Chapter 10
Loch
I wanted to be the first one here, to be here when she arrived. You never know what this place may trigger, and it wouldn’t be good for her to go through that alone.
I finally reach the block and slow down to catch my breath but pick up my pace again when the SUV pulls to the curb up ahead. I reach the shop just as she steps out of the vehicle.
She may think the “classics” are boring, but she looks beautiful in the black pants and shirt. The wind catches, and the fabric flutters against her skin. Even in flats, she’s sophisticated and just as beautiful as last night.
Focus on why we’re here and not the woman.
Unfortunately, they’re one and the same as her demeanor takes a downturn when she looks at the building ahead. It’s written all over her body language from the lip she’s biting to the way she’s clasping her hands so tightly together as if she’ll fall apart if she doesn’t.
As soon as she sees me, a smile that could light up the skyline breaks through her worries. “Hi,” she says as I approach her.
I give Brady a wave, but I think he’s laughing too hard to notice, making it obvious that he knows I ran to get here. Whatever. Turning to Tuesday, I say, “Good morning. How are you doing?”
“I’m good.” Her eyes leave our surroundings and meet mine briefly. “I think.”
“You sure you’re ready to do this?”
She shrugs as she scans the coffee shop.
Then her eyes go to the wall near the window, and she asks, “That’s where I was attacked?
” When her gaze pivots to me for an answer, I decide right then not to lie to her.
She deserves the truth about the memory she carries forward instead of trying to protect her by creating a prettier picture.
“Yes. You’d just come from inside and took a right. I don’t know if you stopped, or he grabbed you hard enough to make you stop.”
Glancing back over at the brick wall, she says, “He came up behind me.”
As much as I want to fill in the blanks in hopes of bringing back her old life, I don’t know what happened once we parted ways. “Would you like to go inside?”
“Yes,” she says, steeling herself and taking a quick breath before moving forward. She walks with intention toward the door.
I grab the door and hold it. Others bustle in after her, unaware of the pain she’s dealing with. I only get pissed when a guy bumps her from behind and startles her. He turns back to say, “Sorry,” but then jumps into the line to cut her off.
Yeah, real fucking sorry. Asshole.
Tuesday steps back out of the busyness of the line and looks around. Her eyes widen like she’s seeing the wizard behind the curtain for the first time, but then her shoulders slack as she takes in the space. “It’s not that big.”
“No,” I reply. “When I walked in, you were at the register. I was back here at the end of the line. I remember you paid cash because the line wasn’t moving while you dug out change from the bottom of your bag.”
Covering her eyes with her hand, she drops her head. “Oh God. I held up everyone?” Straightening her neck, she says, “Sorry.”
“None needed.” I leave out how I mentally called her Miss Handsy for the demonstrative display she put on at the register. Maybe I’m not ready to be one-hundred percent honest . . .
“How did we end up talking?” she asks so innocently.
Now I’m questioning why I ever thought I could be honest with her at all. Fuck.
I shift and look at the line forming a few feet from us. “We just happened to be the last two left.”
A small smile comes into play as she rocks with soft laughter. “Did you speak to me first?”
“Actually—”
“I spoke to you first? Oh no.” Her head falls into her hands. Lifting up, she peeks through her fingers. “What’d I say?”
I’d like to forget that part. “Um . . . Nothing much. We just talked about our coffee orders.”
“Coffee, huh.” Her gaze lands on me, and she licks her lips. Another image to save for later.
“Well, if you want the truth . . .”
“I want the truth.” The words rush from her mouth.
“I think you were hot for me.”
Leaning back, her lips purse. “Really?”
“You didn’t come off like the subtle type.”
Her sigh has me waiting for the rest of her reaction. “Do you think I’m still the subtle type?” You’d think I’d just accused her of stealing Christmas by how she pulls her brows together in confusion.
“I think you’re cautious, which is wise in your circumstance.”
“I agree with that analysis. Thank you, Dr. Westcott.”
“My pleasure.”
She nudges me playfully with her elbow just before turning her attention toward the front counter. “All of the employees working that day have been questioned as possible witnesses. Does anyone look familiar?”
I recognize the kid manning the steam machine. “The guy in the corner, red hair. He was the first one to call 911. He also came outside to check on you.”
Tuesday moves between the few tables that fit inside the shop, heading for the barista. I follow, giving her the time and space she needs to maneuver not only through the small shop but also through her emotions.
I pull out my phone to make use of the time but decide that’s not why I’m here.
Then I realize what I’m missing.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
I sigh, letting anger boil in my blood.
“Everything all right?” she asks, sneaking up on me. I guess it’s not really sneaking just because I wasn’t paying attention since she walked right up.
“I forgot my briefcase at my apartment this morning.” I run my fingers through my hair. “I was running late, and I have a meeting as soon as I walk in the office.” Glancing at the barista, I then look at her. “How’d it go?”
“He shared what I ordered. No wonder it took so long.” It’s cute the way she scrunches her nose.
“It doesn’t even sound good.” She nods toward the door, so we make our way to the exit.
Outside, she continues, “He doesn’t know anything else other than their corporate office has to approve the release of the footage. That seems to be the holdup.”
Horns blare, the sidewalks are packed, and the sun finally appears. She shakes her head, and says, “I don’t think their footage will be any better. So this crime might just go unsolved.”
Moving us out of the foot traffic of the shop, I ask, “Is anything familiar or—”
“No. I could be anywhere, and I’d feel just as lost.” She exhales, her body deflating. Her eyes are still so brilliant, but I can see the clouds moving in. “I appreciate you being here, Loch, but I know you need to go. It’s okay. I’ll find my way back.”
“No, the SUV is yours to use.” Leaning in conspiratorially, I chuckle. “I think Brady prefers you anyway.”
“Let me do something for you.”
“What’s that?”
“You go to work, and I’ll retrieve your briefcase. I have nothing, literally, nothing else to do today and the waiting is killing me. This will keep me busy just for a bit, and it will help you out. What do you say?”
I’ll need to shower and change at the office, which I won’t have time to do if I go home for the briefcase. But I can’t make her run an errand for me. “I can’t ask—”
“Right. You don’t even have to ask. I’m volunteering for the job.”
Hm . . . “It would be a huge help.”
She smacks her palms to my chest. “It’s decided then.”
I suppose it is. “Thanks.”
“Least I can do.” We walk toward the Escalade.
“The office is a few blocks away. It will be quicker if I head there while Brady drives you to my place. The doorman will give you a key. You can run up, grab it, and Brady will get you to my office.”
“Sounds like a plan. Where is the briefcase?”
“Right by the door.” I walk her to the SUV and help her inside. “You won’t miss it.”
Saluting me, she laughs. “I’ve got my orders, and I’m off.”
“I’ll call the doorman to let you in.” When I close the door, she rolls down the window. I back up from the curb and stand there.
She rests her elbow out the window, enjoying this a little too much by the grin on her face. “This has nothing to do with anything, but I like your hair a little messier. You should wear it like that more often.”
Not having time to style it in place, I only ran my fingers through it before leaving. I try to catch my reflection in the shiny exterior of the vehicle, but it starts moving before I do.
“Hey, Westcott?” she calls back to me.
I smirk. “Yeah?”
“You didn’t disappoint.”
I burst out laughing. She plays a solid word game.
But I already know when it comes to this woman, I’m definitely in trouble.