She touched her left earring. “But why?”
“I didn’t know your name.” Wanting to put her at ease, I asked, “Are they your favorite fruit?”
Nina’s laugh sounded like angels singing. I was about to rip myself a new asshole for thinking that when her answer caught me off guard.
“I don’t really like them.”
Interesting.
“So… why do you wear them so often?”
She hemmed and hawed, but didn’t answer. The sadness in her eyes told me there was more to the story, and much to my surprise, her sadness tore at my heart.
My first instinct was to offer comfort.Idon’t do comforting gestures.
I reminded myself this was a job, and my uncharacteristic attraction to Nina, a person of interest, was not acceptable.
“It’s okay if you don’t want to answer.” It was the best I could offer.
When the bell jingled, announcing new customers, Nina stood. “I should go back to work.”
She didn’t get far before a well-groomed man in his mid-twenties strolled in like he owned the place, making a beeline for Nina, who slid back into her seat.
“Hey babe,” he said, plopping down next to her and giving me the stink eye.
Nina’s shoulders rounded, and she avoided making eye contact as she said, “Hi.”
A five-year-old could’ve picked up on her discomfort.
So naturally, I went on high alert.
“Who are you?” he asked, snaking one arm across the back of the booth.
Staking his claim?
I held my hand out and answered, “I’m Austin, and you are?”
His handshake was weak. Mine wasn’t.
“Her boyfriend, Dirk.”
Nina squirmed, creating distance between his arm and her back.
“Is that so, Cherry?”
Dirk’s face contorted at my use of the nickname.
Nina looked like a deer caught in the headlights.
“Here’s the thing, Jerk—”
“Dirk.”
“Right, as I was saying before I was interrupted.” Dirk scoffed, but I kept going. “Nina doesn’t seem to agree.”
“Well, we broke up before my vacation, but I’m back now.”
He’s one of those. I barely knew her, well, outside of my extensive dossier, but I knew she deserved a hell of a lot better than a douche who dumped her before his vacation and reappeared assuming she’d be waiting for him.
