Packing Up Love (Insta Love Shy Girl Romance 2)

“Claire,” I said softly, turning to her. “Are you alright?” She nodded, trembling. “Could you please go inside and turn away from the windows for a moment?” She nodded again, scurrying away.

I waited until the door closed behind her, then roughly scraped my boot across Kyle’s throat as if I were cleaning mud from it. Then I picked him up by the lapels, dragging him to the back of the building where I slammed him against the wall.

He looked dazed, but his eyes still narrowed. “This is assault. I could–”

“I could make you disappear,” I said, hearing pure ice creep into my voice. “I have friends who don’t ask questions. I have your home address. I have your license plate number.” I rattled off it off, along with his work address, and the name and private number of his boss.

Kyle’s mouth fell open, and he actually began to quake.

“I don’t want to be like this,” I said flatly. “I really don’t. I want you to fuck off and never speak to Claire again. Never contact her in any way. I told you this once, and you didn’t listen. I’m only giving you a second chance out of respect for her. You know you don’t deserve a woman like that.”

He started to say something, and I slapped him so hard he’d have my hand-print clear across his face tomorrow. I thought that might look charming at his office. “You don’t get to speak. I’ll allow you to nod. Do you agree to stay away from her forever?”

Kyle swallowed hard, then nodded solemnly.

“You understand the depth and precision of what might happen if I need to deal with you again?” His eyes were so huge it was almost comical. He nodded again.

“Run,”

I growled, and he took off like a shot down the street. I’m sure it didn’t speak well of me that I hoped he’d break an ankle or snap a knee on the way.

Taking a deep breath to clear the rage from my system, I went into the coffee shop, where Claire was leaning against the wall near the washrooms. I held out my hand. “May I walk you home?”

Her bottom lip trembled, and I hated how nervous she was. “You aren’t mad at me?”

“No, honey. Not mad. Concerned. Confused. But I could never be angry with you.”

She took my hand and I led her outside, then wrapped an arm around her as we began to walk. “Shh, it’s okay now,” I murmured, feeling her tense shoulders. “It’s all over. He’s never going to come near you again.”

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“Why were you with him?” I asked as gently as possible. She cringed, and I stopped, turning to face her. “Take your time. It’s okay, really.”

“I’m sorry.” She was trembling like a terrified little sparrow. “He said he had some of my grandmother’s photos, and that I had to get them.”

Her bottom lip was quivering and I realized that no matter what I said, I might make her cry. I couldn’t stand that. But I had no choice. I took a few deep breaths, trying to clear out the frustration.

“Why didn’t you call me? Or text me to tell me what was happening?” I asked softly. “You know I would have come with you.”

“You didn’t answer my text. Then I didn’t want to bother you.”

I shook my head, feeling like I’d failed her. “I’m so sorry, baby. I was writing an exam today. My phone was at the bottom of my knapsack. I’ll always keep it on me now, okay? And I’ll get one of those battery packs tomorrow so that I’ll always have it charged.”

Claire looked up at me strangely. “Why didn’t you tell me you were in university?”

I shrugged. “It didn’t come up yet. I wouldn’t keep anything from you. Ask me anything.”

She hesitated. “Who is Lindsay?”

Her eyes widened in shock as I burst out laughing. “Sorry, honey. She’s a girl I went out with for about a month. She was flighty. Ditzy. And mean – I couldn’t believe the things she’d say about people. I broke up with her as soon as I heard her speak like that.”

Reaching out my hand, I was relieved and hopeful when she took it. “Claire, it kills me that Kyle was cruel to you. You deserve so much better. Look at you – you’re enchanting. You’re a dream. I can’t stop thinking about you. I was on my way to your work to beg you to come to dinner with me. I was going to try to be friends with you until you were ready to date again.”

“Wow,” she breathed. “You’d really do that for me?”

Pulling her hand gently, I slid us closer together. “I would, if I have to. But Claire, I know that you feel what we have. What we are. You’re scared, and I understand that. I’m trying to think of a compromise.”

Her face crumbled, and I could see the tears starting to well up in her eyes.