My chest tightens when she meets my gaze. The woman looks beyond exhausted at this point. Like she’s barely holding herself together, the stitches of her psyche splitting at every seam.
“You good here?” I ask, desperate to keep the worry from my voice.
She nods, running a hand over her brow. “Yeah. I was certain they’d cancel the furniture delivery with the weather, but I just spoke with the driver, and he said they’re still coming. Should be here within the hour.”
“Do you need us to stay?”
She waves me off, shaking her head. “I’m good.”
She’s the furthest thing from good, but this time, I don’tpush the issue. Kiki’s made it clear she has solid boundaries, and I’m on the outside looking in.
“Have a good night.”
“Eddie?”
I pause, bracing myself before I look back. “Yeah?”
She fidgets with a pen on her desk, her gaze focused out the window. “Be careful out there, okay? Looks like it’s starting to stick.”
For a second, I glimpse her soft underbelly, the nurturing sweetheart that always put everyone else first.
Too bad I can’t trust it anymore.
Romy slings an arm around my shoulders, damn near jostling the beer from my hand. “Come on, tell me how much you missed me.”
I roll my eyes, offering her an affectionate snort as I take a pull from my drink. “Of course we missed you. Place is way too quiet without you talking a mile a minute.”
She grins and launches into another story about some party up in the Hollywood Hills, but I’m only half listening. My attention drifts back to my phone as I flip through apps, checking road conditions and scanning my email. Looks like Kiki’s furniture showed up about an hour ago, which means she should be home by now.
That’s good.
Romy nudges my chin up, a teasing smile playing at her lips. For a second, I think she’s going to kiss me. She’s had enough to drink that it wouldn’t be out of the question, but I’m definitelynotin the mood to field that conversation right now.
“What are you doing?” I ask, pulling away from her grip.
She studies me for a few seconds, then lets out a theatrical sigh and knocks back another shot. “My God, just call her and make certain she got home okay.”
I scoff, trying to play dumb. “Call who?”
“The woman you’re in love with, Eddie.” She pulls out her phone and waves it under my nose. “Would you rather I do it? Because we both know that’s who you’ve been thinking about this entire time.”
So much for being subtle.
I drain what’s left of my beer and push myself to my feet, grabbing my jacket. “Actually, I’m heading out. I’ll call Kiki on the way.”
I jerk my chin toward the guys, my gaze landing on Romy last. “Don’t stay too long, alright? Roads are already turning to shit.”
“Yes, sir!” Romy snaps off a mock salute as Mike calls her to the dartboard for a rematch. Seems those two are closing out the place. Again.
You know what? Good for them. Someone deserves a modicum of happiness and I sure as shit know it’s not going to be me.
I damn near fall on my ass, making it out to the truck, and it’s not because of the beer. No, the snow’s coming down hard now, sticking to everything and cutting visibility all to hell.
I turn the engine on, letting the truck warm up. Time for me to make a couple calls. First thing’s first, I need to check on my boy.
“You home?” I ask when Deirdre picks up on the second ring.
“We just got in. The roads are getting bad.”
