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He shifted and I braced against the disappointment, but instead of getting up to follow his sister, he slid his seat closer to mine and shook his head.
“Nah, I’m fine right where I am. Besides, I couldn’t enjoy myself knowing you weren’t feeling well.” His brow pinched with curiosity, and after a beat, he went on. “If you don’t mind my asking, I got the impression you were from the city before, but if you don’t handle lights and noises…”
I sighed, rubbing a hand over my face. How much should I tell him? I’d done my best so far to field all questions about where I’d come from, wanting to completely cut myself away from Harvey and that mess until he was caught, but I couldn’t lie to him.
Decision made, I answered truthfully, though with far less detail than I usually would.
“I didn’t live in a huge city, and for the most part, I never went anywhere with loud noises or flashing lights.”
I’d lived in a moderate city, and yes, there’d been days where I’d been ready to puke from sensory overload, but usually, it wasn’t an issue.
He bobbed his head, but that curiosity stayed, eating away at him. This time he didn’t ask whatever was on his mind, and after a long minute, I poked his arm.
“You can ask. I don’t know what it is, but it’s obvious that you have a question. I won’t be angry either way. If I don’t feel like answering, I’ll say so.”
It could have been my imagination, but I could have sworn I saw a light flush on his cheeks. Before I could verify though, he spoke, and all thoughts of blushes abandoned me.
“Alright. Since the day you walked into the gun shop, I’ve wanted to ask you something, but we didn’t know each other then, so I thought it’d be too forward. We still don’t know each other now, to be honest, but I can’t stop thinking about it…”
My heart tripped, then beat triple time. Was he going to ask me out?
Good Lord, what would I even say?
I’d only just gotten out of a relationship that may have killed me further down the line. Ishouldn’thave any feelings for anyone else, especially not so soon. Was this just a rebound crush?
If it was, then I couldn’t get into anything with him. It wouldn’t be fair.
Before I could open my mouth to say as much, he continued, dropping ice over me like a bucket of water.
“Is someone after you, Jen?”
Oh, this was going in a completely different direction than I’d expected, and I wasn’t sure which topic I liked less.
My stomach rolled again and I looked away, trying to find the words to describe what was going on without giving away too much.
“I-…”
I couldn’t manage more than that, and after a long beat, his hand slid around mine and squeezed, nearly sending me out of my skin.
“It’s alright. You don’t have to answer, remember? Its just since the minute you walked into the shop, you’ve seemed on edge, as if you expect someone to attack you at any moment. If someone is trying to hurt you, you don’t have to worry. The sheriff can help, and I’m not about to let you get hurt.”
His mouth was set in a determined line and without a doubt, he meant that. Bubbly warmth simmered under my skin and, despite the urge to bury this subject and never speak of it again, I answered carefully.
“I…was in a bad relationship. I didn’t even realize how bad it was going to be until I almost married him. Thankfully, he showed his true colors before we went through with it. I wanted a fresh start, so I left.”
All true, although severely watered down.
Oliver’s eyes glowed with protective anger even as his grip stayed gentle. “Did he hurt you?” The words rang with the promise of violence, and I shook my head.
“No, but I think he would have, though.” I hesitated, thinking of what else I could tell him. Something about Oliver made mewantto speak, to get all the painful little secrets out because I knew he wouldn’t tell anyone.
So, despite the logic screaming that I hardly knew him, and the fact that I’d only been in town for a few weeks, I continued. “He was after my family’s money; I overheard him on a call saying as much. It was-.” I choked, the betrayal still fresh. “It was the day before the wedding, the night before, technically.”
The anger in his eyes grew, and he shook his head with a hiss. “How could anyone do that? And for money?” He sneered. “I’ve barely known you a few weeks, and the idea is incomprehensible. For anyone to want you for anything other than you is just…”
At some point he’d started scooting closer, stopping when his body heat brushed against my side. My skin buzzed to life, and I swallowed around my dry throat.
I shouldn’t let these feelings root. I couldn’t hurt him or myself this way.
