Page 214 of Romeo

“What if Frank hadn’t pulled in?”

“But he did.” My voice sharpened with the need to keep the answer simple. “He was there, and now Frank knows what he looks like. Georgie knows because Frank called him immediately. They’re both acting like I need an armed escort to buy milk.”

“Sounds reasonable.”

“You would say that.”

“Baby, some asshole grabbed you while carrying a gun. You’re not talking me into thinking that’s nothing.”

“I’m not saying it was nothing.” I looked toward Granny’s front door. “I’m saying I’m safe right now. In this moment, I’m sitting in my driveway, and I’m safe.”

“I know.”

“Do you?”

A slow breath came through the phone.

“Trying real hard.” The admission quieted something in me. Jasper didn’t pretend the distance didn’t bother him or give me some impossible promise that no one would ever scare me again. He was simply trying to believe what I was telling him.

“You’re doing the quiet thing.”

“What quiet thing?” he asked, his voice slightly lighter.

“The one where I can practically hear you thinking.”

A little more warmth returned to his voice. “Maybe I’m picturing Frank threatening him.”

“That actually made you feel better, didn’t it?”

“Little bit.”

I smiled for the first time since leaving the gas station.

“Frank was terrifying.”

“Good man.”

“Jasper.”

“What?”

“I’m okay.” I said it more slowly this time. Not because I wanted to convince myself the encounter hadn’t mattered. It had. I could still feel it beneath my skin.

But it was over.

“I know, Cher.”

“And you don’t have to worry about me all night.”

“That one I can’t promise.”

“I figured.”

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

“Call me when you get inside?” he asked. “When you’re locked in with Granny?”

“I will.”