Except he was. Every time he chased the high instead of getting help like Marisa begged him to do. But none of that mattered now. “I’m so sorry you lost him.”
We were both members of a club neither of us applied to join. And it was the last thing I wanted for her.
Marisa’s eyes flashed. “Stop placating me.”
“I’m not—”
“You don’t know the first thing about Scott.”
Maybe I didn’t. Maybe none of us knew each other as well as we thought we did. “Okay.”
“Okay?”
“I’m not going to sit here and argue with you. I don’t know what happened. All I know is that we’ve lost four friends.Four.I don’t want to lose another. I want us to watch our backs. And if we can, be there for one another.”
Marisa turned to stare at my photograph propped up against the wall. The one of the older man with grief etched onto his face. “I think it’s too late. We’re different people than we were then. I don’t even know you.”
“You could.” I stretched out a hand. “I’m Laiken.”
Marisa stared down at my hand for a few long beats before stepping away. Tears filled her eyes. “I’m sorry. I can’t. It’s too hard.”
And with that, she vanished out the back door—just like all the people I’d lost before her.
23
Boden
I pulledinto a parking spot in front of The Gallery. Turning off the engine, I sat there for a moment, just watching. Laiken was talking to a couple I didn’t recognize. A smile curved her lips, but there was something false about it. Even a dozen yards away, I could read the lines of strain bracketing her mouth. I couldn’t tell if they were there from physical pain or emotional.
The couple shook Laiken’s hand and exited the gallery as I climbed out of my truck. I double-checked to make sure the window was cracked, but Peaches didn’t stir when I shut my door, just kept snoring away. My gaze tracked Laiken as I moved towards the door.
She turned as the bell sounded, a forced smile on her face. It melted away the second she saw me. That small action eased something in me. Laiken wasn’t pretending around me anymore.
I crossed the space, my boots echoing on the polished cement floor. I pulled her into my arms. “What’s wrong?”
“Long day. A friend who was in the accident with me showed up. It wasn’t the easiest conversation. A lot of things to get sorted before the next opening. Patrons coming in. I’m just so tired.” Laiken tipped forward, letting her head fall against my chest.
She was leaning. Reaching out. Seeking comfort. It felt so damn good. And I hoped I didn’t ruin it by what I was about to say next. “Can you pack a bag?”
Laiken straightened, blinking a few times. “To spend the night?”
“I got a line on a cabin we can use for a few days. It’s high up in the mountains. I think it’ll be a great place to unplug, take some photos, relax.”
“I have to work—”
“I talked to Gilly and Addie. They can cover for you.”
Her mouth fell open. “You talked to Gilly and Addie?”
The corner of my mouth kicked up. “I do know how to use a phone.”
Laiken scowled at me. “That’s not what I meant. You know, you’re very pushy.”
I nuzzled the side of her neck, breathing in the scent that was only Laiken’s. “Not pushy. I go after what I want.”
“Spoiled.”
I grinned against her neck. “Maybe a little.”