“Bob was here last night—waiting for me.” She opened the canister of coffee and inhaled the aroma before scooping out a couple of spoonfuls. She’d started the ritual the first time she could afford to buy good beans. “He was in one of his moods, but he said the studio called, and I’ve got an appointment this week.”
“Remi saw that asshole there and left anyway?”
“She never saw him. She’s not like that.”
“It doesn’t matter what’s she’s like. You need to be more careful. One of these days Bob’s going to really hurt you trying to prove how far he can push you, and then he’ll just move on to the next person he can exploit.”
“We don’t have a choice, Kristen. If Bob makes good on his promises, what happens to you?” She poured a cup of coffee and sat on a stool at the counter.
“I don’t care about me. I want you to walk away. We have enough to live normal lives and don’t need something glamorous. That’s not who we are.”
“Honey, it’s not that simple. I’ve done a lot I’m not proud of, but humiliation never killed anyone. If I’m serving twenty to life and have to leave you all alone, that would kill me, but the jail time wouldn’t bother me. I’ve hidden you as much as I can, but I can’t guarantee that someone like Bob won’t find you.” The buzzer for the gate cut her off and she came close to ignoring it. “Hold on, somebody’s here.”
“If it’s Bob, tell him to go to hell.”
Dallas laughed as she reached the intercom by the back door. “Can I help you?” she asked.
“I wanted to see if you were free for breakfast,” Remi said as a greeting.
She’d been depressed because Remi had left, but now a sense of panic seized her. Last night’s wrinkled outfit and running makeup spelled a troubled woman, and Remi wouldn’t be attracted to that kind of person.
“Dallas?” Remi’s voice came through again.
“Go open the door and say yes,” Kristen said.
“I’m not looking too good,” Dallas said, feeling disgusted with herself.
Kristen said jokingly, “Even if you slept in pig slop, you’re beautiful. It’s your curse, so learn to deal with it. I’m hanging up so let her in, make her wait while you shower, and go out for pancakes. And call me when you get back.”
“I love you.” Dallas gripped the phone, wanting to hang on as long as she could.
“I love you too, and it’s time you took a chance on being happy. Whether it’s Remi or not, you need to open your heart to someone other than me.”
“Thanks, and I’ll call you later.” She took another sip of coffee, more as a delay tactic than needing the caffeine, before she walked outside to the gate. “Good morning,” she said, opening the gate a little.
“Good—” was the only word Remi got out before she stepped forward and put her arms around Dallas.
“I wasn’t expecting you,” Dallas said. She kept her arms tense, like she didn’t want to get too comfortable against Remi’s chest.
“My meeting wasn’t as long as I thought.” Remi held her a little apart from her so she could see Dallas’s face. Most of her makeup had been wiped away during what looked like a bout of crying. The blue eyes were rimmed in red and Dallas appeared tired. “Is everything okay?” She ran her thumbs along Dallas’s cheeks and stopped breathing for a moment when Dallas started crying. “Hey, it’s going to be all right.”
Remi held her, hoping Dallas would calm down, but when she only cried harder Remi picked her up and carried her to the chair Dallas used to sit in and read. With Dallas sitting on her lap, Remi held her until the outburst burned itself out.
“You must think I’m a nutcase,” Dallas said, her voice raw.
“I deal with nutcases all the time, and you’re not even close.” Remi leaned back when Dallas snuggled closer. “Want to tell me what’s wrong?” She wiped away the wetness on Dallas’s face.
“Just fighting old demons,” Dallas said, then shook her head as if anything else she was thinking of saying died in her throat.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, but I’ve probably faced worse nightmares than whatever haunts you. We haven’t known each other long, but if you need me, I’ll be happy to help you carry that heavy load.”
“I know you would.” Dallas put her hand behind Remi’s neck and kissed her cheek. “But this is something I…I have to deal with myself.”
“Like I said, no pressure, but let me at least try to take your mind off it by treating you to breakfast.”
“Just the two of us?”
“I gave Simon the rest of the day off, so it’s just you and me.” Dallas finally smiled at her fully and started to move off her. When Dallas stood in front of her with the sun shining above her, Remi noticed her arm—a complete set of fingers outlined in a vivid bruise on Dallas’s right bicep. “Who did that?” Remi asked, consumed with tempered rage.
“I had a little disagreement, but it’s nothing,” Dallas said, her words rapid and nervous sounding.
“Anything that leave that kind of marks isn’t nothing, Dallas.” Remi stood and held one of Dallas’s hands. “Who did that to you?”
“It was Bob, but really, it’s okay.”
“Did he hurt you in any other way?”
“Please, Remi, forget it. You may not understand certain things, but I can’t afford to change them right now.”
