"You look tired.”
“Remember when we talked about how that’s ashitty thing to say to a girl?” she returned pleasantly.
“I—I’m tired too.”
She frowned and finally glanced over her shoulder. She took in his bloodshot eyes, the slight circles under them, and swiveled back around. Yes, he was neat and tidy otherwise, but he was telling the truth. He did look tired.
“That was my cousin.”
Her heart stopped, then started again. “What?”
“That woman is my cousin. Shel?”
“I can’t keep track of your cousins.”
“Neither can I. She’s taking a position at the company. A tour of the flagship is standard.”
She bit her lip. Her anxiety and upset edged away. “Oh.” She recovered her aplomb. “I didn’t ask who she was,” she said defensively.
“If I’d seen you with someone, I’d want to know who it was.”
“It’s not my business.”
“Yes it is.”
She cast him a sharp look. “What is with you?”
He met her gaze steadily. “Damned if I know.”
“You don’t want to be in here.”
As if suddenly reminded of where they were, Nicholas looked around, taking in the café with the air of a man waking up from a dream. She did another quick survey. She didn’t spot anyone she knew, but that didn’t mean anything. It was quite possible someone in here knew her even if she didn’t know them.
Nicholas cleared his throat. “I didn’t think before I walked in.”
Not thinking? That was totally un-Nicholas-like behavior.
The line inched forward. “Please leave before someone recognizes you.”
He moved closer instead, so close she could feel the brush of his breath on her nape. A featherlight touch landed on her spine, and she almost jumped. His fingertip traced the hollow of her back, under her jacket, revealed by the crop top. It barely lasted a second, no longer, and then a coolness where there had been heat.
She glanced behind her in time to catch the door closing behind Nicholas.
Shaken, she made it to the counter and placed her order with the teenage barista. He gave her the total, then grinned. “Sadia’s at Kareem’s school. Some kind of parent-teacher thing, if you were looking for her.”
Livvy forced a smile. See? Entirely possible someone knew her. She’d never met this kid before. “Thanks.” She checked his nametag. “Darrell.”
“No problem.”
She grabbed her latte from the counter when it was ready and walked to the door, part of her certain Nicholas would be gone, the rest of her hoping he’d still be there, waiting for her.
He was, standing next to her beat-up old car, leaning against the driver’s side. His muscles were tensed, his hands curled into fists. She didn’t knowwho he was looking to fight, but then she realized where he was looking.
The sign.Kane’s Café. “Have you been inside since... ?”
“No.” He cleared his throat. “I have not. Not since that double date we had with Sadia and Paul.”
She had to think for a second, mine through her memories. She remembered that. A week or so before the accident. They’d had coffee and cookies.
