Page 76 of Brutal Sin

Chapter Sixteen

Pamela raisedher gaze to the person walking into the deserted cafe. “What can I get—” The words died on her lips, the familiar face bringing memories she eagerly tried tobury.

“Hi, Pamela.” The blonde gave a half-hearted smile as she clutched a large wicker basket in her hand. “I’m Cassie from Shot ofSin.”

“I know. We’ve met before.” The woman was T.J.’s wife and a regular participant at the Vault.

“Sometimes we’re not easily recognizable with our clothes on.” The faux tilt of her lips increased.

“I suppose so.” Pamela grabbed the portafilter from the coffee machine and dumped the used puck into the refuse chute. “What can I get foryou?”

“Actually, I’ve got something for you.” Cassie raised the basket and placed it on the counter. “This is yours.”

“Why?” She paused the cleaning routine and scoped the contents of the basket from the corner of her eye. Inside lay an array of different items. Two bottles of wine. Chips. Bar nuts. A small bottle of vodka. Along with other things hidden beneath.

“I hoped you might be able to tell me the answer to that. Bryan asked me to deliver it toyou.”

“Bryan?” She raised a disbelieving brow. “He asked you to deliver me a basket of goodies?” The same Bryan who had been nicknamed for his brutality? The same Bryan who told her their time together was over? “Sorry. I think you’ve got the wrong person.”

The woman broke eye contact.

“Why are you really here, Cassie?” She shoved the portafilter back into the machine and slid along the counter, meeting the woman face to face. “We both know he didn’t send youhere.”

There was a beat of silence while T.J.’s wife turned a bright shade of pink. “Wow.” She gave an awkward chuckle. “I thought this would’ve played out a little longer than five seconds.”

“Bryan playing Santa is as far-fetched as it gets.” Pamela struggled to keep her tone friendly.

“I guess. I just thought things between the two of you may have been different.”

It was Pamela’s turn to crumple under the burn of reddening cheeks. “Nope. You’re wrong there, too.” She glanced away, meeting Kim’s gaze as she strode from the kitchen. “Bryan has no need to get back in contact withme.”

“That’s not entirely true.” Cassie reached into the basket and pulled out a pristine envelope. “He wanted you to havethis.”

“I’m sorry, I don’tbel—”

“Look, it even has your name on it. It’s a refund for your membership. He wanted to make sure you were reimbursed.”

Pamela crossed her arms over her chest, determined not to buy what she was selling, even though her heart wanted to. The only communication she’d had from Bryan was a lone, emotionless text. He hadn’t mentioned what they’d shared or how he felt. He’d only spoken about her books. The damn cancer reminders.

“I promise he wanted you to have this.” Cassie handed it over. “He just may have planned to mail it to you. That’s all. The basket was an excuse for me to seeyou.”

“And why would you want to do that?” She ignored the offering as Kim came up beside her, hovering close.

Cassie eyed them both, appearing more fragile than deceptive. “Have you got time totalk?”

“Not really. I’m working.” She ignored the empty cafe and the fact it was less than thirty minutes from closing.

“Please.” It wasn’t a request. It was a plea. “It’s important.”

“Hear her out.” Kim nudged her elbow. “You’re not going to sleep tonight if you send her away. Listen to what she has to say, and we’ll deal with it from there.”

“It won’t take long,” Cassie added.

Pamela closed her eyes, silently praying for strength. It wouldn’t need to take more than five seconds to cause mayhem. She’d already hovered on the precipice. The last few weeks had drained her. She constantly analyzed what they’d shared and what she could’ve done differently. She couldn’t stop thinking that there’d been more. More emotion and affection. More connection sizzling under the surface.

Yes, she’d thought the same thing about Lucas, but once he’d passed, those feelings had, too. The reality of their marriage had bled into her memories, allowing her to see how wrong she’d been to expect anything more than friendship and sex from her husband. He’d been explicit. Not only in his words, but in his actions. He hadn’t wanted anything from her. Not love. Not affection. Just someone to care for him in his final months. And not once had he wavered.

But with Bryan, she couldn’t letgo.

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