He led Fallon out back to a patio strewn with wrought iron tables and chairs. They sat down and she looked around. “You were right—the scenery is beautiful. It’s like we’re nestled against the mountain. And it’s so much cooler up here.” She took a sip of her drink. “Was the bartender someone you used to go out with?” She averted her eyes from his.
“Sissy? Nah, I just know her from coming here. She’s a nice gal. Is your drink good?”
“Very.”
“I’m glad you texted me. I thought maybe you were pissed at me.” He took a drink and watched the birds flit about on the branches.
“I wasn’t mad at you. I just didn’t know what to say. You kinda scare me.” She gulped her drink.
“By the way I look?”
“Oh no. You look real good.” Her eyes widened and red streaks painted her cheeks. “I mean, it’s not your looks. Well, you do have a penetrating stare, but it’s not that either. I guess it’s that you’re a guy. I mean… I don’t have any male friends, so this is new to me.” She took another gulp.
“Are you always this nervous or is it just me?” He cocked his head, a smile tugging at his lips.
“I don’t feel comfortable around people. It’s not like I’m crazy or anything, it’s just that I make people uncomfortable. I think it’s because of my limp. People don’t know what to say about it. Some are cruel and some pity me, but mostly they spend a lot of time trying to pretend they’re not looking or wondering about it. Like you. You never asked me about it, but I know you noticed it.” She swept the stray hairs from her face.
“I never asked about it because it isn’t a big deal to me. Do you want me to ask about it?”
She tore at the cocktail napkin, piling small pieces of white paper in a pile. “No. I mean if you want to it’d be okay, but you don’t have to.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Why’d you come to Alina? I thought you’d come with the friend you were with a few days ago. I was happy to see that you were alone.”
She leaned back and stared at him. “I got into a big fight with my dad and step-bitch. I had to get away. I just got in the car and drove and ended up in Alina.”
“I’m glad you did.” He placed his hand over hers and squeezed it. “How old are you?”
“Twenty-one, soon to be twenty-two. How old are you?”
“Just turned thirty. Have you ever thought of getting your own place?”
She nodded. “I think about it all the time, especially since my dad married Shanna. I really don’t like her.”
“I don’t blame you. I can’t stand her either.”
Fallon smiled broadly. “Really?”
“Yeah. You got a boyfriend?”
She shook her head. “And I’m not looking for one,” she said hastily.
“I’m surprised you don’t have a line of men waiting for you. You’re a natural beauty, and there’s a softness about you that makes a man’s blood boil. I like your freckles too.” He brushed his finger across the bridge of her nose.
“Men and I don’t mix all that well. I don’t really trust them.”
He squeezed her hand again. “Do you trust me?”
She nodded tentatively. “For now. I don’t know… it just seems hard to trust anyone. You do and then they go and do something horrible and leave you all alone, and all along you thought they loved you.” Her voice cracked and she cleared her throat. Shaking her head slightly, she said, “Anyway, like I said, the scenery is beautiful.”
For several seconds Diablo was quiet, the rustling branches and chirping birds filling the silent gap between them. “Who hurt you?” he asked softly.
He watched her lips quiver and her eyes shimmer. “My mom,” she whispered.
“Want to tell me about it?” He stroked the top of her hand.
Licking her lips, she focused on him. “I was always close to my mom. I adored her, and she was so kind and loving toward me. My dad was out of town a lot back then. He worked for a company and was in the sales department. Whenever he’d go on a sales trip, my mom was so relaxed and happy, but a day before he’d come home, we would both be filled with dread. My dad was…isa mean guy most of the time. He’d always accuse my mom of cheating on him while he was gone. They’d fight so much and he’d hit her….” She reached for a napkin and wiped her nose.
“Families do a lot of shit to fuck up their kids. If you don’t wanna talk about it, we don’t have to.”
