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“Where are you going?” His stare was intense, as if he looked hard enough he’d see all her secrets.
“Out of town for a few days.”
His brows burrowed even lower than before. “And what about steaks tonight? Are you canceling plans with me? Or are you leaving tomorrow? I didn’t realize you asked Juliet for some time off.”
She hadn’t. This was all a spur-of-the-moment thing. If Juliet had left her alone and not said anything about last night, she wouldn’t be running. At least, not yet. She would’ve had dinner with Griffin. She would’ve soaked up a bit more of his kindness, his sweet smiles and wonderful laugh. Perhaps even a touch or two.
“Yes, I do have to cancel plans tonight. I need—”
“You need to stop lying to me,” he cut her off with a harsh growl.
The anger in his tone had her taking a step back, her shoulders cringing inward, shielding herself from a potential blow.
Griffin cursedhimself for frightening her—again. He had to keep his cool, his anger in check. It wasn’t her fault she was terrified. That she thought she had to leave. He kept his distance a little too much. He took more time than he should’ve trying to gain her trust. He realized that now.
Getting that phone call from Juliet that Eve would run sent his heart into a tailspin. She couldn’t leave. Not like this. Not if she was in danger.
He softened his expression, quieting his tone of voice.
“I’m not going to hurt you, Eve. I’m not going to stop you from leaving either. But,” he said, taking one tiny step into the room, “I am going to try to convince you to trust me. To tell me what has you so frightened. Why’d you tell Juliet you can’t trust anyone? If you need help, I’m here for that. You have to know that. So is Juliet. Bryce as well.”
Her body seemed to relax a fraction.
“Did someone hurt you? Are you running from someone?”
She tensed once again.
Damn it! He was screwing this up left and right.
How did he show her she could trust him? After the last two months, she should know he’d do anything for her.
He stepped farther into the room but to the side of the doorway. Enough space for her to leave without him getting in the way.
He gestured at the exit. “See, you can leave. Go on your mini trip. I’ll be here waiting for you to get back. We’ll have steaks then.”
Just like the time she wanted to leave without eating his lasagna, he was giving her a way out. Making sure she knew she wasn’t trapped. She held the power and control of the situation.
She glanced at him, then the doorway. He could see the indecision written on her face. His stomach twisted in pain when she grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder. He felt like someone shoved a knife in his gut when she walked past him without a word.
She was truly going to leave without telling him why.
He didn’t move, not wanting to scare her any further. He heard rustling in the kitchen as if she were grabbing as much food as she could for the road. She’d need it if she was going on the run again.
He clenched his fists, then unclenched them, telling himself not to move an inch. He couldn’t stop her. It wasn’t his place. But damn it, he wanted to. He wanted to beg her to trust him, to know that whatever problems she had he’d fix them. Or die trying.
He closed his eyes, his heart breaking in two when he heard the front door close. She was officially gone. He knew he’d never see her again.
“I shouldn’t have said I’d make potato salad. It should marinate in the sauce to get a good flavor for at least a day. I didn’t have time to make it last night. Honestly, I forgot to make it.”
His eyes flew open. Eve stood in the doorway. No bag on her shoulder. No purse in her hand. No food by her side. Just her and the fright in her eyes.
“I have fixings for a salad. We can have that instead.” His heart pounded at the realization she hadn’t left.
But she still could. He felt like he was right back on that shaky ground and one wrong move would send him tumbling to his death.
She took a step into the room. “You would’ve let me leave.”
“I still will. Not that I want you to.”
