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An awkward moment of silence passed between them, and Nora frowned. “Um, where you headed?”
“Actually, I was hopin’ to speak to you.”
“Oh. Um, I’m on my way to pick up Evie. It’s gettin’ late, and I’ve got to get her fed and—well, I don’t mean to bore you withour routine.” She shook her head at herself and muttered, “I’m sorry. Can it wait?”
Before Lawson could respond, a vehicle crept up alongside of them, stopping in the middle of the street. Lawson knew two things at once. The vehicle was a rental, and there was no way that was a coincidence. The driver rolled down the passenger window and called out Nora’s name.
Nora stooped a little to peer in at the driver. Rather than speak a word of greeting, upon recognition, her spine straightened as she breathed, “Oh, my god.”
That was all the confirmation Lawson needed. He didn’t need to see the driver to know who it was. When Nash pulled out of the middle of the road, parked a couple spots down, and climbed out of the sedan, Lawson bit back a curse, accepting reality.
He was twenty minutes too late.
Five years ago, he’d been a year too late.
It was a trend he could blame on no one but himself.
“What are you doin’ here?” spoke Nora, pulling Lawson from his thoughts.
Smiling as if he were innocent, Nash answered, “I’m in town for a couple weeks. Shootin’ a movie. We wrapped early today, and I thought I’d drive down, see if you were still around. Damn, here you are. You look good.”
Nora-Jean shook her head, as if the act might make Nash disappear. She then coughed out an unamused laugh and murmured, “I look good? I look good…are you serious?That’swhat you have to say to me right now?”
Nash had the decency to look contrite. He reached up to rub the back of his neck, grimaced, then replied, “Listen, I know life took us separate ways and it’s been a long time, but I’m not the same guy I was the last we saw each other.”
“The last we saw each other…” Nora stared at him, dumbfounded, and then covered her eyes with one hand, folding her other arm across her chest as if she needed to be held together. She blew out a heavy sigh, gathered herself, then dropped her hand away from her face.
“Good for you, Creed. I’ve got to go.”
Nora-Jean started to cross the street once more, not even glancing in Lawson’s direction. She got two steps before Nash insisted, “I’d like to meet him. Or…maybe her?”
This made Nora stop. She laughed as she turned to face him. The sound was obviously meant as a mocking jeer, for the look in her eyes was more akin to what Lawson recognized as terror.
“You don’t even know her name. You didn’t even know she’s ashe.” She shook her head once more as her voice began to tremble. “I don’t know what your end game is, but I sure as hell am not playin’. And you will not toy with my little girl. Over my dead body.”
“Nora,” murmured Lawson, compelled to step in. He rested a hand on her shoulder, hoping to be a calming presence. He’d never seen her so angry. Even with the years that separated them, it still felt significant.
At his touch, she gasped and spun toward him. He watched her suck in a deep breath, her eyes locked with his. Yet again, before Lawson could say anything more, they were interrupted.
“I know you. Where do I know you from?” asked Nash.
Casting a glare in his direction, Lawson merely replied, “You don’t know me.”
“No. I do. You’ve been on set. I’ve seen you around the last couple days.”
“Like I said—you don’t know me.”
“Wait…is…isthiswhat you wanted to talk to me about?” whispered Nora.
Lawson shifted his gaze until it was resting on Nora-Jean’s face, but he didn’t speak. He knew he didn’t have to.
She bit her bottom lip. It was something she used to do when she was fighting against the urge to cry. She wasn’t touching him, and yet it felt like a punch to the gut.
“Nora…”
“Thanks for the heads up.”
The words were hardly louder than a whisper, her voice weak. Without acknowledging Nash, she fisted her keys and finally crossed the street. Nash called out after her, but Nora-Jean was gone.
