Page 54 of Evidence of Secrets

“Is the AC off?”

She nodded. “I thought I’d save some money on electricity if I turned it off when I wasn’t home.”

He took a slow, deep breath and moved toward Laura. “Why don’t you change and get into bed? I’m going to get your suitcase and be right back.”

“Okay.”

The fact that Laura wasn’t arguing with him told Hank she was exhausted. He’d get her suitcase and let her sleep. Then they had to have the talk.

Hank retrieved the suitcase and walked into the still-hot apartment. Fuck this. He turned the AC on, then checked on Laura. She hadn’t changed, just lay on the bed and fell asleep.

He returned to the living room and pulled out his phone to check his messages. One from Hailey asked if everything was all right. He typed yes, and she replied, “Remember what I said.”

Yes, he remembered, but that wasn’t happening. He’d spend the rest of his life convincing Laura that she was meant for him.

Hopefully, there was something on TV he could watch. First, he checked the refrigerator for a cold drink. The hell with a cold drink. There was no food in it. Hank opened the cabinets and found nothing. He closed his eyes and took several gulps of air to release the flames of fury and shame he felt.

When he felt under control, he whipped out his phone and placed a delivery order. Then he turned on the small tabletop TV to find a game.

Hours later, Laura walked into the living room, stopped, and stared.

“You’re still here.”

“Wasn’t going anywhere, sweetheart.” God, she looked beautiful even with the bruises and her hair mussed. Hank wanted to hold her in his arms, but the time wasn’t right yet.

“Thank you for bringing me home, but you didn't have to stay.” She walked into the kitchen. He heard the faucet turn on, a glass clink.

“Would you like a glass of water? I haven’t gone shopping, so I can’t offer you anything else,” Laura asked.

“I’m good. I had lunch a little while ago, and I have a beer I’ve been nursing.” Hank came up behind her. “Why don’t you sit down, and I’ll make you some eggs?”

“Hank, I just said I haven’t gone shopping. There are no eggs.”

He cocked his head. “Are you sure? I could have sworn I saw eggs in the fridge.”

Laura stomped to the fridge, opened the door without looking inside, and glared at him. “Do you see eggs in here? Or anything else?”

“Why yes, I do.”

Laura turned and looked. “How? Where? Did you go out and buy food?”

“No. I had it delivered.”

“Ass.”

If looks could kill, he’d be dead.

“I’d rather be an ass than have you go hungry.”

“I’m a chef. I don’t go hungry. I eat at the bistro when I’m there.” Laura’s voice was getting shrill. “I don’t appreciate you coming here thinking you can buy things for me.”

Hank stepped into her space. “Laura, sweetheart, come sit down. I really need to talk to you and clear the air.”

“And if I don’t want to?”

He shrugged his shoulders. “Then I’ll just sit down, finish watching the game and wait until you do. I have no place to go and no jobs this week. We have—had something going, and I’m not going to let it get away. Please sit down and hear what I have to say.”

“Humph.” She huffed into the small living room and plopped herself in the chair. “Okay. I’m listening.”

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