Page 42 of Absolution

"I can tell."

He leans forward, whispering. "I was in a mishap while serving, I have problems connecting with people. I hope you can understand."

"What can I get y'all?" The waitress is still giving all of her attention to Creed, so I motion for him to order for us.

"We'll have..." he waits for me.

"Pancakes with a side of turkey bacon and milk."

He flashes her his mega-watt smile, and with a bat of his ridiculously long lashes, she's giddy again. "Make that three, please."

"Oh, yeah. Sure. I'll get these right up and bring you some orange juice to tide you over. On the house, of course."

"How sweet." I flash him some crazy eyes. He best get the idea and runs her off.

"Thank you." She smiles, backing up into a chair all the while, Creed is all eyes on me.

"You were saying something about a mishap."

He winces. "Technically, I can't give you all the details. But yes, that's the best I can do."

"That has to be hard on all of you. I’m sorry you went through so much. I hope you're doing okay now."

"I'm fine." He waves off the conversation. "I was wondering where you went to school?"

"North Carolina State."

"I think Crawford went there. What about vet school?"

"Same place." I press my mouth into a thin line. I don't understand what he's doing here. He doesn't like kids, and I've made it clear I'm a no go for him. Maybe I should reiterate.

He's cautious, keeping an eye on Emmie's every move. "She really is the cutest baby. Well, toddler?"

"Yeah, she's a toddler. She's amazing, and such a joy. Emmie has helped me more than I have ever done for her."

"Why do you say that?"

"I was in a bad place when she came along. I-I didn't want to live, my heart was broken. It still is." I run my finger under my eye, knocking the tear away.

He scoots to the end of his seat. "Do you mind if I ask what happened?"

"We lost her father before she was born, he didn't know about her."

His brows fall low over his eyes. "I'm sorry."

"Yeah, I've hear that a lot, but it doesn't come close to making me feel better. Losing a loved one is the worst feeling in the world."

"I can think of one, but we'll save a few stories for another time." I'm not sure where he is, but it's not here. I'm not even sure if it's the right place by the look in his eyes. He's lost. Funny stuff, so am I.

I reach for him, laying my hand over his as it rests on the table. He studies it, the motion of my thumb running back and forth over the back. He lifts his chin; our eyes finally meet, and I drown in the blue sea his tears are swimming in. My stomach knots, the pain behind his eyes, causes me to hurt.

"I'm sorry. Please know, I appreciate your service and everything you've sacrificed for us all."

"I'm lost, Scarlet.” He hesitates before laying his hand over mine, and I fight the need to hold him. “I've never admitted it to another soul and truly have no idea why I am now."

"Sometimes, we find what we need in the oddest of places."

"But you don't need this." He slides his hand out from under mine. Reaching in his pocket, he drops some cash on the table and stands. "As much as I want to be here, I can't be. Neither of you deserves half a man, and that's all I'll ever be."