Page 62 of Crash
“Oh, yeah, everything’s fine. I’m going to meet Ruth at the cafe.” She bit her lip anxiously, unsure why she neededto tell him her plans when she probably could have just texted him instead.
A part of her wanted to see him before the meeting. Waking up alone for the first time in weeks was disconcerting. She got used to seeing him first thing in the morning. And…she missed him.
“Need me to go with you?” Griffin wiped his hands on a rag as he stepped up to her.
She shook her head and met him halfway. He tossed the rag on the tool bench and reached for her. Quynh melted into his arms, grateful for his embrace.
For a moment, she breathed him in. He smelled of motor oil and grease, but underneath it, he smelled uniquely Griffin. A blend of sandalwood, spice, and musk. A scent she was quickly becoming addicted to. It centered her and calmed her. If only she could bottle his essence and bring it with her everywhere.
“No, I’ll be okay.”I think.
“Call me if you need anything.” He gripped her chin in a firm grasp, tilting her head back so he could look into her eyes. She wasn’t sure what he saw, but whatever it was, it made his mouth tighten. Quynh thought he’d object to her going by herself. Instead, he surprised her by placing a gentle kiss on her lips and patting her butt as if to say, “Get outta here.”
Her lips tilted up in a grin.
Lightness filled her chest, a change fromthe heavy weight Ruth’s text left. It seemed like all she needed was a dose of Griffin to lift her spirits.
The walk to the cafe was uneventful. She waved to the pedestrians as she made her way to Main Street. The town was buzzing with activity as people went about their business. Sundays were a busy day for the otherwise sleepy town.
The bell chimed as she made her way into the cafe. She didn’t see Ruth inside but waved to her favorite barista, Jodie. By the time she made it to the counter, Jodie had already rang her order up. She never thought she’d be one of those people who would be remembered by their order. Back in the city, she brewed her own coffee at home. There was never any time for her to stop at a coffee shop before work. It was a luxury she didn’t have time for.
She would miss this part of her day. There were a lot of things she would miss about Willowbrook. A certain green-eyed, grumpy mechanic flashed through her mind.
Quynh grabbed her coffee and sat at a table in the back. Normally, she would enjoy people watching at the window, but since she didn’t know why Ruth wanted to meet with her, it was probably best if there were no witnesses if it was bad news.
Her gut churned with anxiety. The prospect of meeting with Ruth made her so nervous, even if she wastechnically family. Even if they met under unfortunate circumstances.
The bell chimed again as another guest arrived. Glancing up from her coffee cup, she saw Ruth at the entrance. The glare Ruth shot her way made her want to shrink in her seat. Instead, she took in a calming breath and wrapped her hands around the hot coffee cup. It was too hot to drink, and she was not a fan of burning her tongue.
Ruth marched toward her, each step bringing her closer to Quynh. By the time Ruth plopped down in the seat across from her, Quynh’s palms started sweating.
“Ruth. Good morning.”
“Hmmph.”
The silence between them stretched.
“Listen, Quynh. I don’t want to dance around the issue here, but I need to be upfront with you.”
Quynh waited with bated breath for Ruth’s next words. She gestured for Ruth to continue.
“I know you came all this way hoping to cash in on my dad’s inheritance, but that’s not going to happen.”
Rearing back in shock, Quynh gaped at Ruth’s harsh words, confused at the hostility radiating off the woman sitting across from her.
“I’m not here for…”
“Cut the shit. Everyone in town knows why you’re here.”
Her heart dropped. The heat from her coffee no longer kept her warm. Instead, she was chilled to her bones. Tentatively, she looked around the small cafe, noticing for the first time Jodie and the other customers averted her gaze, pretending they couldn’t hear every single word of the embarrassing exchange.
“Ruth…I-I don’t know what to say.” She fought the urge to sink further in her chair. If only the floor could open up and swallow her whole.
“Say you’re leaving town.” Ruth sat back, arms crossed across her chest. The glare she shot Quynh cut through her like a sharp knife. Any hope she had of getting to know her stepsister was gone like the wind.
“But…”
Her only remaining family didn’t even want her. Heat crept through her, the shame threatening to consume her.
