“It’s not funny,” I shouted, then remembered where we were and lowered my voice. “It’s not something you should joke about.”
“No, it’s not,” he agreed, holding out his good hand. “But I’m safe, so I have to laugh about it.”
I took his hand, and he wrapped his fingers around mine. The same safety I’d felt before blanketed me once more.
“You know, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
I snorted. “You claimed that yesterday, but that doesn’t change the fact that you did.”
“Well, then, I’m sorry I worried you. How’s that?”
“Better.”
His fingers squeezed mine, and warmth rushed through me. I stood looking at our joined hands, marveling at the fact I didn’t pull away. In fact, I never wanted him to let go.
“Matt, I—”
“Well,” said a voice from behind me, “look who’s being lazy.”
I tried to draw away, but Charlie held me in place. A woman strolled in, all smiles and attitude. I could tell from the way she favored his good looks that this had to be his sister.
“Teresa!” he said happily. “When did you get here?”
“About fifteen minutes ago. The doctor said you can get out today.”
Charlie glanced up at me. “Yeah, that’s what I hear.”
“So I figure we’ll stay overnight at your place while I get you all packed up. Tomorrow we’ll get a ride to the airport—though if you have any pull, I really don’t want to pay a cab eighty bucks to take us back—and by eight tomorrow night, we’ll be home in New York.”
“That’s… great,” he murmured, finally letting my hand slide free of his. “Teresa, this is Matt. Matt, my sister Teresa.”
Why I expected her to descend on me, I don’t know, but she stood there and graced me with a pearly-white smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Charlie’s told me about you.”
He had?“You did?”
“I did,” he confirmed. “Told her what wonderful people lived in Fall Harbor, and how grateful I am that I got to meet so many of them.”
Teresa pursed her lips. “Yep. From the waitress at the diner who gives him crappy lemonade, to the man who’d never read one of his books but serves the best lemonade he’d ever had, I constantly get to hear about this town and its colorful residents. I know he’s going to miss it here.”
I took a small step away from the bed. “But he’s coming back. Aren’t you?”
He gave me a sad expression and shook his head. “I had a great time here,” he said. “But in New York, I can be closer to my publisher, and it’ll be easier to go on book tours. Being several hours away from a major airport causes all kinds of problems. I do love the town, but writing is my livelihood.”
“Oh, okay,” I replied, not knowing what else to say.
He reached for my hand again, and I took another step away, just out of his reach.
“Matt? Can you come back here, please?”
My mouth had gone dry, and with his sister at the door, I felt trapped. “No, I—I should go.”
As I edged toward the door, Teresa moved toward me. “Matt? Are you okay?”
I nodded sharply. “Yes, but… I really need to leave.”
“Matt, don’t—”
In a burst of energy born of desperation to get out of the situation, I darted for the door. When I got into the hall, Charlie called my name, but going back wouldn’t do any good. There were too many people, too much noise. I needed my home, where it was safe, where no one would bother me. Where I could once again start building my walls to keep other people out. If nothing else, this had taught me a valuable lesson: Don’t pin your hopes on anyone else, because ultimately they’ll disappoint you.
