“Let me go, Noah. I’m okay.”
“Your face is the color of unbaked pastry.”
“Charming.”
He cupped her head and eased her onto his shoulder, and the hell of it was, she wanted to rest there. Close her eyes and forget the mess that was her life. Forget that now she’d have to leave Lake Howling and this man. For a brief moment there, she’d let herself hope for more. Hope that maybe she could stay here and live a normal life if only for a while. Not so much.
“Talk to me, Lani.”
“I’m not a criminal, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
“Ialready knew that much.” Noah ran a hand down her back, his fingers trailing over the delicate line of her vertebrae.
“How did you know that?”
“You’re honest, and a nice person.”
“I’m sure nice people can commit crimes, Noah.”
“Maybe, but I’m a pretty good judge of character, and I never had you pegged as a criminal.”
“Thanks, I think.” Her voice was small and defeated, and he felt something shift inside his chest.
“How about we make a deal. You tell me something about you, and I tell you something about me,” Noah said.
“I already know stuff about you.”
“Not all the stuff, though.”
She snuffled. “I’m not interested in you.”
“Sure you are, most women can’t resist me.”
This time she giggled, and it made him smile. Holding her in his arms like this felt good… too good, but he didn’t fight it. She needed some comfort, and he could give it.
“I-I am transient.”
“How long have you been running?”
“I didn’t say I was running, I said I was transient.”
“Lani, you’re running. How long has it been?”
“Four years, and I’m not sure why I’m telling you this now, when I’ve never told anyone else before.”
He whistled softly. The thought of Lani out in the world on her own for four years was not a happy one. She must have been lonely. Must have missed what and who she’d left behind.
“You about done with running?”
She shook her head, the short curls brushing his nose. Lifting back slightly, he looked down at the top of her head, and it was then he saw that the roots were blonde. She died her hair black.
“Lani, you can’t keep this up forever.”
“I can. It’s my life.”
“Living out of your car, having no friends or personal connections. No place to call home. Sounds like hell to me.”
