Page 89 of Protect Me
“You want to eavesdrop on this very pivotal conversation with Vik?”
“You bet I do!”
“How about I call you right after?”
She blew a raspberry, then capitulated with exaggerated drama. “Fine. I’ll deal with that.”
I sobered with warm and tender love for her, my sister. “Thanks, Vini. Love you.”
“Love you too—and talk soon!”
Once the call ended, I clutched my phone to my chest. My eyes closed on a long breath. Underneath it all lay a thrumming sense of courage. Vini was right—I needed to do this. Vikram showed signs of interest and wanting to move forward. Better to get it all aired out in the open.
He deserved it, too.
Thoughts of buying sushi popped into my head as I climbed off my bed to change. Sushi had always softened him up, put him in a good mood. He didn’t always pack a lunch, either, so I could take it to him at work. Do it somewhere that wasn’t here, where I could scuttle away to escape just in case.
A text message popped onto my screen as I yanked a pair of jeans on.
Bethany:Great news! I found the perfect little place for you to rent. It’s in your price range, a five minute walk from the shop, and meets all your safety requirements. Want to go check it out later today?
My breath caught.
I shut my phone off, hesitated, then flipped it back on.
Kate:3:00 all right?
Bethany:See you then.
ChapterTwenty-Two
VIKRAM
The Outfitters store held two main things: outdoor goods and time.
The thick timbers were aged, some of the bark peeling. Chinks in the outside had been covered with stain, some places reinforced. Inside, a modern-day air conditioner blasted cool air, and renovations led to a bright ambience. Still, the place smelled like bait and plastic and squeaky new shoes. The type of people that filtered through the store were my kind of people and the work was easy on my recovering leg.
In a word, the job was ideal.
“Oy, Vik!”
Daniel motioned to me from behind the counter, where he stood with a phone pressed to his ear. I stood in the back, near the stand-up paddle boards with a not-very-interested customer. A woman with blonde hair and a gaggle of children stood on the other side of the counter from Daniel. With a wave to acknowledge him, I checked with the browsing customer, then headed over.
My thoughts meandered briefly to Kate, who had still been asleep when I left for work at 9:00. I’d peeked into her room, caught sight of tousled hair on a pillow, blankets tucked up around her shoulders. The urge to kiss her warm neck and snuggle in had haunted me ever since.
I had to stoplookingat her.
But I couldn’t.
My declaration of intent had sobered the air between us. Three times it looked as if Kate would say something significant, but never did. I went to bed, stewing over what it meant when she saidthere’s more . . .
Whatever she had to say, I’d take it.
Kate was worth the work.
The woman at the counter poorly attempted to keep four children close by. A toddler pasted his slimy mouth against the glass display of GPS watches. Another one ducked under a rack of tourist t-shirts that said PINEVILLE: THE ONLY HOME YOU EVER NEED. The other two wailed, pinching each other in what looked like a near-bloody battle. The mother’s hair was pulled away from her face, bedraggled. Old makeup smudged her eyes, and colored chapstick smeared the corners of her mouth.
She glanced up as I closed in with a bright smile. Two steps later, I froze. Her eyes widened. A breathy word escaped her thin lips.
