My heart hammered like a drum in my chest, dreading and anticipating the words he was about to speak.
“And what’s that?”
I was convinced he had conspired with the traffic lights because their timing was immaculate. The heat of his gaze seared into the side of my head, silently beckoning for my attention. And so, I gave in, losing myself in those pools of blue.
“You and I would be so damn good together.”
CHAPTERTWELVE
DEREK
White tents lined the walkway as far as the eye could see.
I never understood the lure of being in crowds of people. Strangers walking shoulder to shoulder, bumping into one another. Scents mixing. Personal spaces breached. I wasn’t the type of person who trusted others. My brain was hot-wired to be paranoid and suspicious of everyone. Hell, if they knew who I was, they’d run in the opposite direction. It was in my nature, ingrained in me like an innate instinct, to assume every single soul here was as dangerous and calculated as I was. Relaxing wasn’t an option, so I meticulously scanned the surrounding area. On higher alert than usual, my hand hovered over the small of Eva’s back.
“How do you know she’s here today?”
“Carmen is always here. She never misses an opportunity to work. Not when she’s the sole guardian of her four grandbabies.”
“So, we’re looking for an older woman?”
Eva glanced over her shoulder and nodded. “Yeah. Short, pixie cut, and silver streaks. Her daughter… well, let’s just say, she’s a lot like Rayne.”
“That’s quite…unfortunate.”
My attempt at sounding empathetic must have fallen short, coming off as harsh and judgmental. Eva stopped so abruptly that I nearly toppled over her.
Her hardened eyes narrowed at me.
“I won’t pretend to know what it’s like to struggle with addiction or finances, but I try my best to understand. I’ve seen the worst and best of society, Derek. And even good people fall on hard times and get caught up in the streets. You should understand that more than anyone.”
Evangelina’s words stung, though I didn’t know if it was because she was calling me out or because I’d upset her. Before yesterday, the only scenario would have been the former. But today, I wasn’t so sure, and that thought alone agitated the shit out of me.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to come off like some privileged asshole.”
The apology felt foreign on my tongue.
Evangelina gifted me a small smile, the sharp lines of her face softening as she waved me off. “Come on. She usually sets up on the south end.”
I quickly followed when she pulled into the crowd again. As we continued our trek through the maze of people, many vendors greeted and called her by name.
“You’re quite the celebrity here.”
“I come here a lot. Sometimes on shift to keep in touch with the community or just to shop and enjoy the scenery.”
The crowd thinned the closer we got to the far side of the market, finally allowing me room to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with Eva.
“Maybe I’m being an asshole again, so forgive me. But you don’t seem the type to frequent a place like this outside of work.”
“And why’s that?” she asked, a smirk showcasing the dimple on her right cheek. But she wasn’t looking at me. Her eyes were fixed forward, pace steadfast.
“I mean, look at you.”
“Look at me,” she threw back with a grin. “Is a place like this beneath you, Derek Cain?”
“No, it’s just not my thing,” I said, pulling my hands out of my jacket pockets, scowl set on a man whose eyes lingered a little too long on her face.
“Not a fan of crowds, or just shopping in general?” she asked, oblivious to the silent exchange of threats and bodily harm.
