Page 27 of Make Me Trust Again
Sighing, I go to the sink and get to work. I crouch down to check out the pipe. The movement has a jab of pain going through my leg, making me grind my teeth. Water is sliding down the plastic in a steady trickle, but I can’t see where the leak is coming from. Cursing under my breath, I get to the ground and slide underneath the sink, turning the flashlight on my phone so I can see better. It takes me a while, but after some probing, I spot where the water is coming from. I take a quick note of what I’ll need to fix it before I push upright.
Determined to avoid people, this time I use the back door to slip out of the café and make my way to the hardware store just in time to catch them before closing. Once I have all the parts I’ll need, it doesn’t take me long to replace the pipe. I make sure everything is working fine before grabbing a towel to wipe my hands and going to the door. I’ll let Rose know I’m done here, and then I’m getting the hell out o?—
“What are you doing here, John?”
My brows pull together at Rose’s sharp tone.
John?
I try to place the name, but come up empty. I tilt my head to the side, so my good ear is closer to the crack in the door.
“I ran into your mother and Kyle at the store, and imagine my surprise when she said she’s taking care of our son because you’re busy working.Here.What the hell, Rose? Working at the café? You’re embarrassing yourself. You’re embarrassingme,” the guy hisses, not even trying to be quiet.
Her ex.
I glance toward the back exit, debating if I should just slip out and give them some privacy, but Shadow’s ears perk up.
Besides, there was just something in the tone of her voice that kept me glued to the spot.
“I don’t see how my place of work has anything to do with you.”
“You’re mywife.”
Shadow shifts, her body brushing against mine. I place my hand on her back, feeling the soft rumble of her lungs as she lets out a warning growl.
“Ex-wife.”
The asshole lifts his hand up, and for a second, I see her flinch; my eyes narrow at the guy. Because what the hell was that?
“Not yet, baby.” He slides his finger under her chin and lifts her head up, his tone turning gentler. “Stop this nonsense, Rose, and come back home. It’s better for all of us.”
“Better foryou,maybe.” Rose shakes her head. “I think you should leave.”
His jaw is set, eyes narrowing in anger, but Rose doesn’t back down. “This isn’t done.”
“This was done a long time ago.”
“We’ll see about that.” He smirks. “I’ll see you this weekend.”
“This weekend?” Her lips part, brows pulling together in confusion, and the asshole grins at her. “Your mom was kind enough to invite me over for a family dinner. How nice was that of her? Contrary to you, she’s trying to make this work. I’ll see you soon,Wife.”
Rose presses her lips into a tight line as she watches her ex leave. Her back is stiff like a board, and her knuckles have lost all the color from how hard she’s squeezing them by her side.
Only once he’s gone does she let her guard down. She uncurls her fingers, running her palm over her face before letting it fall.
I’m not sure what happened between her and her husband to cause the divorce, not that it’s any of my business, but I can’t say I’m surprised either. The guy is clearly a piece of work.
“Dammit,” she mutters, her head ducking.
Her body shakes as she lets out a long breath, her palms resting against the counter.
She seems tired.
Even worse, she seems defeated.
I don’t know why, but something about seeing Rose Hathaway like that unsettles me.
And I’m not sure what to do about it.
