Page 56 of Living with Death

“I need to talk to you about something.”

He nods, releasing a breath. “I know.”

A raise a brow. “You know?”

“Yes.” Worry etches his face.

“Okay, well, after my shift then.”

“Anytime you wish.”

I watch him for a moment as my curiosity piques. Why is this conversation changing his mood? Suddenly, I want to go inside and tell Robbie I need to leave early, but the questions I’ll get from all of them stop me. A second thought occurs to me.

“Before, when you spoke to me in my mind, you said she’s dying. Were you referring to Cassie?”

“Yes, she’s a drug addict. She’s going to overdose.”

“I knew something was wrong.”

“She hasn’t had an easy life. Her child died in a car accident. She hasn’t been the same since.”

I place my hand over my chest. “That’s heartbreaking.” I wish there were something I could do to help. Maybe pay for rehab. I wonder if her family has anything to do with her. I could reach out to them.

I’ll look into that.

“Before we talk, I’d like to show you something,” he says.

“Like what?”

His grin reaches up to his eyes. “You’ll see.”

“Okay,” I murmur. “I’m sorry for hitting you.”

He chuckles a low rumbling sound as if it’s ridiculous that I’m even apologizing. “Get back to work. I’ll see you later.”

I nod, licking my lips, and as I walk toward the alley, I say, “Stop reading my thoughts.”

When I come back in, Sam looks at me. “Where’d you go?” she asks.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” I walk back to my register. “Where’s Jason?”

She points outside, and I see him talking with Leigh. “They’re going on a date Friday,” I say.

“I heard, but I don’t care about them.” She leans against my counter. “I want to know what’s been going on with you. Why’d you come back looking all flushed?”

“Did I?” I ask, patting my cheek. “I don’t feel hot.”

“Not on the outside.” She wiggles her brow. “But I bet on the inside you’re smoldering.”

I laugh out loud. “You’re insane, woman.”

She giggles but turns serious.Uh-oh.

“Tell me about Jack. What happened with you two, and what’s happening with you two now?”

“I told you. We were friends and went our separate ways.”

She rolls her eyes. “Mmm, and what’s Jack doing back in town?”

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