the truth if I asked him, and it’ll take more than one lunch together to find out the answer by myself. I’m willing to go to the extra trouble, though. Gives me a reason to start eating at a decent time too, and to go somewhere other than my house between working. I’ve never cared to pick up a new hobby, being more than satisfied with the one I already have, but I guess today is the day that changes.
“Hi again,” I say, placing my hands on the table. Socializing with strangers isn’t an easy thing for me, but it is with him. I want to keep talking until he relaxes and doesn’t look like he wants to crawl out of his skin. I want to help him like he helped me.
“Hi,” he responds, the word coming out not much louder than a whisper. “You came back.”
“So did you.”
“I always come here. It’s where I come to work.” That’s when I notice the backpack in his hand as he tucks it under his seat.
