Conceal

She’s facing me now, and her eyes look wild. She resembles a caged animal, trapped against its will.

I hold my hands up, trying to pacify her. “It’s me,” I coo, lowering my voice so as not to spook her. She narrows her gaze but doesn’t speak, so I try again. “Are you okay?” I ask softly, my concern clear in my tone, and to show I am no threat, I keep my hands lifted in the air as I step backward, letting the distance between us grow.

“Of course, I’m okay,” she fires back. Her posture becomes rigid, her arms crossing in front of her chest in defiance, but I see how her body trembled before she noticed. She’s anything but okay, but she’s too strong to let me know that.

To allow me to see her weakness.

I respect her strength and her determination, but I’m not just anyone. I’m well equipped in reading people, and I know something is up with her. But like any caged animal, I proceed with caution, not wanting to anger her anymore.

“I’m sorry if I upset you,” I say.

“You didn’t upset me.”

“Startled you then. It wasn’t my intention.”

“Walking up behind someone will do that,” she quips. She doesn’t like me, that much is obvious. That, however, won’t stop me from trying to understand her.

“I wanted to use the bathroom,” I say as an excuse. She narrows her eyes, obviously not buying what I’m selling.

“No, you didn’t.”

“No.” I smile because she reads right through me, and I like it. “I didn’t. But I wanted to find you.”

“Why?” she asks.

“To say I’m sorry.” I shrug.

“Sorry for what? You didn’t do anything wrong.” She’s looking at me like I’m crazy, and the truth is, if I were in her position, I would think I’m crazy too.

Here I am apologizing when she stole my money.

Maybe she’s right. Maybe I am insane.

“My brother would say otherwise.” I grin. “I like to tease people, but I’m trying to be more serious. I’m sorry if—” I stop, and I’m not sure what to say at this point because I’m sorry for upsetting her, but after what she did, who am I to apologize.

“Again, you did nothing wrong, so you don’t have to say anything. It’s me—”

I lift my hand and shake my head.

“Here,” I say as I reach into my pocket. I pull out my card and hold it toward her. Her forehead scrunches, and her cheeks pucker in. She looks down at my hand as if I’m holding a weapon. Something I’d wield to kill her. How wrong she is.

“What’s this for?”

“Well, this is a business card.”

Her gaze lifts to meet mine, a question there. She wants more information before she takes it.

“My business card,” I clarify.

“Why are you giving me this?”

“It’s obvious you had your reasons.” I don’t specify what I’m talking about, but we both know. It’s the giant elephant in the hallway. “So I’m giving you this.”

“For what reason?” she asks.

I think about telling her not to pay me back, that the money doesn’t matter to me.

I respond, “If you ever need anything.”

“You don’t know me. Why would you want to have anything to do with me?”

I’m not sure why either. I’m mystified by my reaction to her as well. “Everyone needs help sometimes.”

“I won’t be taking help from you. But I will take this. And I will pay you back. I’m not the type to steal.”

“I’m sure you’re not.”

“My car ran out of gas, and I forgot my money at home.”

“Honestly, you don’t have to explain. Let’s call it paying it forward. I paid it forward, and now it’s your turn. I don’t want you to pay me back. I want you to one day help someone, and we’ll be square.”

“Okay. I don’t need this.” She lifts her hand and holds out the card for me to take.

I shoo her hand away. “No. I don’t want it. Keep it.”

“I won’t use it.”

“Then don’t.” I smirk, and before she can object or throw the card back in my face, I return to the main room, my smile growing with each step I take.

Maybe she’ll use it or maybe she won’t, but I sure hope she does. Because something about her intrigues me.

But as I take a seat at the table, I realize I never asked her name. Nor do I know anything at all about her.

The ball is now in her court.

Something I hate.

I’ve never let that happen before, and the knowledge that I don’t have control over this girl makes this even more enticing.

It makes me want to know everything, and I plan on finding it all out.

Something tells me, though, it will be harder than I expect.

She’s a fortress I won’t be able to penetrate.

I can’t wait.

Chapter Eight

Willow

Once the night is over, I drive home and drag myself in the door. My feet are killing me, and I’m so tired I’m surprised I can walk.