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I’d been busy with the food truck, yet it hadn’t made the time go by any faster. I couldn’t stop thinking about Andrew, about our date. I shouldn’t call it that. I was still married after all.Although, if I had my choice, I’d be completely free of that man.Was it breaking my vows to go on a date with another man?What a stupid question, Trish. Huxley smashed every vow he’d made with what he did to you. What he allowed to be done to you . . .
But Andrew had a right to know that I was technically married. Legally only. I’d been advised not to file for divorce to keep our whereabouts hidden. And I’d tell him. About Ella too. Unless there was more than friendship involved, the less people who knew about me the better. Safer that way. No reason to spill all my secrets. And there was a reason I was hiding at Paths of Purpose . . .to be safe. To keep Ella safe.
Damn it. I hated secrets and lies. If it kept my baby girl safe, I’d never tell the truth again.
“There’s something serious going on in that head of yours.”
I jumped, a casually dressed Andrew in front of me.
“Who are you? I know someone who looks like you, but he never takes off his tie.”
His lips twitched. “Hopefully, you’ll like me better than him.”
I looked up at the ceiling. “Hmm. I don’t know. He’s pretty likable.”
“Not too stuffy? Even with the tie?” he prodded.
“No. It really works for him,” I confirmed.
“How likable is this guy?”
“Enough for me to have dinner with him.”
“Oh man. That’s trouble for me.” He pretended to shiver.
“He’ll be here any minute,” I warned.
“Then let’s get this puppy shut down and get on our way.” Andrew moved to close my open window.
“I’ve still got thirty minutes.”
“I have to beat out the competition.”
“Help me the rest of the shift, and you win.”
Andrew disappeared around the front end and the next thing I knew, he was standing beside me.
“What do you need from me?” The question felt deeper than what it was on the surface. I blinked up at him, resisting the urge to bury my face in his chest. The sensation was odd. So many people had touched me against my will that I didn’t crave contact, especially from men. But I wanted Andrew’s arms around me. Needed the strength that emanated from him.
“A hug. I think.” Real embraces had been few and far between in my life. I’d always liked the safety and comfort they brought. If I could face this fear, I could get a piece of myself back.
“I can do that.” Yet he made no move, allowed me to reach out to him when I was ready.
We stared at one another.
Could I do this? Could I let him touch me and be okay? I don’t know. What if I can’t handle it?
I’d let my brain get involved. I was overthinking it.
I closed my eyes, wiggling my fingers at my sides. Tentatively, I lifted my hand. My actions happened in slow motion.
A throat cleared behind me, and I jumped, my eyes flying open.
“I see you didn’t wait for an answer about the job.” Mr. Hardaway’s grimace greeted me when I turned around.
“You’ve got to move fast around here,” I returned, surprised at how normal my voice sounded. My heart thumped away against my rib cage.
“I didn’t want it anyway.” His scowl deepened. “Where are those white velvet cakes? You only had them one day.”
