Page 59 of The Two Last Moments

Especially if he’s not in the comfort and safety of his car. If he’s behind the original attempt on Lark’s life, then he’s the kind of fucker who hurts women. Who hides behind lies and disguises.

I wouldloveto face him in the light of day. And I plan to ask him what he knows about my uncle Travis, too. Cam could’ve sent those emails.

Lark holds my gaze for a long moment. “I’ll stay here with you. I want to talk to him. Are you going to tell me no?” Her tone makes it clear she wouldn’t accept that even if I did.

And I get it. As much as I want to face the guy who’s terrorized her, she needs that more.

“I was going to say that I’ll be right here beside you the whole time.”

She exhales, her shoulder leaning into mine. “Good. I don’t think I could do this otherwise.”

Then I’m with you, I want to say.However you need me, I’m yours.

I’ll stand by her. Keep her safe. But I’m fooling myself if I say it’s just kindness between friends.

We’ve already established that we’re not going to cross the line between friendship and more. But God, I want it. I want all of Lark. I want to fight for her and fuckingwinher and be able to call her mine, and that craving is getting harder and harder to resist.

* * *

Cam walksinto the café almost half an hour later. He’s whistling to himself, tossing his car keys up and down on his palm. The moment he walks in the door, his eyes go straight to the corner table. As if it’s a habit.

He stops mid step when he sees Lark. His eyes bulge. He flinches toward the door, like he’s considering walking right back out again.

But then he turns back to face her. “Lark?” Her name is a question. His eyes move over me next, noticing how close I’m sitting to her.

Denise comes over and says something to him. She pats him on the arm sympathetically, smiling over at us before returning to the register.

Cam glances around, then walks toward our table. “What’re you doing here?” he asks breathlessly. “Who ishe?” He nods at me. I wait for Lark to answer, but she’s just staring back at him.

“I haven’t seen you in weeks,” he says. “You didn’t return any of my calls. I had no idea if you were okay.”

“It’s a long story,” she says.

“But you decided to stop by with your new boyfriend?” There’s possessiveness in his voice.

He’s athletic. Someone who keeps in shape. Maybe running, lifting weights. He’s not huge, but his forearms are corded with muscle. I don’t sense any threat from him, at least not an overt one. Is that because I’m here? Or because he’s not the kind of person who would ever lash out at anyone?

Either way, I’m not going to leave Lark alone for a minute with him. Is there a hint of jealousy behind that feeling? Damn right there is, even if there shouldn’t be. I have no idea who this Cam really is. The only thing we’re sure of is that he dated Lark, and for that reason alone, I’m not a fan.

“Danny’s a friend. A close friend.”

I lift my hand and rest it on the back of her neck. A gesture of comfort and support, yes, but I’m also claiming her. In front of Cam, in front of the whole world. This girl is mine to protect. Even if she’s not mine in every way I wish she could be.

Cam looks hurt. Confused. Every bit the scorned ex. “What are you doing here?” he asks again.

I nod toward the door. “It might be better if we all talk outside.” There are a few other customers here, and if Cam becomes a problem, I’d rather not have an audience.

22

The three of us file out. There’s a small patio to one side of the café. The sidewalks are busy with tourists, but here it’s quiet. Much quieter than the inside of my head, where alarm bells are ringing.Whyandwhoandwhatandhow.

None of us makes a move to sit down. Danny leans his back against the brick wall of the café building, while I stand about a foot away from him. Close enough to feel he’s nearby, but still standing on my own. Since the first moment I woke in the hospital, I’ve leaned on him. I’ve relied on Danny in ways that I couldn’t explain or understand. But now, it’s more than that. I need Danny so much that it scares me.

And that feeling is too overwhelming right now on top of everything else.

Cam takes up a spot across from the both of us. “You going to tell me what’s going on?”

“I’ll try to explain. Don’t ask questions, okay? Just let me get it out.”

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