On My Way - Eve Langlais Page 0,32
your car dies again?” my neighbor asked as he headed for the door with the dead body.
“I’ll make sure she gets there safe.” Darryl stood between me and Jace, blocking our line of sight.
“It’s out of your way,” Jace pointed out.
“I don’t mind.” Spoken with a tuck of his thumbs in his jean loops.
“It’s a waste of gas, especially given what’s happening with our climate.” Jace wasn’t giving up.
“Those twenty clicks ain’t gonna make a difference.” Darryl was pretty much toe to toe with Jace.
It fascinated me to see this male posturing between them. With me as the prize. I don’t think anything like that had ever happened to me before, and it made little sense. How did a woman my age go from a husband who despised everything I’d become to end up with two males ready to throw down over me? The logic escaped me, but one thing became clear; I’d have to step in before they brawled.
“Thanks for fixing the lights,” I said to Jace. “Good night.” Holy crap, I’d chosen between them.
And Darryl knew it by the smug smile tugging his lips.
“Hmmph.” Jace’s last comment before he walked out.
I didn’t wince as the door slammed shut and the bells jingled. His anger seemed misplaced.
As for Darryl, despite being chosen, he played the part of jealous beau and said, “Did you call him, too?”
I shook my head. “No. He just kind of showed up right after I hung up with you.”
“Sure, he did.” Darryl didn’t outright accuse him of anything, but the implication was there.
It raised a valid question. Why had Jace been on the sidewalk this time of night? It wasn’t as if there was anything else in the vicinity. The bookstore across the street closed at seven. There was nothing open on either side. Just me.
It was the night my car caught fire all over again. Jace coming to my rescue and yet not having a satisfactory explanation for being in the right place at the right time.
At least I knew why Darryl appeared. He’d raced to my rescue.
“Thanks for coming,” I said.
“As if I wouldn’t. You sounded frightened on the phone.”
“Just my overactive imagination.” I uttered a false laugh. The reminder of the terror brought attention to the fact that, while warm and contained in a panty liner, I’d slightly peed myself. And talking to Darryl, I really hoped he couldn’t smell it. “Can you give me a second?”
I ran for the rear of the store, more worried about Darryl realizing I had a wee problem than the fact there might be more mice. I flicked on the light before closing myself into the small bathroom where I kept a stash of panty liners. Ever since I’d begun leaking, I’d started wearing them. It saved me the embarrassment of accidentally soaking the crotch of my pants. Once in the supermarket when I sneezed was enough.
It took only a moment to swap out the damp for a dry one. Then another few seconds to wash my hands and splash some water on my face. The cooling drops didn’t help much. I still appeared frazzled with my sloppy bun and dripping curly tendrils. In good news, my cheeks had color and my eyes were bright. I pinched my lips like an article had suggested to plump and redden them before exiting the bathroom. Darryl was looking over the list I’d made of his stuff and left on the counter where I’d eventually process transactions.
“These my things?” he asked, pointing.
“Yes. I’ve itemized them and suggested prices. I meant to drop that off so you could check it over.”
Darryl turned from the list. “No worries. I trust you to figure out a fair price for the stuff. Honestly, anything you can get is better than the nothing I had when it was collecting dust at my place.”
“You should be warned. I’m not an expert. Could be I’m underpricing some of it.” Why, oh, why did I feel a need to denigrate myself? I’d looked up the things online. Watched enough shows and studied enough books to feel I had a vague idea at least. I reminded myself that everyone had to start somewhere.
He shrugged. “Maybe you are. Doesn’t really matter since I’ll never know the difference. I’m just grateful you’re giving me a hand with it.”
The man was too damned nice. And he’d flown to my rescue.
“I really appreciate you coming to help me. How did you get here so quick?” Because he lived at least ten, fifteen