Page 87 of Love on Deck

He yelled again. “Ames! I need to talk to you.”

I waited for her to respond, but her wide, round eyes were sad. “I can’t face him now. I need more time.”

“Are you sure? Maybe talking is just what you need for a little perspective.”

“I’m not ready,” she whispered weakly.

“Okay, I’ll send him away.” I pushed up and padded to the front door, which was down a short hallway and wouldn’t afford Kevin a view of Amelia on the couch. His fist pounded on the door again, and I waited for a lull before sliding open the lock with exaggerated sound so he wouldn’t accidentally knock into my face when I opened the door.

I got it open two inches before stalling. Kevin looked like he hadn’t slept in days. His hair was wild, his eyes wide and wary. “Is she here?”

“Yes, but—”

He started to push in, but I stood in front of him.

“Wait. She needs time.”

His face contorted. “Time? She’s my wife. I need to speak to her. To see her. To make sure she’s okay.”

“You can’t take my word for it? Mine, Kevin?”

That seemed to stall him.

I gently pushed his chest until he was back out in the hall. “She’s shaken, but she’s safe. I’m making her eat, then I’m putting her to bed.” I lowered my voice. “Let her get a good night’s sleep and try again tomorrow.”

“I just want to see her.”

“She asked for some time, Kevin. I don’t know what more you want me to say.”

He blew a breath out through puffed cheeks. “Okay. One day.”

“She didn’t leave you. You know that, right?”

Kevin narrowed his eyes. “What else would you call this?”

He had me there. And apparently he felt he had nothing more to say, because he turned around and left. I watched him trudge away, my heart reaching out to him, but what else could I do? It wasn’t my place to force Amelia to do anything. The most I could offer her was my support and a safe place to land.

Her eyes were alert when I locked the door and returned to the couch. “How did he look?”

“Miserable.”

That only served to make her cry again.

I pulled out my phone and checked my messages, finding fourteen texts from Kevin within the last hour—nothing before that, though. I also had a message from Jack.

Jack

Is Amelia okay?

Lauren

No. That family has issues.

Jack

You’re telling me. Kevin isn’t home and he’s not answering his phone. I’m worried.

Lauren

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