Page 104 of Whirlwind

Nina shook her head. “It’s not like that. Just… not that.”

Mandy gave her a look. “I’ll switch. But you better not be lying about someone harassing you. Oh, wait… I see her.” Mandy bumped her hip. “Nice sandals.”

Nina hid her head. “I’m never talking to you again. Please switch sides.”

“She’s watching you.”

“I know.”

“Well, I expect all the juicy details later.” Thank God they were too slammed to talk about it now.

That made things a little bit easier. There was at least half a restaurant between them.

But Angel’s eyes were on her all the time.

When the rest of Angel’s table left, Angel moved to the bar and nursed a drink. A soda, Nina noticed. That seemed awfully responsible for the hellion she remembered from high school.

Was she going to wait there all night?

Apparently so.

Nina switched sides with Mandy again, enduring the good-natured ribbing as her penance for trying to avoid the issue.

Fortunately, she was on the early shift and got off at ten. After hanging up her apron, she tried to slip away through the back, like she’d just gone to the kitchen to get something but, oops, went home.

Except Angel was waiting at the back door. How had she known? If it was Mandy, she would kill her.

“Nina, wait. Can we talk?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” In fact, she was pretty sure it was a horrible idea. Because until that day, Angel had been everything that she dreamed of. And now, seeing her again in this new incarnation, she was already pretty sure that she’d be dreaming of her again. But fantasies were very different from reality.

“Why are you avoiding me?”

“Why are you following me?” Nina stepped back, toward the safety of the bar, only realizing afterward that it was a bad idea. She was losing ground.

Angel stalked toward her. “Are you seeing someone?”

“That’s none of your business.” She stepped back again. The bricks of the walk grazed her back. It was eerily like the last time Angel had cornered her, over ten years ago.

“No, then.” Angel was so close now that she could almost feel the heat of her body. But she didn’t touch. Nina cursed herself for still wanting that touch, after everything, after all these years.

“Please,” Nina made her voice strong. “I don’t want you to talk to me anymore.” It had worked last time, and she had to hope it would work again.

Angel’s face fell, and for the first time, she didn’t look confident. She looked ruined.

“I… I’m really sorry.” She closed her eyes. “I was way out of line. And I won’t bother you again. I can even… I don’t have to come back to Whirlwind. Or I can avoid it on the nights that you’re working.”

If Angel was now part of Ben’s crowd, that would be a big sacrifice. And Angel truly looked remorseful. What if Nina had gotten it all wrong?

Angel turned away and Nina already missed her warmth.

“Hang on…”

Angel turned back, but she was subdued now, hesitant. Like a puppy expecting to be kicked.

Nina had to ask. “Did you tell everyone? About the panties?”

Nina could still feel them, the rough lace seeming to burn in her pocket as she’d walked back to her dorm room that night, hands not-so-casually thrust into her pockets. Angel had worn those panties. Angel had let her kiss that beautiful torso, and then guided her lower, over that rough lace with hot flesh beneath.