Page 152 of Duty

“I’m sorry I didn’t call.”

Andino was quiet for a hell of a lot longer than Haven liked on the other end of the call, but she figured … well, she gave him silence for weeks. This was only fair, wasn’t it?

“I never expected you to be a doormat, Haven,” he finally said, “and certainly not mine. Don’t apologize for needing space, or time.”

Yeah, okay.

“Where are you going to be tonight?”

“The office at my restaurant—until at least one, anyway. There’s a lot of shit going on.”

“I can come to you, then.”

“Please,” he murmured. “I miss you.”

Her heart hurt again.

The guilt compounded.

“I just …”

“What?” Andino asked. “Tell me anything.”

“If I matter to you—”

“You matter to me more than anything.”

Haven let out a shaky exhale. “Then it shouldn’t be a big deal to make me a priority. More often than not, I’ve felt like an afterthought, Andino.”

“I can only apologize.”

Apologize, she thought.

But not promise it wouldn’t happen again.

Haven heard what wasn’t said.

• • •

Haven listened to the cabbie chatter on from the driver’s seat as he navigated the city streets. She was only half listening, and occasionally offered him a nod or hum to make it seem like she was conversing back. It wasn’t his fault, really. Her distraction was her own.

Talking was likely the only thing that got him through the work day on a regular basis. It was going to be a late night for him, likely. It always was for cabbies in the city.

The phone in her pocket rang just as they turned onto the block for Andino’s resturant. She hadn’t even gone home to see Valeria or Maria yet. Pulling the phone out, she didn’t bother to check the ID before answering.

“Hello?”

“Haven?”

Andino’s voice made her smile.

“Hey, I’m about five minutes or so away.”

“Shit,” Andino mumbled.

All over again, that heaviness was back.

“What is it?” she asked.