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“You got somewhere to be?”
“Not for another half hour. I have a client I’m meeting in Birch. Figured I’d just drive over and eat in the car beforehand.”
“Got a job here?”
She shook her head. “No. I work in Lawry for an outreach program that helps former inmates acclimate and offers free services for their benefit. It’s actually got some really great opportunities if you’re ever interested. I can…” Her voice trailed off when Hyde narrowed his gaze.
“Or not,” she muttered.
“Where in Birch?”
“Barry’s.” She drew in a breath. “I suggested a café, but she insisted on the bar. She said it was her comfort zone for meeting strangers.”
Hyde squared his jaw, giving a curt nod. She was about to walk to her car when he gestured to the corner of the building.
“Come on.” He gave her his back, and she followed him.
When he rounded the corner, she angled her head to the left, seeing past his shoulder. There were three wooden picnic tables with umbrellas that had seen better days. He stepped up on the seat of one and sat on the table’s surface.
“Better than eating in your car, right?”
She wasn’t sure about the accommodations, but the company certainly was. She’d always gotten a good vibe from Hyde. Plus, she’d eaten alone a lot; this was better.
She put down her food but instead of following his lead, she sat on the seat about two feet away. He cracked open his energy drink and chugged a good amount. Then it was quiet. Silence had a way of making people uncomfortable. Imogene had grown accustomed to it, and it usually didn’t bother her. Until now.
She opened up the wrapping on her sandwich and took a bite. Not bad for a gas station. She peeked up at Hyde, who was staring off into the distance. There wasn’t much to see. Aside from the road, it was an open field with overgrown brush.
“You must be happy to be home.”
“Yeah.”
He didn’t elaborate. She took another bite. Considering he’d invited her to sit with him, it seemed odd he wasn’t taking an initiative to talk.
“Are you still with your girlfriend? Penny, right?”
He stilled and slowly angled his head, glancing down at her.
“Asking if I’m single?”
Was she? That wasn’t the question. Wait, does he think I’m hitting on him? His jaw was squared, and his gaze narrowed. She couldn’t read his thoughts, but he didn’t look happy with her inquiry. Oh my God, he does think I’m making a pass at him.
She forced the remainder of the bite down her throat.
“No, I was just wondering because I met Penny once. We kind of ran into each other. She recognized me in the store, and we started talking.” She shifted on the bench. “She’s very nice and beautiful.”
His gaze softened, and his lips twitched. “Nice, huh?”
Imogene gave a small shrug. “She was to me.”
Hyde took another sip from his drink. “Yeah, we’re together.”
Imogene smiled.
“She lives down in Lawry too.”
That took her by surprise. She’d often seen his girlfriend visiting and always assumed she lived close by, not states away. It definitely spoke volumes of Penny’s commitment if she was willing to travel that far to see him.
“Oh, maybe I’ll run into her again.”
