I blew out a long puff of air. “Ah, okay.”
“I think meeting him in a coffee shop he often frequents is safer than my usual online dating anyway.”
“I guess so,” I admitted.
“Why did you sound so upset?” she asked.
“I, ah, had a bad experience with an online guy. Strangers make me a little nervous now.”
“I’m sorry,” she replied.
“No problem. So, I’ll let you know about Thursday night.”
“Okay. Sounds good.”
She hung up, and my phone buzzed again with a text from Damien.
Damien: Five minutes. Stay inside. I’ll bring an umbrella.
I stood. “You two are sprung. Damien is here.”
They laughed, and Tracey shook her head. “I have two more reports to write up.”
Mike began to stand. “I’ll walk you to the door.”
I shook my head. “I know the way, and I am perfectly safe. Damien is already outside, waiting for me.”
He sat down. “Fine.”
I left the staff room and walked toward the door, noticing how my footsteps echoed in the building. The hallways going off the main one were dark, the rooms all empty. As I passed one hall, a sound came from the darkness, and a chill raced through me. Panic hit me hard even though I knew it was the sound of the plumbing or the building settling. Perfectly logical explanations for a noise I wouldn’t have given a second thought to a couple of weeks ago. Now I jumped at every little noise and shadow. I began to hurry, almost running, bursting through the door outside where Damien stood, umbrella in hand, waiting for me. I barreled into him, and he wrapped his arm around me.
“Raven? What’s wrong?” he asked anxiously.
I shook my head, not wanting him to know how easily frightened I felt. If he suspected, I would have someone glued to me twenty-four hours a day. I lifted my face, smiling. “Just anxious to see your face, handsome. I missed you today.”
His smile was wide. “Is that a fact, Ms. Raven? As it just so happens, I missed you too, so I’m glad to see you.” He captured my lips with his, kissing me deeply.
“You ready to go home?” he asked.
“Your home?” I replied.
He kissed me again. “Feels like home, now that you’re there,” he said, then walked me to the car and waited until I got in. He bent and kissed me again. “You can stay forever if you wanted.”
I had no idea how to reply.
And I had no idea how to tell him forever sounded good.
It was just too soon.
Wasn’t it?
* * *
“You’re jumpy again, Raven,” Damien said after dinner. “Mike said nothing happened today, you said everything is fine, so which one of you isn’t telling me the truth?” He sat back, lifting his wineglass to his lips and taking a sip.
“I am?” I asked, stalling for time.
He lifted one eyebrow, waiting for me to speak.