Page 28 of The Harborer
He pulled out one of the sturdier looking chairs and lowered himself into it. “Two percent is perfect.”
“Mind if I join you?”
“Please do.” Any excuse to stick around a little longer was fine by him, his fatigue long forgotten. “Micky won’t mind if I’m hanging out with you?”
She had turned toward the counter where she’d placed the milk, and even though her back was to him, he noticed a stutter that seemed to move through her entire body. A beat later, she reached for two glasses in an overhead cabinet. “I don’t see how he could. I mean, you guys have been friends for ages, so what would there be for him to mind? Besides, he’s not here, and I have no idea when he’s coming home.” Her tone held an unmistakable edge.
Shane leaned forward, his forearms on the scarred table top, debating whether to press her about what was going on and, most importantly, whether she was safe. Before he could formulate the question, though, she whirled.
“I’m moving out.”
His back went ramrod straight, and before he could stop himself, he blurted, “When?”Shit!That hadn’t come out right. He should have asked something else, anything else, that would have masked how ridiculously excited he was to hear the news.“Are you all right? Do you feel safe? Do you need counseling?”or a simple“Why?”
She cast her eyes down and swallowed. The hand holding the milk visibly shook, and he rose, moving closer, ready to take the carton from her.
She looked up at him with big, haunted eyes. Obsidian shimmered with flecks of gold beneath the surface, full of vulnerability so palpable his heart squeezed. Up close like this, her features sharpened, a striking combination of high cheekbones, straight nose, and smooth skin the color of warm teak kissed by sunlight. He grabbed the reins on his galloping heart and gave them a hard yank.
“Do you hate me?”
His head jerked back. “Why would I hate you?”
“Micky’s your friend.”
“So are you.”
Her entire body seemed to relax. “Micky doesn’t know yet.” Eyes downcast once more, she spoke in a voice that was small and flat, as if talking into a void. She set the carton down and rubbed her slender fingers over her forehead. “Oh Lord, I’m so sorry to lay this on you.”
“Don’t be sorry. Sounds like you need to get it off your chest.” His own puffed a little with the knowledge she’d confided in him.
Her eyes darted back to his. “I’m not sure I knew until just now that it wasonmy chest,” she laugh-snorted.
Shane gave her a reassuring half-smile. “Your secret’s safe with me. When are you planning to tell him?”
“I was hoping to tell him today, but I never got the chance. I’ve already signed a lease. I’m worried he’s going to find out from someone besides me. That wouldn’t be right.”
His thoughts in a blender, Shane picked up the carton, popped open the spout, and began to pour the milk into the glasses. She didn’t stop him, merely stood watching his movements as if in a trance.
“How do you think he’ll react?”
“I have no idea. Part of me thinks he won’t react at all, while another part of me worries he’ll rage at me.”
He handed her a full glass, his protectiveness in full array. “Is that something he does? Rage at you?”
“No, not really. I mean, he blows up, but it usually passes quickly. He’s never raised a hand against me. If he had, I’d have been gone a long time ago.”
“Where are you moving?” he finally thought to ask.
“There’s a one-bedroom above the Vogue Vault that Winona put up for rent.”
Thank God she was staying in Fall River. But … Winona?Oh, shit.“When did you sign?”
“Two days ago. I bet I know what you’re thinking, but it’s worse. I signed the lease with Germaine.”
He took a sip of milk to have something to do. “Thatisworse.” Germaine had grown up with them, but she was best known for her love of gossip, usually sprinkled with a toxic blend of pettiness and spite. Germaine loved feeding off other people’s misery.
“I think she left town—I didn’t see her at the Big Event today—so I might have another day or two before word spreads.” Amy’s eyes now filled with hope he hated to dash, so he didn’t.
“When do you move in?”
