Page 130 of Heartbeats & Highways

“Sure.”

I headed into the back and quietly rapped on Roman’s door. The sound of the tattoo gun fell silent and then he opened the door a crack.

“Hey, what’s up?” he asked.

“Can I cut out early?”

“Savage is here already?”

I shook my head. “Duke. He . . . needs to talk to me. Homer only has one more client the rest of the afternoon. You might get some foot traffic, but?—”

“No sweat. Virgil can cover the front after he cleans up his station.”

“Thanks.”

He pitched his voice lower. “You good?”

I nodded.

“Okay. See you tomorrow.”

I went back to the front and grabbed my purse and keys.

“I’m ready,” I said.

“Great. There’s a diner a few blocks from here. You want to follow me?”

“Yeah.”

I was in the twilight zone. Duke had barely spoken to me the night I’d gone over to his house for dinner. I’d heard what he’s said to Savage about me. And soon I’d be sitting across a table from him. Just the two of us.

Twenty minutes later, we were in a booth, our menus handed to the waitress and Duke’s attention was completely focused on me.

“Savage won’t talk to me, and he won’t return my calls,” Duke said finally.

I frowned. “You didn’t speak at all while you were both on the road?”

“The road? Oh, you mean Idaho?” Duke shook his head. “I didn’t go. Not with Willa close to her due date.”

“Ah.”

“I don’t blame him, but . . .”

“I never meant to come between you,” I voiced. “You have to know that.”

“I do.” Duke nodded. “Willa told me I was being a bonehead, and she’s right. The fact of the matter is that it doesn’t matter how I feel about your relationship. You and Savage are together now. He and I have been friends—family—for years. I won’t lose him over this.”

“I understand,” I said gently. “But that doesn’t change how you feel about me.”

“I don’tknowyou.” His eyes searched my face. “Savage has a protective streak. A reckless streak too. I just don’t want it misplaced, you know?”

“I know. Believe me, I know how this looks.”

“Is that why you haven’t ripped into me?”

“You’re protective of him. I understand that. But I love him, Duke. I’m not going anywhere.”

The door to the diner opened and Duke’s face went slack. I frowned in confusion at his reaction and then looked over my shoulder.

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