“Still, be careful,” I tell Shirley, as I watch Gray bend over the back of the couch, picking up the kitten. He’s not even trying and I’m drooling. How sad is that? “Keep your eyes open, Shirl, okay? He’s not gonna get far with us. We’ve got your back.”
Gray’s eyes come to mine and he raises an eyebrow. I shake my head as Shirley starts talking.
“Thanks, that means a lot. I figure with the trial date coming up, he’s panicking.”
“Trial coming up?” I ask, my attention suddenly snapping back to the phone call.
“February third. Gladwin District Courthouse.”
“Shit, that’s right too. I’ll remind Kim. I’m sure she’ll want to be there for you as well. I will for sure.”
“Thank you, Robin. I appreciate you so much.” She sniffles before she adds softly, “Ironic, isn’t it? Working with someone for years and it takes something like this to form a friendship.”
“I know, but we have that now. No use looking back, honey.” I hear her cry softly and my heart goes out to her.
“I’ll let you go. I should give the diner a call.”
I barely have a chance to say goodbye before she hangs up.
“Hi,” I tell Gray, who is still watching me closely.
“Let me try to do this right,” he says almost grunting. “You look very nice tonight.”
“Thank you. As do you.”
“Right.” He flares his nostrils as he sucks in air. “Now what the fuck is going on? That sounded like trouble.”
“Not my trouble, Gray,” I assure him, plucking my kitten from his arms and giving him a little cuddle before dropping him on the couch.
“Why did you say he wouldn’t get far with you? Who are you talking about?” I can feel the tension coming off him.
“Can I tell you over dinner? I’m starving.”
I tilt my head to the side and throw him a small smile. I watch as he seems to gather himself before taking a step toward me, grabbing my hand in his and leading me toward the door. There he helps me into my coat, and I can just snag my purse before he takes my hand in his again and walks me outside to his truck. I noticed he’s cleaned it as he helps me in my seat and leans into the cab.
“Hi,” he whispers, brushing a kiss over my lips.
It’s tentative and sweet, and feels like the very first time.
Gray
It takes everything out of me not to interrogate her about the phone conversation I just overheard.
When I heard her plead with whomever she was talking to for caution and then mentioned something about a trial, the hair on my neck stood on end.
I grind my teeth and rein it in.
“Where are we going?” Robin asks, as I drive out of town.
There’s no snow in the forecast until next week and the road’s clear and quiet. Perfect night for a little drive.
“How do you feel about Chinese food?”
In my peripheral vision I catch her shift in her seat to face me.
“Love it. It’s been ages, though. You have to go to Bay City for any restaurants.”
“Not anymore. New place opened up in Pinconning a couple of months ago.”
“Really? I didn’t know that.”
She sounds pleased, a smile on her lips. So far so good. Finding out about the restaurant had been a stroke of luck. I overheard one of Olson’s customers recommending it to Jimmy last week and made a mental note. It’s been a long time since I’ve had Chinese and I’m fucking elated Robin likes it too.
“That was Shirley by the way, the phone call?” she clarifies. “Waitress at the diner?” I draw a blank and I guess it shows on my face. “I guess you probably missed her at Over Easy. She left a couple of months ago. Anyway, she got away from an abusive marriage.”
I feel the stirrings of my temper flaring at the mention of abuse.
“He beat her?” I grind out through clenched jaws.
“Yes,” she answers before pensively adding, “although abuse has many faces.”
My head swings around to look at her. I wonder if she is referring to herself.
“She charged him?”
“She did. He hurt her badly last time. The cops arrested him and she finally told them everything. Of course he walked out on bail just days later, then disappeared, until last week apparently.”
“Is she safe?”
“Should be.”
She proceeds to tell me about the two grown sons, the phone calls, and Shirley’s concern he might approach someone at the diner. I can see her concern, but I’m only worried about one person.
By the time I pull into the parking lot behind the new restaurant, I’m resolved to make sure Robin stays safe.
We’re led to a table by the window I had reserved. The woman on the phone assured me it wouldn’t be necessary, but I didn’t want to leave anything to chance. Even in my much younger years, I hadn’t ever put thought or energy into wooing a woman, I’d been much too eager to get them into bed. It had been easy, much too easy. It’s all I knew and when I first connected with Robin, it was a natural pattern to fall into.
But this is different. She is different. I was always focused on my own needs and wants. I’m not that secure or selfish anymore, so with Robin it seems important her needs match mine. I want her to choose me and therefore I have to win her.
“This is really lovely,” she says, smiling at me from across the table. “I’m so excited about the food. Too bad I can’t order everything.” She glances over the menu offering way too many choices.
The waitress returns with Robin’s glass of wine and my water.
“Excuse me.” I raise my hand stop her when she starts to leave. “Is it possible to order a variety off the menu in smaller portions? Something we could share?”
“If you look at the back
