Page 24 of Pieces of Heaven

“I’ve told people to come around. What if they show up and you’re not here?”

“Did you tell them to come today specifically?”

“No, but business is business.”

Tommy is sending clear signals. He doesn’t want to bring me along. I should back down and let him go. My dream for us is dumb. I’m doing what I always do.Just let him go!

Instead, I step closer and force myself to speak up. “I’d rather go with you.”

“Why?”

“I already told you about my date when I kept thinking of you.”

“Well, I’m not taking you on a date.”

Stepping back, I don’t know how to make Tommy want the same thing I do. He isn’t a weak man, and I don’t know how to bully anyone.

“I want to go with you.”

“You don’t even know where I’m going.”

Holding his hypnotic gaze, I don’t dare back down. “It doesn’t matter where you’re going. I just want to come along.”

“What if I’m on my way to meet my woman?”

I consider Tommy’s words, knowing he hopes to hurt me for nursing a crush on him.

“I don’t know how long I’ll be in McMurdo Valley,” I admit, feeling like my life is fading away. “I want to spend the time left with you. On the way to your destination, you can tell me how you and your woman met.”

Tommy narrows his beautiful blue eyes, making his lashes seem extra thick. He glances around and shakes his head.

“Doesn’t seem right to close this place for business when the sign says these are its open hours.”

“It’s not enough,” I whisper. “I’m grateful for your friends coming here to spend money. But it’s not enough. I’ll need to close soon. Please don’t make me spend another day sitting around here by myself.”

Tommy looks me over, hesitating as he holds the door partially open. I feel him wanting to flee my neediness. I don’t know what changes his mind, but he nods and gestures toward the counter.

“Better grab your purse and take a piss before we leave. There won’t be any toilets where we’re going.”

Smiling, I rush to the back and lock everything up tight. As I use the bathroom, I’m certain I’ll find Tommy gone when I reappear. Instead, he stands on the sidewalk, as if remaining inside was asking too much.

After shoving a bottle of water in my purse, I slide the bag’s strap over my head and across my chest to make it less likely to fall off as I hurry to join Tommy.

He looks me over and frowns. “Don’t you got a hat or something?”

“Not at the shop, no.”

Seeming irritated, he tugs off his camo boonie hat and rests it on my head.

“Can’t have you getting fried up in the sun.”

“What about you?”

“I’ll survive.”

I lock the front door and follow him as he walks through the parking lot. Tommy pauses for me to catch up before we cross the road to the woods.

Though I don’t dislike nature, I’ve never been an outdoorsy person. My family wasn’t the type to camp or go hiking. I’d been too much of a follower to try anything on my own.

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