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His compliment makes my belly flip. “It wasn’t always bad. In the beginning our marriage was good, but things turned on a dime. I should have left him the first time, but he was so sorry and I really believed him when he said it wouldn’t happen again.”
“And it did?”
“Yes. Many times.” I push my hair back from my face as I let out a breath. “Simone, my cousin, helped me leave.” She had been my guardian angel—she still is. “I don’t know why I’m telling you any of this.”
“I want to hear it.”
“You really don’t.” I snort. “My life wasn’t unicorns and rainbows.”
“Is it now?”
I consider his question, my eyes scanning his face. He’s moved closer to me and I didn’t even realize it, but having him in my space feels good, right even.
“It’s getting there,” I admit.
“What would make it get there faster?”
Him.
I don’t say this. Instead, I shrug. “I don’t know.”
He leans closer and I hold my breath, but he pulls a set of keys from his pocket. My keys, I realize.
“You left these in the door. That’s why I came over.”
“Oh… I was opening up when Thomas… appeared.” I close my eyes for a moment. “I’m sorry you got dragged into my mess.”
“I didn’t get dragged anywhere. It’s not in me to look the other way when people are being hurt, especially someone I happen to care deeply about.”
Again, he’s saying he cares deeply about me. My brain goes into overdrive. Does he mean it?
“Well, thank you for that. God knows what might have happened if you hadn’t come over.”
“I won’t let anyone hurt you, Nia.”
“You can’t promise that.”
He swallows hard as the air between us seems to grow and swell. I want to touch him, to be close to him, but fear keeps me locked in place.
“I won’t let anyone hurt you,” he repeats, and then he leans in.
For a moment, I think he’s going to kiss me and my entire body prepares itself. Our lips don’t meet. He pulls back with a jolt, as if realizing where things are about to go, and without warning hands me something—my keys, I realize.
Then, he flees the store like he has the devil on his heels.
