“No place I’d rather be. I didn’t know your dad, but I know that he’d be so proud of you, of what you’ve done here today. All this… It’s amazing, Lorna. The difference you’ve made to all these people today…”
Tears pool in her eyes as she nods slowly, chewing on the inside of her lip before placing her head on my chest as we continue to sway to the music. “You know, since I met you, just when I think you can’t possibly surprise me anymore, you go and do something that knocks me off my feet. You’re… incredible, Lorna.Truly.”
She pulls back just as a tear escapes and I reach up to swipe it away. She leans into my touch, resting her cheek in my palm and I see her gaze flick down from my eyes to my lips and back up again.
Taking that as an invitation, I lean in and her breath catches in her throat, her eyes widening in surprise before they eventually drift closed. My lips tingle with anticipation, desperately seeking the feel of hers on mine. I want to know how they feel, how she tastes…
“Lorna! Lorna! Come play with us!” We’re torn apart by a little boy tugging on the hem of Lorna’s dress.
“Okay! Okay!” She shoots me an apologetic, teary-eyed smile before being led by the hand by the little boy, leaving me on the dancefloor, alone.
It’s almost nightfall when the last of the guests leave. I watch as Lorna grows sad saying goodbye to everyone, the knowledge of them sleeping outside in the biting cold weighing on her heavily. I’m sure if she had enough rooms to house them all, she’d do it.
Once everyone has left, I go to ask her if she’s okay but she rushes past me, clearing away the Tupperware into the boxes before heading out to her truck.
It kills me that she’s hurting, and I want so badly to take her pain away, but I don’t know how.
I grab a couple of boxes and head out to help Lorna load the truck up when I hear raised voices, one of them sounding like her.
“…stole from me!” I freeze when I hear Lorna’s voice. “You stole money from me, from my dad and the diner, everything we’ve worked for… gone.”
Who stole from her?
I edge forward, loitering as she continues to speak. I peer out the door to find Lorna with her back to me, and why am I not surprised when I spot her asshole ex-boyfriend leaning casually up against her truck like he’s bored? I might have guessed he’s be involved somewhere.
“Did I really mean that little to you? Did you even love me at all? Or was it my money that had you keep coming back?” I can hear the wobble in her voice as she fights to keep it together. “I could lose the diner because of you!”
Wait, what?
I take a step forward and Travis’ eyes find mine over Lorna’s shoulder, his posture stiffening as my eyes shoot daggers in his direction.
The prick.
Lorna turns, her eyes wide, knowing that I heard every single word. By the look on her face, she didn’t want me to know the truth of what he did.
“How much did he take from you?” I ask, trying to keep my voice as calm and steady as I can, my teeth grinding as I wait for her answer, though I can guess the outcome.
She swallows hard. “Enough that I’m facing bankruptcy.”
I exhale slowly, dropping the boxes that crash to the ground at my feet but I don’t care.
I glare at Travis. “You son of a bitch!” I roar, I stride towards him and having no where to go, I slam him back up against her truck, Romeo barking at my feet. I rear my fist back, ready to pummel the prick into dust when a gentle hand closes around my forearm.
“Royce, he’s not worth it. Please don’t do this,” she begs, her voice cracking as she fights back a cry.
After a moment, I lower my fist, my lips curling in disgust as I look at Travis. “It takes a certain type of person to steal, but to steal from someone you claimed to love? Someone who trusted you? You don’t deserve to live.” I shove him away and he stumbles, clutching the side of Lorna’s truck to stay upright, and knowing what’s good for him, he leaves without another word.
I go to ask Lorna to tell me everything but she cuts me off, holding up her palm. “Don’t. Please don’t say anything. I just wanna go home now.” She sounds completely deflated, like she has no energy left. She rounds the truck and climbs in behind the wheel. The engine roars to life and she waits until I get in beside her before driving off.
The drive to her house is silent, the atmosphere thick and uncomfortable. All the way there, she fidgets in her seat and all I can wonder is how anyone could take advantage of a woman like her.
Whywould someone do that to her? Someone so kind and caring? A woman who despite having next to no money for herself, would gladly give someone her last dime if she thought they needed it more than she did. Here she is with the weight of bankruptcy weighing her down and yet she’s still putting other people before her own needs.
There’s not a selfish bone in her body, not one hurtful thought on her mind or unkind motive in her actions. It would be so easy to fall for her, so fucking easy you wouldn’t even know it.
5
“Lorna, wait!” Royce calls behind me as I hurry up the narrow path to my front door, not bothering to look where I’m walking as my foot slips on a patch of black ice.
