“Would I be a bad wife if I admitted that I’m looking forward to Slade coming home so I don’t have to cook tonight?” Kristen laughs flipping the open sign to closed.
“Ha. I’m surprised he doesn’t batch cook for you before he leaves town.”
Shyly, she admits, “He does sometimes.”
I knew it. My brother, even after twenty-five years, is still besotted with his old lady.
My longest lasting relationship was with Keith the butcher, who turned out to have the worst mommy issues and I put up with it for nine months because it was a roof over my head. It wasn’t my finest moment, but it wasn’t my worst, not by far.
“Have you got any plans tonight?” she asks, as I run the duster over the glass display counters.
“I’ve got to drop Harper’s car back to her then it’s a night in front of the TV with a meal for one. I’d ask you but I can guess.”
“Don’t you ever think of settling down, Lily, like, seriously? Someone normal and decent, and don’t you say normal is boring.”
“I was actually gonna say you’re married to a biker. You’re hardly the advocate for normal.”
Her mouth opens then snaps shut. She doesn’t have a leg to stand on and she’s just realised it.
“Fair enough. I’ll keep my…” My phone rings cutting her off. I answer and press the phone to my ear. “Hey, Harps. I’m leaving work in a minute and then I’ll bring your car back.”
“I was wondering why this beautiful woman was driving the car I bought for you.”
Hopper.
Heat consumes me and I can’t tell if it’s anger or fear. The shop begins to spin, and I lean on the counter to stay on my feet.
“It’s funny, she looks a lot like you, babe, twenty years ago. I wish I had you then.”
“Don’t hurt her,” I plead.
His laughter has my blood running cold. “Why would I hurt your daughter. I miss you, baby. Come see me and bring pretty Harper’s car back so she can get herself home with the little one. Her and the kid shouldn’t have to see the consequences of your actions.”
Oh God. I force down the ball of fear and ask, “Where are you?”
“We’re at the diner. I’m sure you know where it is.” He hangs up and I numbly collect my purse from the back room.
“Lily? What’s going on?”
I can barely breathe let alone respond to Kristen. I’m halfway to the door when she steps in front of me with her judgy eyes.
“Talk. Now. You told someone not to hurt her… who called and who does thishehave?”
I know my sister-in-law well enough to know she isn’t going to move until she gets answers.
“It was my ex, and he has Harper.”
She wasn’t expecting to hear that. I go to step around her but she blocks me again.
“What do you mean, he has Harper? The guys aren’t in town for another couple of hours.”
“It’s fine. He isn’t going to touch her as long as I go to the diner.”
“You sure do get yourself and everyone around you in trouble, don’t you. Harper’s been doing well for such a long time…”
“I know!” I yell. “I’m going to fix it!”
“I’m coming with you.”
