Page 51 of Love in the Storm

The door opened behind Asa, letting in another gust of cold air.

Dawson looked up at the vaulted ceiling and whistled. “Where’s the restroom in this place?”

Asa pointed to the hallway. “Just around the corner.”

Dawson gave him a two-finger wave and spotted Lyric. His stride halted. “Lyric Woods?”

Lyric bent to tie up the bag without a second look at Dawson. “Long time no see.”

Dawson gave Asa a wide-eyed look and whispered, “Lyric Woods?”

Asa had no idea how Dawson and Lyric knew each other, but just knowing they shared any past at all had his fists clenching. He had too many strong, jumbled feelings where Lyric was concerned, and he didn’t need his friend muddying the waters even more.

Ignoring Dawson’s obvious looks, Asa turned to Lyric. “I’ll carry that. Where do you want it?”

“I need to ask one of the officers if we can drop it off at the dumpster at the bottom of the hill.”

Asa took the bag and headed outside. He handedit off to Officer Guthrie and turned back toward the cabin.

Lyric was shutting down right before his eyes. If she decided the new and fragile relationship they were building wasn’t worth the risk of telling him the truth, they might not get much of a chance after they parted ways today.

Asa walked in just as Dawson strode back into the room whistling a chipper tune. He stopped when he saw Asa. “Is she here?”

“I guess so. Jason is taking her home, and he’s still outside.”

Dawson rushed to Asa’s side. “Dude, you didn’t tell me it was Lyric!” Dawson whisper-screamed.

Asa stood and crossed his arms over his chest. “How do you even know her?”

“She’s Jeremy’s age. They went to school together.”

The crushing weight on Asa’s chest dissipated a little bit. “So she’s about twenty-eight?”

“Should be. I haven’t seen much of her in years, but Jeremy said she got into some trouble a while back.”

“You could say that.” Asa eyed the door, praying Lyric would reappear so he could talk to her again.

“What did she say?” Dawson asked.

Asa shook his head. “Nothing I want to talk about.”

“But you’ll tell me later, right?” Dawson nudged Asa’s shoulder.

Lyric walked back into the room and gave him a small, guarded smile. She’d pulled her dark hair up into a low ponytail, and her beautiful face was on full display. Dark eyes, pink cheeks, and red lips.

Dawson waved at her as if she hadn’t given him an icy greeting. “Hey, Officer Guthrie is gonna take you down the mountain.”

Lyric shoved her hands into her pockets. “Thanks.”

Dawson started toward the door. “Follow me.”

Asa cleared his throat. “I’ll walk her out.”

“I’ll be in the truck,” Dawson said before ducking out.

Alone with her in the cabin, Asa could feel his heart beating in his chest. Fast and hard, the thumps distracted him from everything he needed to say.

“You okay?” Lyric asked. Her words were as cold as the temperature outside.

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