Page 93 of Safe With You

I stopped.

“This is ridiculous.”

The bookstore didn’t answer.

I tossed the paper towel into the trash and checked my phone.

Nothing.

Of course there was nothing.

He wasn’t supposed to be here until eight.

I had just locked my phone again when someone knocked on the front door.

I looked toward the window.

Ellis stood outside with a camera bag slung over one shoulder and a cardboard drink carrier in one hand. His low waves looked freshly brushed beneath the morning light, his beard neatly lined along his jaw, and the dark T-shirt he wore fit close enough across his shoulders that I immediately redirected my attention to the coffee in his hand.

I checked the time again.

7:31.

I walked to the door and unlocked it.

“You’re early.”

“Good morning to you too.”

“It’s seven-thirty.”

“Seven thirty-one.”

“Which is still not eight.”

He stepped inside when I moved aside, his eyes traveling briefly around the bookstore before settling on me. For a second, he didn’t say anything. The pause wasn’t long enough to be strange, but it lasted just long enough for me to notice it.

Then he lifted the drink carrier.

“Peace offering.”

“For what?”

“What I’m about to put you through.”

I closed the door behind him. “See, saying things like that isn’t helping.”

“It’ll be painless.”

“You told me yesterday I had to trust you.”

“A little.”

“And now you’ve shown up thirty minutes early talking about what you’re about to put me through.”

“Twenty-nine.”

I stared at him.