Page 37 of Mine to Love
“I don’t buy that for one second.” She poked him in the chest. “You’re one of the smartest, most insightful men I know.”
“Ouch.” He rubbed his pec and narrowed his stare. “It’s the truth. I don’t always see where people are going with things. It’s a processing issue.”
“Bullshit.” She folded her arms. “Don’t hide behind your learning disability for this one. Now I’m stuck having to be honest when I’m not ready. This isn’t only about Gabriel. But about me. I don’t want to relive this shit. I just want to move forward with my life.”
“So does Gabriel, but he doesn’t understand why he can’t be friends with Charlie.” He pressed his finger over Liberty’s lips when she opened her mouth. “After I told him about my parents, he was struck with the concept that they were still friends. That we all still got together as a family. Or how Emmett was still friendly with Melinda, even though their engagement ended kind of badly. Even I’m friends with some of my exes. All he wants is to understand this restraining order. I’m sorry that Ioverstepped, but I honestly didn’t realize that’s where he was going.”
“What you fail to grasp is what this does to me. There are things I don’t want him to know. Things I don’t want anyone to know. It’s not worth going through the pain, but now you’ve left me no choice.” She glanced over her shoulder before giving her attention back to him. “Don’t meddle again. I don’t care if you mean well or not. This is my life, not yours.” She turned on her heel and marched back inside, closing the door.
Click.
Locked.
Damn.
He pulled out his cell.
Miles:Do you have time to meet me at the café for a cup of coffee and a chat?
Emmerson:I’m picking up Rumor shortly, so sure. But I don’t have much time.
Miles:Understand. See you soon.
He tucked his phone into his back pocket and meandered between the houses and down the street toward the center of town. The café was only a few blocks away and even at a slow pace, he’d be there in fifteen minutes.
As he passed Lucky’s Bar and Grill, he noticed Charlie’s fancy sports car in the parking lot. He paused for a second, contemplating going in and giving that man a piece of his mind.
Or maybe a fist sandwich.
He double-timed it to the café. Getting into an altercation with Charlie wouldn’t do anyone any favors. But he did quickly send a text to every member of his family that Charlie was back in town. He also texted Liberty, letting her know too.
No response.
Deep in conversation, probably.
God, he hoped that went well.
Miles strolled into the Safe Harbor Café and waved to his sister-in-law Rumor, who raced from behind the counter to greet him with her arms wide open.
The woman was a breath of fresh air and the best damn thing that had ever happened to Emmerson. She might have blown through town with drug dealers on her tail and a boatload of secrets. But she landed right where she needed to be and stole Emmerson’s heart and soul. Miles loved sitting back and watching it happen. He knew the second he saw Emmerson with Rumor that his brother was going to marry that girl. So did everyone in his family, even if Emmerson fought it tooth and nail.
“Hey, good-looking.” She hugged him and kissed his cheek. “What are you doing here? I thought you were having dinner over at Liberty’s tonight.” Her face paled a little as she placed her hand over her stomach.
“Just finished,” he said. “But she and her brother have some things they need to discuss, without me hanging around.”
“Uh-oh. You sound a little bitter about that.”
“I’m not bitter,” he said. “Just feeling a little sheepish since I might have meddled where I don’t belong and now she’s pissed.”
“Want to talk about it?” She waved her hand toward the counter.
“I’m actually meeting your husband here in a few minutes.” He pointed to the corner booth. “Mind if we sit over there?”
“It’s all yours. Can I get you a drink to start?”
“Bourbon on the rocks.” He curled his fingers around her forearm. “Are you okay? You look like a ghost.”
“Just tired. Doc said first trimester could be like that.” She smiled. “I’ll bring that drink right out.”
