Page 2 of Erik's Redemption
An emotion she couldn’t quite identify crossed Brigid’s face. It came and went quickly. A small drop of the lips. A tugging together of the brows.
Hannah’s fingers tightened around the mug, concern pulling at her chest. “That’s great, Henry. And are you doing okay, Brigid?”
Her best friend’s gaze swung to Hannah, and a smile that was both too wide and didn’t reach her eyes stretched across her face. “Yes. The shop’s been busy, and I’ve been redecorating my apartment. Life’s good.”
Was it though? Since everything that happened with James, Brigid’s ex, there had been moments where Hannah caught deep sadness slipping into her friend’s eyes, taking out all her shine. She was pretty sure Brigid thought no one saw…but Hannah did.
“Still loving the new glucose monitor and insulin pump?” Brigid asked, clearly trying to change the subject and get the attention off her.
Hannah touched the Dexcom on the back of her arm. Her pump sat on the right side of her stomach. “It makes my life easier. I don’t have to test so much. There aren’t as many lows and highs. And the Dexcom streams the data straight to my Apple watch, which is handy.”
The watch was another gift Erik had insisted she accept. She tapped the screen, reading her sugar level in the bottom left-hand corner. The watch even vibrated when she was high or low. So, yeah, her insulin levels were easier to manage.
Henry frowned. “But…”
Of course, he knew there was a but. She lifted a shoulder. “He gave me the monitor and pump on my birthday, and…I don’t know. Everything from then on feels…tainted.” She sighed and checked the time on her watch. “I have to go. I have a two o’clock appointment at work.”
She was about to stand when Henry reached across the table and wrapped his fingers around her wrist. “Hey. Remember what we said. He loves you. Don’t do anything drastic.”
Drastic as in…moving back into her place? It was something she’d been thinking about recently. Because maybe she’d moved in with him too quickly. Maybe that had scared him.
Argh. She had no idea what the problem was.
She plastered a smile to her face. “See you both later.”
Henry rolled his eyes because, yeah, she’d made no promises, while Brigid gave her a small smile.
Outside the coffee shop, cold air brushed her cheeks. Tugging her jacket tighter, she headed down the street toward her office. Her fingers twitched to pull out her phone and text Erik. To check in on him. Push until he shifted back to the man who loved her easily. Laughed with her.
God, she loved him so much. Her heartachedwhen they were apart. But lately, her heart ached when they were together too. Because the way he looked at her…it was almost as if he was in pain.
She was halfway down the street when she felt it—eyes on her. The fine hairs on her arms stood on end, and she almost stopped. What was that?
Discreetly, she turned her head to glance around. A couple of people walked along the sidewalk. A few cars moved down the street, and some were parked in front of businesses. But there was no one she could see who was just looking at her.
She shook her head, barely suppressing a shudder. She’d gotten the same feeling more than once in the last couple weeks, and every time, it creeped her out.
It had to be because of everything that had happened with James, Marco, and Angelo, right? Maybe everything she’d endured a couple months ago had freaked her out to the point she couldn’t even walk down the street without feeling scared.
Gritting her teeth, she moved faster.
She was just nearing the office when her gaze brushed over the Genesis G70.HerGenesis G70. Because that had been her Christmas present from Erik.
He’d claimed it was a safety thing. That she needed a reliable car that wouldn’t break down. And yes, her red Honda was old. But honestly, the G70 was just so…flashy. It wasn’t her. Since Erik had been acting strange, she just kind of wanted to drive her old car again. She still had it at her house, so shecould…
She slipped into the office and was so in her own head that she walked straight into a big chest, almost falling backward.Wouldhave fallen back if strong fingers didn’t wrap around her upper arm and straighten her.
She looked up, straight into a set of bright green eyes. “Oh God, Leo, I’m sorry! I wasn’t looking where I was going.”
The new real estate agent gave her an easy smile, one perfect dimple showing. “It’s okay. Although, I like to think I’m pretty noticeable.”
She laughed. Leo had been hired to replace James, and he was a great addition to the office. Friendly. Charming. And if you asked Taylor, the other selling agent here, she’d tell you he was pretty easy to look at, with his sandy-blond hair and dimples.
And yeah, he wasn’t bad to look at. He just wasn’t her type.
“You are. If I hadn’t been so far in my own head, I would have seen you.” Heck, the man was at least six-two—there was no missing him.
“Everything okay?”
