Page 49 of Cry, Little Dove

“Whenever you’re done being shocked, I’m ready to go,” Amanda says, a mischievous glimmer in her hazel eyes. She gets out of the car and sticks her head back inside. “Come on! It’s going to be fun!”

I grab my bag and jump out before Amanda locks up. She hooks her arm under mine like we’ve been besties forever and steers me toward the stores. I follow like a lost puppy, overwhelmed by the sights and smells.

Chattering crowds stroll along lit-up window fronts, and the scent of coffee, tea and fresh muffins streams from a stand by a babbling fountain.

“Cain never tells me about his love life. I don’t want the spicy details, of course. That’s gross.” Amanda makes a gagging noise. “I’m just worried he’ll end up old and alone being such a recluse, you know? He last had a serious girlfriend before I got sick, but since he told you to use his black Amex, your relationship seems pretty damn serious.”

A blush creeps over my cheeks. “I guess.”

“You don’t have to be shy, Erica. I want my brother to be with someone who makes him happy, and he smiled the whole time while he spoke about you! I’ve never seen his eyes shine like that.”

My teeth clench. I try to chase away the lightness encasing my heart. Why should I care that the unhinged killer holding me hostage smiled when he told his sister about me?

But God, Idocare. I care a lot. Too much.

Amanda’s head tilts as she glances at me from the side. “Soooooo… I didn’t want to ambush you in the car, but I hope you’ll forgive my curiosity. I have to ask or I’ll explode! How did you guys meet?”

I trip over my boots.

How am I supposed to answer that?Oh, you know, the usual, Amanda. We hooked up in a seedy motel before your dear older brother fucking drugged and kidnapped me.

“It’s not an exciting story.” I chuckle, swallowing hard.

“I still want to hear it! Please, hon?” Amanda flutters her long lashes at me.

Shit, what can I say?

“Um, I was buying a snack from a vending machine and it got stuck. Cain offered to help me. More accurately, he literally punched the thing until my packet of chips fell out.” I laugh at the memory. It feels like a lifetime ago.

“Sounds like him. Ever the practical problem solver and he’s always been strong as a bear. What happened then?”

“We uh… we exchanged numbers.”

“An instant spark meet-cute like in a romance novel? I love that!”

I smile, holding back a wheeze.Yes, like a pitch-black dark romance novel.

“How long have you been a couple?” she asks.

God, so many questions.

“Few months,” I lie through my teeth. It really does feel like I’ve known Cain for much longer than the weeks we spent together.

“Heisserious about you if he’s moving this fast…” Amanda muses, biting her lip. “I can’t believe he’s been keeping you a secret from me all this time! That’s so typical!”

I nod, hoping she won’t ask anything else if I look at the first store to my right. My stare locks on a pair of black suede boots with gold buckles in the window, but when I search for the price tags, I find none.

Lord help me.

My phone buzzes, and I free myself from Amanda’s hold, turning away to check the message.

I’mnotmissing him, am I? That tug in my chest since we pulled out of the driveway is social anxiety about being with Amanda, isn’t it?

I shove the phone into my bag, trying to stop the ridiculous pitter-patter of my heart.

After a moment, Amanda speaks up again, tone low like she’s telling me a salacious secret. “Was that Cain?”

I purse my lips. “It sure was.”

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