Page 20 of Beneath the Surface

“Whatever I’m needed for.”

I roll my eyes. “That’s extremely vague.”

He shrugs. “NDAs.”

A shiver skates its way up my spine and I step back, suddenly on edge around him. His avoidance of actually answering any questions throws me off-kilter, like there are secrets about him that I’m not sure I want to unravel.

“Lily?” Johnny’s voice yells from the back.

I look behind me before glancing at Alex again. “Okay, well let me know if you need anything,friend.”

He jerks his chin and then his attention is gone, his eyes locked on the pages of his paperback.

Saturday afternoons are our busiest times, lots of travelers stopping through, grabbing a bite on their way to somewhere bigger and better. So it isn’t until I have a second to breathe—when my shift is winding down—that I acknowledge Alex isstillhere, sitting in that same booth, garnering stares from everyone who sees him.

The bell above the door chimes, and I turn toward the noise, wondering who would be here at nine p.m. when we’re about to close. Susan comes whirling in, a wild look in her eye. My heart stops, free-falling to the floor when I see a sleepy Chase in her arms, gripping his stuffed Spider-Man tight. I drop the wet rag from my hand and rush over.

“Susan, what’s wrong?”

“Honey, I’m… I’m so sorry, but my sister’s in the hospital in Phoenix. Some idiot slammed into her, and I’m the closest family she’s got. I tried to call first but Johnny said you were busy, so I’m just here to drop off Chase.”

I nod, tension cinching my gut. “Okay, of course. No problem, thanks for bringing him by. I’m so sorry about your sister.”

She nods, tears lining her eyes as she transfers Chase to my arms and rushes out the door. Chase mumbles, his sleepy eyes opening as he peers up at me. “Mommy?”

I brush my hand across his forehead. “Yeah, baby. I’m here. You’re gonna have to hang out at Mommy’s work for a while okay?”

His bottom lip turns down. “Why?”

“Because Susan had to leave, and you can’t be alone.”

“Why?”

“Because I said so.” I boop his nose.

Chase’s nose crinkles and I glance around, wondering where I can place him while I finish up for the night. My chest pulls tight as my gaze locks on Alex.

His head is angled down, and he seems completely oblivious to what’s going on around him. The thought of putting Chase with him makes me uncomfortable, but not as uncomfortable as leaving him alone.

Time to swallow some pride.

Chase fidgets, his body wiggling against me until I set him on the ground, grabbing his hand instead as I walk us toward the back booth.

Alex’s head snaps up as we approach, his eyes bouncing between us.

“Hi,” I say.

He runs a hand through his hair, the fluorescent lights glinting off his jewelry.

I sigh. “Can he sit with you?”

Alex’s jaw tightens, and for just a moment, I think he’s going to say no, but then his eyes leave mine and land on Chase’s, and a blinding smile lights up his face. One that catches me off guard and slugs me in the chest.

“Of course,” he says. “I’m lonely over here being ignored by you, anyway.”

“I’m notignoringyou.” I scoff. “I’m working.”

I crouch down in front of Chase. “You’re gonna sit with Mommy’s friend while I finish up, okay? Do you remember asking about him?”

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