Page 7 of Saving Salem
“Sounds like we’ve got a good starting point. I’m sure Ms. McNamara-Barnes will fight for Salem and Chloe. Who wouldn’t, once they know all the facts?” Ms. Patti stood, Chloe still nestled in her arms. When she looked down at the bundle in her arms, the look on her face nearly brought Jack to tears. So much unconditional love was in her gaze. He was definitely envious of the Boudreaus having grown up with that kind of affection.
“I’m going to call it a night. I’ve got court in the morning, and I still need to go over everything. Salem, if you need anything, or think of anything Ivy might need to know, don’t hesitate to call me.” Chance rested his hand lightly on Salem’s shoulder, squeezing gently. “We’ve got your back. Try not to worry. Yeah, I know that’s hard, but you won’t do Chloe any good if you’re a nervous wreck.”
“Thank you all. I knew you’d be able to tell me what to do. You’ve become such good friends. Meeting you all, it’s the one of the few bright spots out of the whole Tarik fiasco.”
“Come on, Salem. Let’s get you and this precious one upstairs, so you can unpack and get settled. Everything will look better in the morning.” Salem rose and walked behind Ms. Patti out of the kitchen, Jack’s eyes following them closely.
“I need to be going too. Douglas, thank your wife for a lovely dinner.” Chance’s muffled snort drew his gaze to the other man. “What?”
“You sound so formal, like you’re practically a stranger, instead of one of Rafe’s good friends. I think you’ve been around us Boudreaus long enough to realize we don’t stand on formality.”
“What my son’s trying to say is you’re welcome at our table and in our home anytime, Jack.” Douglas’ arm went around his shoulder and, for a moment, Jack knew what it must feel like to be part of their clan—and it felt right.
“I—thank you. That means a lot.”
Rafe walked him to his car, and Jack opened the door, ready to slide inside for the long drive back to town.
“She’s scared, rightly so. I hate to say this, buddy, but now might not be the time to pursue the girl.”
“You’re an idiot, you know that? Even if I had any intention of pursuing Salem, as you so succinctly put it, she’d never consider starting a relationship now. After the way Tarik treated her, and now his family going after her child? I doubt she’ll ever date anyone again.”
“I’m sorry all the same. Honestly, I think you’d both be a good match. Maybe, after this all plays out and the dust settles, you might think about asking her out then.”
Jack shook his head. “Nope. I missed my shot not asking her out months ago. Now—well, my loss.”
Without another word, he climbed behind the wheel of his car and pulled down the drive, watching Rafe in the rearview, standing with his hands in his pockets, staring at Jack’s departing car. It hurt to say those words to his friend, even though they were true. He’d missed any shot at having anything with Salem.
He’d have to settle with helping her defeat the Amir family and keeping Chloe safe.
CHAPTER FOUR
Salem pulled intothe parking space in front of Daisy’s Diner, mixed feelings bombarding her. It felt strange to not have Chloe with her, but Ms. Patti insisted she take a break and leave Chloe at the Big House. She hadn’t protested too hard, since Tessa, Beth, and Serena had all showed up, claiming they wanted to spend time with her daughter. Beth had brought along her son, and seeing the two babies react to spotting each other, reaching out like they were best buddies, had been the cutest thing Salem had seen in a long time.
That wasn’t the reason for her nerves, though. No, that sat solely with the person standing on the sidewalk in front of Daisy’s.
Gabi.
Salem had finally gotten up the courage to call her the night before, after a little not-so-subtle nudge from Ms. Patti. It wasn’t that she hadn’t planned to let Gabi know what was going on, she truly had, but Gabi had given birth not that long ago, and she needed to spend her time with her daughter, not worrying about Salem—again.
Gabi Boudreau Roberts was her best friend. Her confidant. Her sister of the heart. They’d spent so much time together, people at college had often referred to them as sisters. When they’d decided to travel around Europe after graduation, Gabi had been the one who’d warned her not to get too deeply involved with Tarik when she’d met him in Italy. Said there was something she didn’t trust about the debonair playboy, yet Salem hadn’t listened. Instead, she’d allowed the glorious Italian countryside and Tarik’s romantic overtures cloud her judgment. Who wouldn’t when they’d been starved for affection, and had a gorgeous man showered her with compliments and gifts?
For the first time in forever, there was somebody who claimed to love her despite her quirkiness, her artsy inclinations. Who didn’t mind when she lost herself in her paintings, spending hours picking out the perfect colors for a sunset. Tarik declared her work inspired him, and he’d said and done all the right things to make her fall head over heels in love. Truly in love for the first time in her life.
Never again.
She’d followed her heart once, and it had almost cost her everything—her freedom, her sanity and nearly her life. Gabi had been the one Salem had run to when she’d escaped from the Amir compound. She refused to call it a home, because there was nothing about the huge house where they lived that could be considered home-like. Gabi had been her refuge, her safe place, the one person she knew would accept her story as truth and protect her, in spite of her foolishness.
The Amir compound had stifled her, made her feel small and afraid. Armed guards patrolled day and night. The local villagers who worked on the estate were terrified of Tarik’s family. And they were especially terrified of Tarik himself, who had changed from the soft-spoken, sweet, loving man she’d become engaged to, to the domineering, ruthless despot almost as soon as they arrived at his family’s compound.
Shaking her head, she climbed from behind the wheel, and headed toward Gabi, who met her halfway. Gabi’s arms wrapped around Salem, squeezing hard enough the air rushed from her lungs.
“Can’t…breathe…”
“Don’t…care…” Gaby responded before slowly releasing her. “How could you leave without a word? I’ve been worried half out of my mind. And I’m the last one to know you’re in trouble?”
“Gabi—”
“Don’t you Gabi me. I’m so mad I don’t know whether to hug you again or smack you upside the head.” A beat later, Salem felt Gabi’s open hand pop her lightly against the back of her head. She chuckled softly, knowing she deserved it.
