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When she reached the part about the non-responses from the co-op shops, he had to press his lips together to keep from speaking, because he was almost a hundred percent sure he knew where the story would end.
He stroked his thumb over hers, nodded as she continued, but when he heard about the letter in the bin, Rick couldn’t keep his words in.“Fuck.Him.”
His temper was held at bay on a short leash, and he wanted to break something.One of Sebastian Yates’ limbs, to be precise.He took another steadying breath, so he didn’t end up yelling.
“Fuck him, Maddie,” he said again, and he made his tone pretty even, considering all the mad he’d built up.“He hadnoright.No fuckin’ right.”
“I know, believe me, I know.”Maddie sighed, and her eyes were brimming with tears.She dashed them away with her free hand.“We fought.He said he was doing what was best for our future.He had railroaded me completely, painted me into a corner, altered my plan so it fit his.”
She inhaled deeply, clearly gathering her calm.“He started to explain further, but I didn’t want to hear his bullshit.
“I told him to go fuck himself.I stormed out, and I asked my mum to post the engagement ring back through his letterbox.Later, my dad went to get what little stuff I had at his place, too.”
Maddie looked at him through sad, hazel eyes.Shiny tears brimmed in them.“And that was just days before I was due to fly here.He called me at least three times, begged me to stay and work through things, but I couldn’t renege on the promise I’d made to Aunt Laurie and Jess.”
Rick swallowed back his incendiary rage.She didn’t need that now.
Tori arrived with their plates, wished them a great meal.Maddie thanked her with a smile that didn’t reach her lovely eyes.
“And that’s it,” she added, easing her hand free of his and picking up her cutlery.“I’ve got baggage, and I wanted you to know how much.Whatever happens, I’m never going back to him.I think I might finally block his number so he can never call me again.”
Rick toyed with his own fork, imagined stabbing Sebastian in the eye with it.Then the dick, then the eye, again.
“Thank you for tellin’ me,” he managed to say.
She smiled at him, and some of her perkiness was back.“Thank you for being so angry.It’s very comforting.”
In lieu of Sebastian Yates’ eye being available, Rick stabbed a slice of cucumber with his fork.“I was an excellent shot in the Army, Maddie.Hit targets from twelve hundred yards away.”
She rewarded him with a watery laugh.“Thanks.I’ll let you know.I like you so much, Rick.You deserve to be more than someone’s rebound.So much more.”
He let himself drink in the graceful line of her neck, the sweet curve of her lips.“Maddie, you have to know that right now, I’d settle for being your anythin’, for as long as you allow.”
Setting his fork down, he leaned forward a little.“And for the record, I amfarfrom baggage free.The Army was my family for a while, and my ticket to see the world, but it fucked me up in ways I probably will never fully understand.I still have nightmares, wake up from ‘em in cold sweats.I hate bein’ snuck up on.I attend a support group for veterans every Sunday in Louisville.”
Her face didn't change.No pity, no withdrawing from him."I'm so happy you do that, Rick.”
“I wrangled with it for a while.I ain’t gonna lie.I went ‘round and ‘round in my head about how men shouldn’t have to talk about feelings an’ such.But I have Jenny to think about, and my dad’s business, well, it’s our business now, I guess.”
Maddie leaned toward him, mirroring his pose, and took one of his hands with both of hers, sandwiching his palm between them.
“I couldn't go off the rails, because of them, and because I still want to be able to look myself in the mirror in the mornin’.It helps, talking to people who lived the same experiences I did.”
She squeezed his hand.“Do you want to talk to me about it?What you saw, the things you had to do?"
"Not right now.But one day, maybe.”
“Well, when that day comes, I’ll be here.”She rubbed her thumb in small circles over his skin, the little move gently comforting.The fact she didn’t add a meaningless platitude or tell him he wasso bravemeant a lot.
Rick studied her expression, grateful she took him as he was, and asked, “Would you like to come over for dinner Sunday?The day after the wedding,” he clarified.“I can cook one of the other two things I'm halfway good at."
Her smile was sweet and sunny, and this time it did warm her eyes."I would love that."
"I'll ask Jenny and Toby to stay over at Mom and Dad's," he added, holding her gaze so she didn't miss his meaning.
Her cheeks flushed.“Maybe you can make me another of your excellent omelets in the morning.”
She was so goddamned irresistible that he wanted to cart her out of the diner and into his truck, lay her out on the backseat and use his mouth on her until she forgot her own name.
