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I can’t think of a single thing.
“That’s just it,” Lexie continues. “There’s nothing wrong with Carly. She’s a lovely young woman who’s had some bad luck. Really bad luck. But she’s healing, and—”
Healing? Jesus, she’s sick, too?
A sick mother and a sick girlfriend?
But Carly’s not my girlfriend…
I barely know her, except that she runs hot for me and is so easily aroused that she’d have come after a few more seconds if Chance hadn’t disturbed us.
Still, concern for her wellbeing overwhelms me and threatens to rip my heart right out of my chest. I don’t understand this emotion, this… protectiveness. It’s swift and fierce. I protect all women, but this feeling for Carly’s different. More.
“That’s just it,” Chance says. “She needs more than the one nighter my so-called brother plans to offer her.”
That’s what I want. Wanted. Still, I don’t like the way it sounds when Chance mentions it. I had my fingers inside her. Felt the way she came alive around them. I’m not sure any longer that a quickie against the side of the bar will be enough.
“Isn’t that for her to say?” Lexie asks. “And so what if she does? Can’t a woman—even Carly—want a little fun?”
“Wait, wait, wait,” another woman intervenes—Amanda, I think. She tucks her hair behind her ear. “This isn’t right. I don’t know Carly very well, but I don’t think she’d be at all comfortable with the three of you talking about her like this when she isn’t here.”
I nod. Finally, someone with a level head. “You’re right. But you need to tell me one thing. Please. What is Carly healing from? Did she have cancer or something?”
Silence.
I swear to God I could hear a freaking pin drop.
“What? I know I just met her, but I like her. I’m concerned. How sick was she?”
I glance at Amanda first.
She shakes her head. “I don’t know. I’m new in town, and I have no idea what they’re talking about.”
Lexie and Chance exchange glances.
Impatience rears its head. “I’ll never hit a woman,” I say, “Ever. Chance, though, I swear to God I’ll give you the ass-whooping of a lifetime if you don’t tell me what’s going on.”
Chance opens his mouth, but Lexie grabs his arm and shakes her head.
“No, Chance. It’s not your story to tell.”
“Damn it!” I raise my fist. “If she’s sick, I need to know. I want to help her.”
“She’s not sick,” Lexie says quietly. “She’s just been through some…stuff.”
“She’s—”
Lexie cuts Chance off again. “No, Chance.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” I thread my fingers through my hair and leave them behind, stalking back into the bar. There’s got to be someone who will tell me—
Then I see her.
Carly.
Walking out of the ladies’ room, her face red and tear streaked, even in the bar’s dim lighting.
Funny. The bar’s nearly empty now. Where did everyone go? And why?
