Page 75 of Crossing Paths
Blinking, Norah wasn’t sure whether she should thank Kenslee for that save, since it was also kind of a kick in the face.
“It’s not good to hold things in though,” Pike offered, taking a drink without looking away from her. “Maybe she wants to vent.”
She felt Dash’s chest move with either a chuckle or a grunt. Knowing him, it was almost certainly a grunt of derision directed at the three in front of her. She glanced up at him, but she couldn’t get any idea of his thoughts from his expression. The arguing pair at the other table was getting loud again, and he was staring in their direction, his usual scowl in place.
“The line at the bar tookforever.” Laken slid back into her seat. Twisting off the cap of a water, she held out the bottle. “Here.”
Norah accepted it, although she gave the cap in Laken’s hand a confused look, unsure why the woman had opened it for her.
Following Norah’s gaze, Laken gave a little laugh and held out the cap. “Sorry. Mom habit. I have a three-year-old, so I’m always opening drinks for her—although that usually involves poking a straw into a juice box.”
Hearing that Laken had a daughter made her seem a bit more human. “What’s her name?” Norah asked, taking a sipof water. It was cold and made her realize how dry her mouth was, and she gave Laken an honestly grateful smile before taking another long drink.
“Isla.” Digging in her bag, she pulled out her phone and held it out so Norah could see the picture on the screen.
“Cute.” It was true. The little girl looked like a miniature, sweeter version of Laken. Norah looked at the other three, Laken having unknowingly gifted her with a conversation topic. “Do any of you have kids?”
“No,” Kenslee said quickly, looking so horrified by the idea that Norah almost laughed.
“Two.” Pike was the next to answer, although he didn’t elaborate. Seeing the grim set of his mouth, Norah decided not to ask.
Carson shook his head. “None that I know of at least.” He laughed as he said it, making Norah stare at him, trying to tell if he was truly joking or if there really was a chance he’d left fatherless mini Carsons all over Colorado.
“Enough about us though,” Laken said before Norah could ask Carson to clarify. “We want to catch up with what’s going on withyou.”
“Not much.” Norah’s brain instantly froze, deleting any ideas for innocuous replies to Laken’s question. The only thing she could think of was Dash, and she had a sudden flash of terror that she’d blurt outwe had sexorDash washed my hair and then we had sexorDash washed my hair and then we had sex and I really liked it.Her fear was so strong she clenched her jaw so none of those words could escape.
“Come on.” It sounded as though Laken was clenching her teeth as well. “You have the most interesting job of all of us…and the most interesting family. You’ve got to have some stories to tell.”
“No.” Relieved she hadn’t allowed anything embarrassing to slip out, Norah was emboldened to continue. “Dash is the one with the interesting job. He owns an MMA gym.”
“Yeah?” Carson sounded intrigued, and Norah gave a sigh of relief as his attention focused on Dash. “You fight?”
Dash gave her a teasing gentle pinch on her hip, most likely for throwing him under the conversational bus. “Used to. Now I just train.”
Norah was surprised he’d answered in actual words, since she expected a glare from him at the most. She realized he’d spoken to take some of the pressure off her, and she melted at the sweetness of that gesture. She gave the hand on her hip a squeeze of thanks.
Carson started talking about his gym, and Pike and Kenslee joined in. Only Laken didn’t contribute to the conversation, instead listening with no sign of irritation. As the minutes ticked by, however, Laken began tapping her perfect nails against her glass. She wasn’t drinking, and Norah wondered if she was the designated driver for the other three, who were tossing their alcohol back freely.
“We still haven’t heard aboutyou, Norah.” Laken interrupted Carson’s literal blow-by-blow story of a boxing match he’d won. “How’s your mom holding up? Is she still living with you?”
Norah was suddenly tired of all the fake smiles and stiltedconversation. Her stomach was beginning to feel queasy, and she was pretty sure it was from all the anxiety this forced socializing had caused. All she wanted was to go home and sleep, preferably with the big guy she was currently leaning against. She took a drink of water, sad to see the bottle was almost empty. There was no chance she was going to endure the crush at the bar to get another, and she doubted Laken would get it for her after what she was about to say.
“I don’t have the necklace,” she stated bluntly. “I don’t know where it is. It’s probably with my mom, but I don’t know where she is either. I can’t help you find it.”
All four froze in place, and despite Norah’s discomfort at being so confrontational, she was fascinated by a glimpse of honest emotion from Laken. Anger, frustration, and—oddly—fear flashed across her face for just a split second before she recovered and plastered on a look of offended innocence.
Dash gripped Norah’s upper arms, giving her a squeeze of support. When she glanced up, she saw his crooked smile, telling her as clearly as words that he was proud of her. It bolstered her, giving her the strength to deal with the instant chorus of denials from the other four. In fact, she ignored them altogether as he leaned down, close enough for his breath to brush her ear.
“Ready to go?”
“Very ready.” A flush of nausea engulfed her, and she felt a bit dizzy. It passed after a few seconds, but it left her exhausted. The thought of bed was even more tempting now.
“You okay?” he asked, his fingers tightening as if he was preparing to hold her up if needed.
“I’m fine.” She would be as soon as she left her current company and the hot, crowded bar. Finishing off her water, she said, “Just let me run to the bathroom, and then we can go.”
“Want me to come with you?” he asked.
