“Hey,” she started softly, “I couldn’t sleep and didn’t want to wake you.”
He stopped in front of her, so close she could almost feel the heat radiating off him. “I’m surprised I didn’t wake when you got up. I usually wake at everything.”
“I’m pretty stealthy.”
He gave her a small smile.
She frowned at the cut on his chest. Gently, she reached out and grazed her fingertip across the minor wound. “Is this from yesterday?”
“Must be.”
Her frown deepened, again reminded that it wasn’t justherlife that had been on the line yesterday. That yet again, her bad luck was affecting those closest to her.
“Hey.”
Her eyes flashed up to his.
“What are you thinking?” he asked quietly.
“That I hate that you put yourself at risk to save me yesterday.”
He stepped closer, his hands going to the counter on either side of her hips. “What happened wasn’t your fault.”
“I know. But I kind of feel like the world’s out to get me again.”
An intense frown cut into his brow.
She looked down at her coffee before glancing back up. “You know how I told you my life is the burnt toast theory, and Eloise died in my place?”
“Yeah. And I told you her death wasn’t your fault.”
“Well, after she died…things started happening.”
“What do you mean?” His voice was deeper now, a dangerous edge to it.
“A month after her death, my brakes failed. I was turning a corner and if I’d been driving any faster, it could have been really bad.” She swallowed. “A few weeks later, my engine literally blew up. There was so much smoke, and I barely got Charlie and myself out in time. Then there was my house fire, which I told you about.”
A shudder rolled down her spine. She hated remembering that day.
“You came here to escape the accidents.”
“I did. But now I’m not sure running did anything. They could be starting again.”
“Hey.” He tilted her chin up. “If you’re trying to tell me you’re cursed or something, you’re wrong.”
“Maybe not cursed. More like I escaped my fate that day at the café, and now destiny’s out to get me.”
“No. That’s not how it works. What happened yesterday was a shitty driver causing an accident. You aresafe. And I will stay with you for as long as you need so that youfeelsafe.”
She was shaking her head before he finished speaking. “No. I already feel bad that you’ve had to look after me so much. Besides, I promised my mom I’d spend the day with her.”
“I can spend the day with her too.”
She laughed. “You don’t want to spend the day with my mother.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’ll go crazy.Igo crazy and I love the woman.”
