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“I can give you a ride home,” Daniel offers.
“Thank you. That’s kind of you, but I have a friend picking me up.” Friend. The word isn’t exactly right, but I don’t think I can call Cole my boyfriend until we talk a few things through.
“I don’t mind.”
“They’re already on their way.”
“Alright.” Daniel shifts on his feet, and the sleeve of his jacket brushes my cardigan. “How are things going? We haven’t talked much lately. You’ve had all your attention taken up.”
There has been an influx of projects I’ve been working on. After a year at my job and speaking at the conference, my director seems to trust me to pursue more of my ideas without oversight. And I’ve been looking for any and every distraction from my disastrous love life.
“I guess I have been running around a lot lately.”
“Hmm. Maybe you’ll have some more time now that Allemand guy is out of your life.”
I stiffen at his judgmental tone. Is he making a comment on me, Cole, or both of us?
“What do you mean?” My voice stays casual even as my mind sifts through ways to change the subject.
“Just that he was always coming up to you. Expecting all your attention. You’re better off without him. The guy is bad news.”
“Did he do something at the library?” I can’t believe Cole would’ve gotten into trouble at my work and I not have known about it. Plus, this place has always seemed like a haven for him.
“Not here, no. But the arrest, and him going to jail. You’re a good girl. Don’t want to get mixed up in that.”
Warning spiders creep over my skin, biting at my nerves. “How do you know he was arrested?” I ask.
Daniel shrugs, then goes to place his hand on my lower back as we approach the curb. “It was in the news.”
Yeah, six years ago.
When we stop walking, I expect his touch to drop away. But it doesn’t.
Instead, Daniel’s fingers curl, pressing into the cotton of my dress.
“Daniel—”
“Why’d you even bother with him?”
His question has me teetering to the side, which the security guard seems to take as leave to grip my arm and keep his hold there. Adrenaline spikes in response to the unwelcome touches.
“What?” The word is useless when I want to yellStop touching me!But something holds me back.
Daniel is my coworker.
Daniel is in charge of library security.
Daniel is alone with me on this dark sidewalk.
“I mean. The guylookedlike a bum. You had to know you could do better. That you deserved better than him.”
“I don’t—”
“You need someone who can keep you safe.”
I can keep you safe.
My stare catches on Daniel’s, and the answer is clear in the smiling crinkle at the corner of his eyes. The world briefly stops, then it moves too fast, time flashing by in sync with the rapid pounding of my heart.
