Page 20 of Trust Me

“Is this a turn the other cheek thing?” Tilian asked when the guy was gone. He looked Oliver up and down with narrowed eyes. “If you’re Jesus, you’d better come right out and say it.”

Oliver’s brow tightened. “Jesus?”

“Walked on water, liked figs, wore some dope sandals.”

“I know who Jesus is.”

“Oh.” Tilian grimaced. “Well, consider yourself proselytized anyway. Points for my eternal soul.”

Shaking his head, Oliver breathed a laugh. “You’re a weird little dude.”

“Don’t call me little.”

“Oops.” Shifting his attention to me, Oliver frowned. “Sorry for grabbing you. I thought you were going to hit Cyrus.”

I lifted a brow. “The mugger told you his name?”

“Mugger? No, he’s a friend of mine.” His head cocked. “You thought I was being mugged?”

“I mean, that’s why I tried to help.”

“Aw, that’s sweet.”

Not sure if he was mocking me, I didn’t respond.

“I’m gonna go ahead and order those coffees,” Tilian chimed in. “Want a latte, Oli?”

His eyes brightened. “Peppermint tea would be cool. Thanks, man.”

Walking backward, Tilian offered me a double thumbs up and a wink before he rushed away. I wanted to run after him, but Oliver was staring at me expectantly.

“So, are you mad?” he asked as he rubbed the back of his neck. “That I manhandled you.”

Surprised by the question, I laughed. “No, we’re cool. I just didn’t know you were having a friendly brawl on the sidewalk.”

“He was showing me how he fought someone off the other day.”

“Ah. If you give out cash to everyone who beats you in a fight, I might have to request a match soon.”

“Do you need it?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but I saw him pulling out his wallet again. Holding my hand up, I shook my head. “It was a joke.”

“Okay.” He offered me a smile and gestured for me to start walking.

God, this was the most awkward conversation of my life.

“I would have introduced you,” he said after a minute. “But Cyrus is sort of skittish.”

“I’m sure he wasn’t a fan of me anyway.”

“He wouldn’t hold it against you. He just expects the worst from people.”

“Bad experiences?”

“You could say that. He doesn’t have a place to live, and he’s been through some things out here over the years.”

“I can imagine.”