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“It’s er, it’s Cora.”
“Oh,” Teri said.
“Can I come up?”
This was her one place away from judgment.
“Please?”
Against her instinct, Teri clicked the buzzer for Cora to come up.
She held the door open and stepped away as Cora came into view, going straight back to the kitchen. This was her peaceful zone.
“Why are you here?” she asked as Cora joined her in the kitchen. Her hands shook a little and she tried not to look at the woman.
“I came to apologize.”
Teri looked up in the process of chopping mushrooms and accidentally missed, nicking her finger. “Fuck!” She winced as she moved away, not getting blood onto the food. She ran it under the cold tap.
Cooking came with its fair share of cuts and burns. She had so many marks up and down her arm from burning herself.
“Do you have a first-aid kit?” Cora asked.
“Cupboard by the door.”
Teri watched as Cora bent down, grabbed the kit, and came back. This was most civil they’d been in each other’s company for a really long time. It made Teri feel a little homesick.
“Do you do this often?” Cora asked as the Band-Aids spilled out.
“Way too much. I’m a complete klutz when I’m not careful.”
They both chuckled. With the cut cleaned, Teri wrapped it in a towel as Cora grabbed some antiseptic wipe packets and the Band-Aid.
“I don’t think it’s too deep.”
“Let me see,” Cora said.
It was just past her nail, the slightest nick, which of course meant it also hurt the most.
Cora cleaned it up with some wipes before applying the Band-Aid and wrapping it up. “There, it shouldn’t hurt a bit.”
Teri laughed. “Thanks.”
“I am sorry.”
“You don’t have to be sorry.” She really hadn’t misheard Cora.
“I do. The things I’ve said. James, Damon, the club, it … they’re right. What went on with you, Dane, and Lucy, it’s none of my business, but I’ve been treating it like it is. We were friends, and this shit with Stacey and what she tried to cause, I don’t know, I guess there is no fucking excuse. I’ve been a horrible human being. A bad old lady, and … I heard about you interviewing for a restaurant job back in the city. I don’t want you to take it. The club and Greater Falls need you.”
“How did you find out?”
“Your sister,” Cora said. “She doesn’t want you to leave and the truth is, neither do I. This is your home. You’re family to me, and I don’t want you to make any rash decisions. I’m done being a bitch. I’ll be a bitch but not like that.” Cora smiled. “I hope one day you can forgive me.”
“I forgive you.”
“No, you really need to make me earn it. I would if this was you.”
Teri smiled. “I’ve come to learn life’s too short to hold a grudge. I don’t hate you, Cora. I never have. The thing with Dane was the biggest mistake of my life. One I know every time I look at Lucy and him, I feel like I caused it.”
Cora put a hand on her arm. “No, you didn’t. That’s one thing I now know. Dane was a horn dog. He was ruining his relationship long before you came along, even after you did. This is all on him, not on you.”
Teri covered her hand with her own. “Thank you.” She frowned. “Does this mean … Damon knows?”
“About your interview?”
“Yeah.”
Cora winced. “You might want to go and make it up to him.”
Chapter Twelve
Damon didn’t want to stay at the clubhouse with all the guys knowing how he felt about Teri and the knowledge she might be leaving soon. When the fuck did that shit happen? Why hadn’t he seen the signs?
He’d been watching Teri for a long time now. The whole stalker zone he had down to a T.
He loved her.
After running his fingers through his hair, he typed his way through the computer, looking and cross-referencing everything he knew about Dane. With Lucy’s help, he had a name, date of birth, and obvious relevant addresses.
Even as he typed his way through, trying to figure out the truth about the man, he couldn’t help but think about Teri.
She’d gone for a job interview and hadn’t told him.
You had purposefully tried to knock her up. You’re not a saint.
He paused as his front door rang.
After putting the laptop down, he got to his feet and went to his front door. Teri stood on his doorstep.
“Hey,” she said.
“How did the job interview go?”
“You’re pissed.”
“Why would I be pissed?” He stepped away from the door and went to his kitchen. Ever since he’d been having Teri over, he’d taken the time to stock up on food and beer. He grabbed one of the bottles and pulled the top off, turning to look at her.
He hated the suit. Teri looked much better in summer dresses, jeans, skirts, and casual clothing, and of course, completely naked.
