He chuckled. “You’ll learn quick if you don’t want her begging at every meal.”
“Fine,” she sighed. “I’ll try it again.”
This time, Lilly stopped. She sat still for a minute, then laid down at Tiffany’s feet. “Good girl.”
Connor stabbed a piece of chicken. “I was so tired when I got home, I wasn’t even going to eat.”
Guilt for keeping him tugged at her. “I’m sorry. And here you are, dealing with the aftermath of blubbering me.”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
“Sure,” she said, drawing out the word.
“Actually, it’s true, though I didn’t realize it until now. I’m glad we have this chance to talk, and I can show you I’m not the insensitive pinhead I’ve been acting like.”
“Pinhead? I haven’t heard that in forever.”
He shrugged. “It fit.”
“I had a few other words in mind, but I’ll keep them to myself.” She winked, letting him know it was in jest.
She didn’t have the energy to harbor ill feelings toward him. Life was too short. He’d apologized with sincerity, and she’d accepted it. His actions showed remorse and changed behavior. Granted, she hadn’t been around him long enough to really know, but she knew intrinsically that Connor was no Brad.
Her ex-husband could rarely be bothered to apologize. The few times he had, it had been a half-hearted attempt to keep her from leaving or pressing charges. A few days would pass and then the routine of abuse began all over again.
Connor was right. Some things never changed.
Sometimes that was good.
Others, not so much.
“Are you okay?” Connor’s concerned voice broke through her thoughts.
“Got lost in thought for a minute. I’m fine,” she lied. A shiver coursed through her.
Connor leaned forward and grabbed the throw blanket behind him, tossed it her way. “The rain brought in lower temps.”
Sure. Let him think that. She lifted the tray of food from her lap and spread the blanket over her legs. The extra warmth did help. When she got up, she’d have to adjust the thermostat. “Thanks.”
“The food’s good. I’m surprised I haven’t eaten there yet.”
“They’ve been closed for six months after a fire in the shopping center shut them down. They only reopened two weeks ago.” She took a bite, savoring the perfectly seasoned piece of chicken.
He finished chewing the bite in his mouth. “That would explain it. I’ll have to remember the next time the crew wants to eat lunch out.”
Silence fell between them while they ate. It was neither comfortable, nor discontent. It simply was. Though she hadn’t eaten all day, she couldn’t finish her meal. She ate the salad but left most of her chicken and hummus to have for lunch tomorrow. Peeking at Connor’s, she saw he’d neatly eaten every morsel.
He set his empty tray aside and took a swig of coke. “I’ll take care of the dishes.”
She laughed. “You’re so kind.”
“Seriously, though, can I help with anything before I head out?”
“I was married.” She blurted out the admission with no fanfare and at the most awkward time possible. But when he mentioned leaving, images of Tara flashed in her mind.
The trauma of the day struck her anew. She wasn’t ready to be alone. Not yet.
And she did want Connor to know her history. It’s what made her who she was today.
