Page 40 of Absolution

I raised my voice. In response, she grumbled.

“What? Go away, Jacob, I’m sleeping.”

To hear her say another man’s name gutted me. I pushed back the hurt and shook her again, this time not quite as gentle as the first.

“It’s Leo, actually. Get up.”

Sluggishly, Gina moved the covers off and sat up, barely able to keep her eyes open. She pushed her hair out of her face and huffed.

“I’m up.”

Gina muttered something indistinguishable as she crawled out of bed and headed into her en suite bathroom without another word. Within minutes I heard the shower running. This was the first time I’d been in her room, and I glanced around taking it in.

When we were kids, we’d been stuck in utilitarian rooms. I remembered having a basic blue bedspread with scattered bleach stains. The only furniture, besides the bed, had been a nightstand that had also served as my dresser, a chipped particle board desk, and a crappy metal folding chair. Gina’s and Gideon’s rooms hadn’t been much different.

While this one wasn’t fancy by any means, she had clothes strewn everywhere. Considering the rest of the house was spotless, I was a little surprised by the mess in here. A few minutes later, Gina reappeared wearing a robe.

She barely glanced at me before disappearing inside her walk-in closet. When she stepped out, she had an armful of clothes. She continued ignoring me and went back into her bathroom, shutting the door with more force than necessary. I turned and went out the kitchen.

I grabbed some eggs out of the fridge and started making breakfast. I used to cook for the guys in my platoon, and it was a task I actually enjoyed. I’d just finished the scrambled eggs when Gina walked through the entryway. She had dark circles under her eyes and looked exhausted.

“I made you breakfast.”

I knew how much this thing with Gideon was taking its toll on her, and it was really pissing me off. I just wanted to put an end to all of it. Josie was still trying to locate him without any luck.

“I’m not hungry.”

“You need to eat something.”

“I don’t want anything. Please.”

Reeling in my patience, I put the eggs in a container and into the fridge for later. I couldn’t force feed her.

“Fine, get your purse.”

* * *

It was sometimeshard to find a parking spot at this time of the morning this close to downtown, but I was able to find one a couple blocks away. Gina barely waited until I had the car in park before she got out.

“What is your problem? Have you forgotten about Gideon already? I can’t protect you if you’re continually trying to get away from me.”

She spun on me. “Of course I haven’t forgotten. I’m reminded of it every single day. I look in the mirror and I’m reminded of him. I look at you and I’m reminded. I never forget, not for a single moment, that he’s coming for me.”

Gina turned her back to me and kept a brisk pace until she got to the boutique.

“Hey babe,” Bridget greeted her when we stepped inside. “You doing okay?”

While they talked, I made myself scarce and grabbed the chair I’d been sitting in every day. I settled in the corner of the shop where I could stay out of the way, but still keep my eyes on the front door and anyone entering. I could also observe Gina. She was a bundle of nervous energy constantly moving. Several times during her shift, she disappeared into the bathroom. I caught her almost falling asleep against a display rack. After a relatively quiet day, it wasn’t until almost closing time that chaos erupted.

“I’m sorry, but we don’t offer refunds on clothes that have been worn.”

“But I didn’t wear it. The tag is still on it. See?”

“The tag may still be attached, but that dress has been worn.”

“What, you don’t believe me? Why would I wear a dress and not take the tag off?” When the woman’s voice grew in volume I rose from the chair and made my way to the counter. Bridget had gone into the back to work on some inventory.

“As a matter of fact, no, I don’t believe you. It’s blatantly apparent this dress has been worn. I’ve already told you more than once that we don’t offer refunds on worn clothes.”

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