Page 39 of The Allure of Ruins

“That really hurts!” I muttered instead of yelling, not wanting to make a scene in front of SAC Calhoun since he’d been so nice to us. I rubbed my ear, though.

“Gimme a break,” he warned me.

I took a step sideways, and he, of course, grabbed my bicep and yanked me right back. I rolled my eyes and stood there trying to wait patiently for Calhoun, before he called over to Colton to give him his address for CPD. Funny that right then I was reminded of a conversation with one of his friends from two years ago.

While he was at a party, I had brought him some papers that had to be signed and scanned in so they could be filed before our midnight deadline with family court. Since it was the middle of summer, everything was outside on the enormous deck, so the hostess, his friend’s wife, had led me into the kitchen, where I could use the table to get everything ready for him.

“Excuse me,” a woman said, taking a seat beside me, smiling. “May I speak to you for a moment?”

“Certainly.”

She put her hand on her chest. “I’m Gwen Evans, and you’re Paxton, aren’t you? I’ve spoken to you on the phone.”

“Oh yes, very nice to put a face to the voice.”

Taking a breath, she said, “I have a quick question, and I have no one else to ask, but it might be a bit awkward.”

Great. “Sure.”

“Have you ever had an issue with Colton ever hurting you, and if so, did you mention it to him?”

I could not have stopped my scowl if I tried. My hackles went up, my whole body instantly bristling.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” she said. “Never⁠—”

“Oh, Gwen,” the hostess said, chuckling as she took a seat at the end of the table, having brought me a bottle of water. “What did you say to Colton’s darling assistant?”

“Nothing, I⁠—”

“I’m kidding, I heard.” The hostess reached over the papers and took her hand. “Paxton?”

I turned to her.

“I’m Sophie, by the way.”

“Thank you for allowing me into your home.”

“You’re so welcome, and I’d love for you to get yourself a plate, we have so much, but to the topic. You know, and I know, that when Colton likes you, he forgets about his own strength sometimes. I made the mistake years ago of using the words too rough when I spoke to him and asked him if he could be a bit gentler with me.”

“You did?” Gwen asked her. “Oh my God, I should have just asked you, but I had no idea you⁠—”

“He has never hugged me since.”

Gwen’s breath caught.

“I mean, he’ll lean in, give me a pat, but then back up so fast, it’s enough to give me whiplash. And now, of course, with Brian being born, when he’s here, Paul always gives him the baby, and a more gentle, careful, considerate man, you could not ask for. He’s the same with my nieces and other kids. Omar and Suzie, their daughter, Stephanie, whenever she’s throwing a tantrum, Suzie picks her up and takes her to Colton. Kids—all kids—love him. My dogs too. Even my super annoying cat loves Colton. He’s actually outside, right now, walking Brian through our backyard, navigating around dog crap—so embarrassing—to get him to burp.”

“Why are you⁠—”

“He roughhouses with Paul, he’s careful with Brian, and he thought I was like Suzie, and he could grab me and hug me and hold my hand, but now, because I said something, he doesn’t trust himself to be mindful, so that’s it. And I hate that it’s all or nothing with him, but I also get it. I said something, and he has changed around me so I never feel uncomfortable again.”

Gwen looked stricken.

“Did you say something to him?”

“I told him I didn’t like to be manhandled, and now, suddenly, he’s busy with work.”

“He is busy at work,” I defended him.