Page 3 of Heart of Glass

“Last year, I went to a Halloween party as Cinderella.”

“College jocks do that for fun. Try again.”

Leaning forward in his chair, Xeno propped his chin up in his hand and smirked. “You’re a tough sale, Mr. MacAuley. I don’t know. Maybe I’m not unique.”

“I doubt that. I think you’re pretty damn special.” It didn’t take Lachlan long to realize what he’d said, and when he did, his cheeks reddened once again. Clearing his throat, he hastened to change the subject. “Tell me something you haven’t told anyone else.”

“Okay, okay, I got one for you.” Leaning even closer, he glanced around to make sure no one would overhear him. “I got this job because I slept with the manager.”

“You little slut.” Lachlan’s eyes crinkled in the corners and his nose scrunched when he smiled.

“In my defense, I didn’t sleep with himjustto get the job.” Hell, he hadn’t even been looking for a job at the time. However, when the opportunity presented itself one night when they were both naked, sweating, and panting, Xeno hadn’t hesitated to jump at it. “Okay, your turn. Tell me something you haven’t told anyone else.”

Several seconds passed in silence while Lachlan fidgeted with the strap on his messenger bag. “I don’t really sleep anymore.” He spoke in quiet monotones, and he wouldn’t look Xeno in the eyes. “I don’t like the dark.” Turning his head to the side, his gaze flickered toward the window and his shoulders tensed. “I need to go.”

Xeno didn’t know what to say, so he said nothing, but his chest constricted at the hollow look in the man’s eyes.What happened to you?“Okay, well, I work second shift again tomorrow. Will I see you then?”

“Maybe,” Lachlan answered while he tucked his laptop into his bag and slung the strap over his shoulder. “I have an appointment tomorrow.”

Curiosity ate away at him, but Xeno didn’t know the man well enough to pry into his personal life. “I should get back to work, but I hope I see you again. Take care, Lachlan.”

“Yes. No. I mean, I…I don’t know.” The sweet, shy man Xeno had shared coffee with just a moment before had turned into a distracted, frantic mess. Pulling a long black walking stick out from behind the chair, he curled his fingers around the silver knob at the end and leaned heavily against it. “I have to go.” Without further comment, without even looking in Xeno’s direction, Lachlan hurried toward the exit as fast as his limp would allow.

Gathering the dishes and trash from the table, Xeno carried the tray back to the front counter while he contemplated the odd behavior. “Is he always like that?”

“Like what?” Myah propped one hip on the counter and cocked her head to the side, causing her blond ponytail to bounce.

“I thought things were going well, but then he started acting all weird. Next thing I know, he’s practically running out of the door.”

“Lachlan doesn’t go out after dark, not since the accident.” Sucking her bottom lip between her teeth, Myah’s expression clouded as she stared through the door to the darkening sky beyond. “I hope he’ll be okay.”

“Wait, back up. What accident?”

“It happened at the beginning of the year. He was crossing the street and this car just came out of nowhere. Everyone says he’s lucky to be alive, but Lachlan hasn’t been the same since it happened.”

The constant shifting, the pained grimaces, the cane, the fear of the dark—it all made sense now. “Myah, will you cover for me? I have something I need to do.”

Chapter two

By the time Lachlanmade it to the corner where he needed to cross, the sun had disappeared behind the buildings. The street lamp above him flickered to life, illuminating the sidewalk where he stood. The night hadn’t completely claimed Shadow Hills yet, but the anxiety wouldn’t leave him.

No, he didn’t need to use this particular crosswalk, the same one where his life had changed forever, but he would have to cross the street at some point if he wanted to get home. So caught up in his conversation with Xeno, mesmerized by the man’s good looks and charming personality, he’d lost all track of time.

Hell, he should have left before Xeno had clocked out for his break, but he’d been so lonely for so long, and the promise of human interaction proved to be too powerful to resist. Yes, hehad officially reached the realm of pathetic. Maybe he should get a potted plant and start watching infomercials in his underwear.

The crosswalk seemed to stretch on forever, and no matter how many times he told himself he didn’t have to be afraid, it didn’t change anything. The terror seized him, holding him immobile while his blood roared in his ears. His stomach churned angrily, twisting into painful knots, and his throat closed, constricting his airway.

“Hello, handsome.”

Whipping his head to the side, he stared right into Xeno’s brilliant green eyes, but he couldn’t push away the crippling fear to actually speak.

“Lachlan, it’s going to be okay.” His arm stretched behind Lachlan’s back and wrapped around his waist. “C’mon, we’ll do it together.”

“I can’t,” Lachlan croaked.

“Look at me.” Xeno grabbed Lachlan’s chin in his free hand and turned his face until their eyes met once again. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you. Trust me.”

He wanted to trust the man, but his legs still wouldn’t move. “Xeno, I’m sorry. I can’t do it.”

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