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Sofia kicks me beneath the table. “You could have at least said hello to her.”
“Why would I do that?”
“Because I was busy talking to Brennan. You know, you really need to work on this whole being friendly thing,” Sofia says as the waitress approaches. “You could do with a friend or two. Brielle might be a good place to start. She already understands the lifestyle.”
“Yes,” I say, my tone dripping with sarcasm. “Because what I need is for my life to get evenmorecomplicated right now.”
“Welcome to Northern Diner. What can I get started for you two today?” the waitress asks, flipping open a little notebook and plastering a large smile on her face.
As Sofia places her order, I look around the restaurant and see Brielle watching us. She looks away, a slight tinge to her cheeks even in the low light.
After a second, Brielle sits up a little straighter and looks at me again, her gaze locks with mine and she crosses her arms. When she arches an eyebrow, I know it’s a silent challenge.
Challenging me to what is the part I’m stuck on.
There’s something about her that makes me want to find out.
Which is why I’m going to stay as far away from her as possible.
3
BRIELLE
The sun is falling toward the horizon as I snap a few pictures of the boats bobbing in the marina. People scurry along the docks, either coming in for the night or about to head out to watch the fireworks celebrating the founding of the town.
“You know, as much as I love being back home, I can’t wait to get the hell out of here,” Brennan says as he steps out of the cabin of his boat and looks up at me. He raises a hand to shield his eyes from the sun. “Are you going to be alright here on your own?”
No. Someone knows who I am. What if it’s true they found me? Please don’t leave me…But this is my problem. Brennan has his own to deal with.
“Yes,” I say instead, turning to take a picture of him with the blue water glistening in the background. “I’ll be fine. I was on my own for a while before you found me at fourteen. I’m twenty-three now. I can handle some time on my own.”
Brennan hoists himself on top of the cabin beside me and reclines against the pillows. “I know that you can look after yourself, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t still worry about you. I keep thinking that there is going to be a day when you don’t have to look over your shoulder anymore, but then I remember that those people are still out there.”
I smile and shrug, even though my stomach lurches. “Everything is going to be fine, Brennan. You have work you need to do.”
“I’m going to send you a message every day. You’re going to have to tell me the second that something goes wrong.”
“Brennan.”
He narrows his eyes. “Brielle.”
“Everything will be fine. Nobody has come after me in a long time. You heading down to South America for a couple of weeks isn’t going to change that.”
When he sighs, I feel guilty. I know I should tell him about the messages, but if I do, he’ll put me first and won’t leave. Either that or he will insist on making sure that someone watches over me.
I don’t need a babysitter.
If I don’t tell Brennan about the messages and all the new accounts I’ve had to create, he will go and sort out whatever issues he’s having with his suppliers. I’m tired of feeling like I keep holding Brennan back from everything that he’s been working for. Regardless of how he feels about it, I’m not his charge and not his responsibility.
“You know I worry about you,” he says as he looks over at me. Brennan tucks his arm behind his head. “If anything happens, you need to get in contact with me as soon as possible. I’ll be on the way back as soon as I can.”
“Brennan, stop worrying about me. I’m an adult.”
He chuckles and relaxes for another minute before getting to his feet. “I’ve got to go home and get packed up. Are you going to stay out here?”
“A night on the boat sounds like a good idea. Is the security system working again?” I ask as I turn and take another picture of one of the bars at the marina. I might want to stay, but only if I can feel safe.
“It is. There are a couple of guns hidden where they normally are too. Just make sure that you turn the system on when you head in the cabin for the night.”
