Something that looks like relief crosses his face. “We can take it as slow as you need.”
Before I can talk myself out of it, I step closer and kiss his cheek. It’s not much, but it’s something.
“Thank you,” I whisper against his ear. “For not giving up on me.”
“I never would,” he says quietly.
As I pull back, I catch him looking at me with such tenderness that it makes my chest ache. I adjust my glasses, blinking back the sting in my eyes.
“So what now?” I ask.
"Now you go have dinner with Madison—" he pauses, one eyebrow raised, "—if that's where you're really going. And tomorrow, we grab coffee and talk about something normal. Just us.”
“I’d like that.”
“Good. Because I missed talking to my Alicat.”
“Me too.”
As he gets back in his truck, I realize I’m still scared. Still worried about what loving me might cost him.
But for the first time, I’m more scared of losing him than I am of the trouble I might bring.
Chapter 28
Alice
I’mrestockingdepositslipswhen I see my mother walk through the bank’s front door. My stomach immediately drops. My hand freezes on the stack of paper.
It’s been two days since my conversation with Sawyer in my driveway. Two days of trying to find our normal again, which mostly means overthinking every text and second-guessing every interaction. But we’ve been trying, and that feels like progress.
Until now
She walks straight to my station, ignoring the fact that I’m with a customer. She’s dressed in her usual work attire, but there’s something different about her posture. More determined. More angry.
“Excuse me,” she says to the elderly man I’m helping. “I need to speak with my daughter. It’s urgent.”
The man looks confused but steps aside. I finish processing his transaction as quickly as possible, my hands shaking slightly.
“Have a good day, Mr. Henderson,” I manage to say.
“You too, dear,” he replies, glancing between my mother and me before walking away.
Mom leans across the counter, lowering her voice. I can smell her perfume—the same one she's worn for years. It used to mean safety. Now it just makes me nauseous. “We need to talk. Now.”
“I’m working, Mom. Can it wait?”
“This can’t wait.” Her eyes are cold in a way I recognize from childhood. “Margaret called me this morning. Lance’s hearing is next week, and his lawyer says you’re making things difficult.”
“How?”
“By refusing to drop the charges. By encouraging that police officer to pursue this case.”
My jaw drops. “Mom, I didn’t encourage anyone. Iamthe victim here.”
“Don’t play coy, Alice. I know you two are still seeing each other.”
I glance around the bank. Nora is pretending not to listen, but I can tell she’s paying attention. Megan has stopped what she’s doing entirely.
