Her eyebrow rose.
He sighed.Smooth, dude.“I meant you look tired.”
She busied herself with unrolling her silverware. “You could say that.”
The waitress brought a fresh cup, pouring Jennie’s coffee, then hurried to her next customer.
Jennie added a small amount of cream into her cup and stirred the brown liquid.
“Want to talk about it?” He studied her as she tapped her spoon against the edge of her mug then lifted it to take a sip. He waited, giving her time to decide if she wanted to share what had kept her awake last night. Would she finally trust him with her fears and concerns?
She propped her elbows on the table and smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I couldn’t sleep.” She gripped the cup in front of her tight enough her fingers turned white.
“Any particular reason?”
Her hands trembled causing her coffee to slosh. She placed the mug on the table and tucked her hands beneath her legs.
His gut twisted at the pain and uncertainty that swam in her eyes.
***
Of all the places in Pinewood Shores Jennie had to come for coffee, she had to pick this one. David was too perceptive for his own good. She had a decision to make. A hard one.
“Other than the close call with the rocks, I-I found…” She swallowed past the lump in her throat. She should tell him what Tina had said, but Kenny couldn’t be behind any of this. He didn’t know where she lived. Did he? “I was worried about the pictures in the email. I want my daughter safe and not out there for public consumption.”
David’s scrutinizing gaze had her squirming in her seat.
She’d mastered a poker face years ago, but lying was a different story. Oh, she could do it, but it wasn’t something that had ever come easy. Even when it meant the difference between pain and peace. Besides, David was too perceptive for her to get away with it.
“Jennie.” His voice lowered. “Please, trust me.”
She sighed. Maybe she’d give him a smidge of the truth and see how he reacted. Grabbing her mug, she stared at the brew. “Zoey found an old necklace of mine and left it on my dresser.”
He laid his hand on her forearm. “An old necklace wouldn’t have your face drained of all color.”
“You’re right. It’s a reminder of a bad time in my life. I thought I’d gotten rid of it, apparently not, and Zoey must have found it.”
His gaze reached down into her heart. He waited. Didn’t ask a question. Didn’t rush her. Just waited.
Inhaling, she continued. “I never wanted to see it again. It shook me, but I’m okay now. It’s gone and I don’t ever have to set eyes on it again.”
He nodded then removed his hand and rubbed the back of his neck.
Now it was her turn to ask the questions. “What’s wrong, David. Why do you look like you’re going to ruin my day?”
He winced. “I wish you hadn’t put it that way. But yes, I have something I need to tell you.”
“Go ahead. I don’t think my brain can deal with waiting.”
“I talked with Brandon this morning. We both agreed.” He peered into her eyes. “We don’t think the creep that Zoey texted with is the person who took the pictures.”
Her stomach dropped. There was a second person trying to ruin her and Zoey’s peaceful life? “Why do you think it’s another person?”
His chest rose and fell. “A child predator focuses on the child. They don’t change their preferences, and he wouldn’t allow his attention to spillover to an adult.”
“So, because I’m in some of the pictures, you’ve concluded that it isn’t the same guy.”
“Because you are the focus in those photos, yes.”
