Libby smiled. “So, how did you get mixed up with the mob?”
I laughed. “Well, that is a long story.”
“I’ve got time.”
I took a deep breath and told her the whole story. She listened patiently and really tuned in to the key aspects of it all. After I was finished I felt like Libby had a much more solid understanding of who I am and what I do.
“I still pinch myself every day,” Libby said. “I wake up and wonder how I ever allowed myself to do something so utterly stupid as to get mixed up in all of this. And I’ve forgiven myself a zillion times, but I still can’t stop asking myself that question.”
“Well, I think we are designed to avoid danger and when we don’t see the signs of danger until it is too late, our mind is relentless in making sure we don’t miss those signs again. So, I think you just need to continue forgiving yourself and eventually, it will smooth over.”
“I hope so,” Libby said. “Listen, I want to thank you for everything you’ve done.”
I nodded. “It’s the least I can do, especially after I almost got you killed.”
“I’m not sure you did; it was pretty inevitable. At least now we have an actual issue to deal with and I’m not alone anymore. That’s been the worst part, knowing that no one has my back, that I can’t rely on anyone for help. I don’t feel alone in the fight anymore.”
“You aren’t alone,” I said. “Not at all. I just wish you’d brought me in sooner.”
“Well, that’s on me. I tend to be a bit closed off. I’ve always had trouble opening up to people,” Libby said.
“I can see that,” I replied. “I used to be more that way, but over the years I’ve come to understand that the universe will send help your way when you need it, but you have to put it out there. You have to ask for it and tell the world that you are hurting.”
Libby took a drink and then leaned back in the chair, slinging her arm over it. She looked exhausted, but so beautiful. My gaze lingered on her longer than it should have. I couldn’t help it.
She locked eyes with me and then straightened up a little, as if she’d noticed the way I was looking at her.
Damn. I didn’t want to creep her out or make my intentions known. The last thing she needed right now was to know that I had the hots for her. That would have made her staying with me a bit more awkward than it should have been.
I quickly looked away and took a drink of my own beer, hoping somehow this small gesture would alleviate the tension I had just created. Now, I was aware that there was a bit of an awkward silence. My mind raced quickly trying to think of some way to cover it up.
“So, what prompted the move out here?” I asked. “You aren’t originally from here, right?”
“No, I’m actually from northern California, about an hour north of Sacramento.”
“Wow, that is a ways off. Guess, you got tired of the people down south getting all the good weather?” I teased.
She smiled. “Yeah, something like that. Actually, I think I was ready for a fresh start, a new change, and some new challenges. I could just see myself being stuck up there and working somewhere, seeing all of the same people I’d known since high school who had either stayed put, or were coming back from college. I just wanted something new. I’d lived that life and I knew there was more to life.”
“I can see that,” I said. “How did you decide on San Diego?”
“It was kind of random,” Libby replied. “I was originally thinking of going over to Tucson, but then my car broke down just outside of San Diego. It was going to take a few days to get the part I needed, so I had to stay in a hotel for a few days. And during those few days I just fell in love with the area. So, I decided I would stay a bit. And that’s been two years.”
“I love how everyone has a unique story,” I said. “I mean, most people don’t really notice it, but if you really press them or you just ask the right questions, so many of them will get excited and tell you exactly where they are from, why they are here, and what they plan to do next. It’s almost always a different story. I find it interesting.”
Libby chuckled. “So, is that your next project? Are you going to become a dedicated researcher and biographer?”
I thought a moment. I knew she was teasing, but it was something I’d given some thought to. “I’m actually planning to get farther into the publishing business. I was thinking of opening up a publishing house that catered to the everyday person’s journey and story. I want to hire some ghostwriters and really help people flesh these stories out.”