Page 68 of Secret Sins

"Yeah, but he doesn't reveal his life's story to me. We exchange talk about the fish, the weather, and how the store is faring."

Sounded like Van, alright. "The point is, he just learned the threat he thought he was facing no longer exists. Yet there's this guy asking about him."

"Stranger danger," Ro muttered. "You need to stay away from him."

"I can't do that if he comes into the store."

"True," she said. "Have you thought about talking to Kay or Eric?"

"I was contemplating it this morning."

"They're your best bet, especially if Van isn't a fugitive after all." When I glared at him, Liam shrugged. "That's the vibe he gives off. Didn't say I judged him for it."

"He likes you," I murmured. "Talks about how you break up his monotonous days."

"Good, because I like him too. Bring him around any time."

"I'm working on it, but he has more issues than Better Homes and Gardens."

Ro chuckled at my poor attempt at a quip, but she pulled me in for another hug. "You'll figure it out. You're a smart motherfucker."

"Gee, thanks."

But I felt better after visiting them and picking up some fresh fruit. After retrieving Charlie and opening the doors to Bookish, I set out the sign and hoped the guy would stay away if Van wasn't around. The last thing I wanted was a confrontation. I dusted the shelves while munching on an apple and waited for passersby to realize there was more to this town than the beach.

Van came in after his shift ended, as I knew he would. He looked tired, but mostly okay. The hug he gave me rivaled Liam's, and that was saying a lot.

"How are you doing?" I asked.

"Not terrible. Just worried."

"I'm sorry, baby."

Backing up, Van wandered down an aisle while watching my face above the books. "What if Beth was wrong?"

My mouth felt dry, and my heart thumped painfully. "I don't see how, but we'll figure something out. Just like we planned before we heard from her."

"You once told me your heart is embedded in these floorboards. I won't let you leave that behind."

"And I told you that you don't get to decide for me." My voice was rougher than I intended, but I wouldn't allow him to push me away again.

"No, but if I have to leave after all, you aren't abandoning your dreams for me."

"Funny, that sounds an awful lot like you deciding for me."

"Goddammit!" he shouted. It was uncharacteristic for him to have such an outburst, and the sight of it killed me.

Charlie took off like a fire had been lit under his ass, flattening his body until he could fit under the shelves along the wall.

Lifting my eyebrows, I rested my fists on my hips and stared back at Van's furious expression. I didn't know how to respond to him when he got like this.

"You're too fucking important to risk," he said.

"I'm willing to accept whatever risk you represent. Or haven't you noticed?"

A tempest brewed in his eyes, but I would not back down. He had to learn that I was in this for the long haul. His breathing came faster, his chest heaving.

And then I saw tears well up, and my heart fractured just a little more.