“Lucas.”
She extended her arm for a handshake, and his big, warm hand wrapped around hers, making her feel small and delicate—a decidedly unfamiliar feeling. The guy was just so…solid. The physical spark she hadn’t been feeling with Doug hit her like a goddamned bonfire with Lucas, sending heat straight up her arm. She held on to his hand for a moment too long. “You were really nice to hunt down my shoe. Let me buy you a decaf or something. There’s a place down the…”
Lucas’s lips parted to respond, but her phone’s shrill ring shattered the space between them.
Taryn frowned and looked down. “I’m sorry. Let me…” She dug around in her purse for her phone. She read the screen and heaved a sigh. “I have to take this one.”
Lucas nodded. She moved a few steps away and turned her back. “Hi, Momma.”
“Hey, baby, it’s so good to hear your voice,” her mother said warmly.
“Same here,” Taryn said, keeping her voice down and trying not to sound annoyed at the interruption.
Her mom was quiet a moment. “Where are you? I hear cars.”
Taryn’s shoulders relaxed a little. At least her mom sounded calm. Maybe she was having a good night. “I’m just finishing up some errands in the city. I’m about to drive back home.”
“Taryn, you really shouldn’t be out this late. The roads are wet, and I heard robberies are on the rise downtown,” her mother said, forever coming up with something to worry about.
“I’m safe, Momma. I promise. I have my Mace and my mad ninja moves.”
“Okay,” her mother said, sounding unconvinced and missing the joke. “Call me when you get home and let me know you got there safely.”
Taryn closed her eyes, rubbing the center of her forehead and taking a deep breath. “It’s going to be late. I’ll wake you up.”
“No, you won’t. I won’t be able to sleep until I know you’re safe,” her mom said, a tense tone in her voice. “I had a nightmare this afternoon. Your car went off the road and hit a tree. And, Taryn, if I lose—”
“Momma, it’s fine. I’m sorry. I’ll call, all right?” Taryn tried to keep her voice light and hide the dread that filled her every time conversations took this turn. Nothing like hearing all the ways your mother imagined you dying. “Is Dad home?”
“Yes. He dozed off on the couch watching one of those military shows he likes so much,” her mom said, sounding a little perturbed and more like the mother Taryn knew before everything changed.
“Daddy’s sleeping?” If her mother was having a bad day, she didn’t doubt it. Her father was probably exhausted, and her mother was probably alone now and working herself into an anxiety attack with all her dark thoughts. Taryn checked her watch, inevitability settling onto her shoulders. “Hey, why don’t I stop by before I go home tonight? I’ll make you my famous green tea.”
“Oh, what a good idea. That sounds perfect, baby.” Her mother’s tone perked up. “I’ll see you soon. Be careful.”
Be careful. Of course.
She always was.
But when Taryn turned around to tell Lucas she’d have to get his number and give him a rain check on the coffee, the sidewalk behind her was empty.
Maybe he’d gone back inside for something, but what good would it do to hunt him down? Tonight had been weird and terrifying and exhilarating and strange.
It had also not been her real life.
Taryn turned and left Jamez with a z to die a quick death on the sidewalk. Back to Long Acre. Back to work. Back to reality.
Chapter
Three
Shaw Miller made his coffee order at the counter of the bustling shop and dug a few bills from his wallet. It still felt weird using cash for everything. He could feel the gaze and smile of the cashier on him as he plucked out the money, but he chose not to look up. He would need at least two cups of coffee and a different personality before he was in the mood for small talk.
The pretty redhead took the money and kept her gaze on him. “Hey, have we met before? I don’t think I’ve seen you in here, but you look familiar for some reason.”
He glanced up briefly and tried to appear nonchalant, even though the words sent his gut twisting into a knot. “I don’t think so, but I’ve been told I have one of those faces.”
“Maybe so. Or maybe I was just wishing I’d met you before.” She gave him a sly grin.