Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 81986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“Are you okay?” Marta asked as we finished wiping the last of the tables.
“Fine.” I couldn’t offer even a ghost of a smile, but I tried for a reassuring tone. “Just worried about the espresso machine.”
“And Worth.” Marta didn’t allow me the dignity of pretending she hadn’t noticed his abrupt exit. Likely, she and George had heard at least part of our conversation.
“That too,” I admitted. There were no secrets in a town this small, which was undoubtedly part of why Worth wanted out. And he’d said he wanted me to come with him, but I couldn’t help but feel rejected. He didn’t see the value in this town, in this coffee shop, and quite possibly in me.
“He’ll be okay.” Marta placed a slim hand on my arm. Worth might be fine, but I had no such faith in my ability to survive him leaving.
“He sure left like a bat out of hell.” George shook his head, spiky hair bouncing.
Marta let out a long-suffering sigh. “George. Way to be helpful.”
“Uh. Sorry.” Cheeks pink, George looked suitably sheepish as he headed for the back door. “Marta, I’ll wait for you outside if you want a ride.”
“Yeah.” Marta darted her gaze around the shop as if nervous to look too long in George’s direction.
“Well, you two certainly seem to be getting along better.” I waited until George had headed to his car to comment on the apparent progression in their friendship. “What changed?”
“He took me to a cat café.” Hands moving restlessly, Marta went beet red.
“He did what?”
“He found a café where you can play with rescue cats.” A little smile danced across Marta’s face. “Said he thought of me when he found it, and he wanted to do something I would like instead of continuing to invite me to his thing of going to big concerts.”
“That was sweet.” I nodded, but my brain spun into overdrive. Had I tried too hard to involve Worth in my things? The coffee shop, church, the house… What did Worth truly want and need? He’d accused me of thinking I knew best, and it was a fair criticism. I’d assumed the town could heal Worth, but what if I was wrong?
“We had an amazing time.” Marta giggled softly. She was adorable happy, and it was easy to see why George was smitten. “And then we went to see some live music at a little restaurant. It was a fun compromise.”
“I’m happy for you.” I managed more of an actual smile for her. Compromise. Had I offered Worth any compromise? In the bedroom, he loved me commanding, but maybe I’d been the wrong kind of bossy outside of bed.
“George also asked what I needed to feel safe.” Marta turned more serious. “That mattered.”
“Oh wow.” I had to steady myself with a hand on the nearby counter. Had I ever thought to ask Worth that? And what if the answer was something I didn’t want to hear? I’d thought he’d been selfish, asking me to go with him when he knew how much I loved my life here, but perhaps I was also guilty of centering myself and my own needs. “Go, George.”
“Maybe he learned something from watching you and Worth.”
“You think so?” Blinking, I pursed my lips. “I’m not feeling especially smart right now.”
“Look at how you protected him from the true-crime stalker chick.” Marta scooped up her purse from behind the counter. “You were fierce. That was awesome.”
“Yeah,” I said weakly. I wasn’t so sure. I hadn’t even given Worth a chance to be the one to speak. I’d been so determined to save him from trouble. Save him from himself, despite knowing full well I couldn’t do that. Worse, I’d acted like only I could rescue him, like he needed me, instead of supporting his efforts to rescue himself.
“Whatever’s going on with you two, you’ll work it out.” Marta gave me another pat on her way to the door. “You guys take care of each other.”
“Oh.” My mouth fell open. I took care of Worth, yes. But how had I missed that he also took care of me? And I certainly hadn’t made it easy on him either. In my efforts to be his savior, I’d put up roadblock after roadblock when he’d attempt to return the favor. Even in bed I doled out his chances to do things for me, never fully relaxing into letting him take care of me.
“Night, Sam.” Marta gave me a little wave before flitting away, undoubtedly eager to get to George. They were cute. And smart.
I was the dumb bunny who had to head home to an empty house. No surprise there. No Buttercup to greet me either. There was a note on the counter in Worth’s scrawl.
Took Buttercup for a drive. Sorry. I wish things could be different. So sorry. I’ll be safe.