AllFreeNovel
Share Us
After another few minutes of silence, Link switched the radio on.
Guess this is how it’s gonna be.
Hours went by with nothing but the radio and the on-again, off-again April rain showers making sound. Emma had drifted off at one point, her head lolling to the side as he shifted lanes. He reached over, gently pushing her neck to a better angle.
A sign for food and restrooms whizzed by on the right side of the highway. He flicked the blinker on and pulled off the exit. Following the signs, he turned into a diner as his stomach rumbled. Shutting the engine off, he nudged her shoulder.
Emma stirred and sat, her big blue eyes blinking as if trying to make sense of her surroundings. The dark circles under her eyes seemed worse than they had been after their dad passed. A pang of concern lanced his chest—the urge to pull her into his arms, inhale a lungful of that strawberry scent that had teased him this whole ride, and give her . . . What exactly? What could he possibly give her that she didn’t already have? Nothing without crossing a very fine line.
“Figured we could stop for some lunch.” He grabbed his wallet from the visor.
Instead of answering, she swiped a few strands that had gotten loose from her braid behind her ear and lowered her ball cap. Emma opened her door and climbed out, stretching her arms wide before crossing them in front of her and walking into the diner. Link jogged to catch up, holding the door open for the man coming in behind them. Emma chose a booth in the far back corner, keeping her head dipped low as she slid in.
“Gonna hit the head.”
She nodded.
Damn, he’d really fucked up. She was just as alone as he was. He needed to fix things between them.
After relieving himself and washing his hands, he returned to the table. Two coffees had been poured. Emma dumped a packet of sugar into hers and stirred.
He slid into his seat and plucked a menu from the table, scanning the items. “Did you already order?”
She shook her head. “Not hungry.”
He frowned, looking at her over the menu. Her cheeks were more hollow than usual, and her T-shirt seemed baggier than she generally wore it. Was she eating enough? “Do you usually skip meals?”
Her gaze cut to his. She lifted the arm with the leather bracelet that had become a permanent staple since high school and gave him the middle finger.
He chuckled. “Same old Emma.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” She sat straighter, eyes narrowed.
“Deflecting with attitude.”
She rolled her eyes. “Like you’re one to talk.”
He sighed. “Yeah, guess we’re two of a kind, huh?”
Her gaze cut to his as if surprised by his honest admission.
A couple walked by, drawing her attention. She tugged her hat down and angled her face away.
“You afraid someone is going to recognize you in here?”
She chewed on her lip, a show of vulnerability as she met his eyes once again. “Yeah. Lately it’s been a little . . . much.”
“No one will think the lead singer of The Sirens would be in this Podunk town. I’d bet my car you’re safe.” He smirked.
Her shoulders lowered, relief evident on her face.
Without thinking, Link reached across the table and grabbed her hand. “Hey, you know I won’t let anything happen to you, right?”
Something flashed in her eyes, some unnamed emotion masked in hurt. “I know.”
The waitress, with a name tag that announced her name as being Betty, walked over to their table, pen in hand. “What can I get you two?”
Link glanced back at the menu he’d abandoned, pulling his hand away. “You still serve breakfast?”
