Spring Secrets - Allie Boniface Page 0,23
girls’ names tattooed on his arm, and each one’s crossed out except for the newest one.”
He shook his head. “Just one name. My mom’s.” He touched his chest above his heart. “Right here. It’s bad luck to put anyone’s name on your skin except your mother or your child.” He paused. “Can’t trust that other people are going to stick around.”
She took a deep breath and decided to ask. “How did you end up going out west?”
Their entrees arrived, saving him from answering, Sienna thought, but she didn’t push it. They ate in silence for a few minutes. The pot roast melted in her mouth, and she closed her eyes to savor it.
“I needed a change,” he finally said. “I dropped out of high school.” His cheeks colored, and he didn’t look at her as he spoke. “You probably heard that. I wasn’t good at school, and I pretty much hated being there. My mom tried to fight me on it, but I was done after junior year.”
School isn’t for everyone, she wanted to say, but the words sounded small and cliched. She let him continue.
“A buddy of mine needed help doing construction work, so I hitched my way out and lived in San Diego for a few years. Then I moved to Los Angeles. For a woman.” A bitter laugh left his lips. “Stupidest decision I could have made.”
Well, that explained a few things. Sienna kept her eyes on her pot roast. “I’m sorry. Relationships can be damaging, especially when they don’t work out.”
“That’s one way of putting it.”
“But the gym seems like it’s doing well.”
He finished his dinner, set his fork and knife on his plate and pushed it back. “It is. I’m so thankful for that, I can’t even tell you. Took a big risk with it.”
“It’s great. Seriously, it’s a really nice place. So much better than the Y in Silver Valley.”
“Ah, now you’re just trying to butter me up.” He sipped his beer. “I’m sorry. I’ve got a lot of shit in my past, that’s all. Made some stupid decisions and I’m trying not to repeat them.”
She finished her meal. “I think that comes with being human.”
“Is there anyone you don’t like? Anyone you’re not incredibly nice to?”
She blinked. “Meaning what?”
“You’re nice to everyone. At least from what I can see. You never look mad, or upset, or tired, or...anything. And you always find something kind to say. Even to an obvious screw-up like me.”
“Well, first of all, I don’t see you as a screw-up.” She shrugged. “There are people I don’t like, sure. But I guess I haven’t really been hurt by anyone yet. Not in that awful, down-deep, never-going-to-trust someone again way.”
“You’re lucky. I hope you never are.”
Josie swung by and cleared their table. “Dessert? Coffee?”
“I’d love some coffee,” Dash said. “Regular.”
“Decaf for me.”
“You got it.”
“So tell me about this London gig,” Dash said after Josie brought their coffee. “When, where, how, all that good stuff.”
She wrapped her hands around her mug and realized she had no idea how many other people sat around them now, or who had come and gone since they’d arrived. Usually she loved people-watching. Tonight it didn’t matter who else sat around them. He’s good company. “Max convinced me to apply.”
“Maxine? The one who lives with Nate Hunter?”
She nodded. “We’ve been best friends forever. She got the award too, but she’s already over there.”
“Will you live with her?”
“No, but that’s because Nate and his daughter will be there. They’re leaving in a few days.”
Dash’s eyes widened. “That’s a big deal. Pulling up a lot of stakes.”
“You pulled up stakes when you moved west.”
“True.”
“Anyway, I’ll have a job teaching at a private preschool outside of London.”
“For how long?”
Was he simply curious, or would he miss her when she left? “One year.”
“Wow. Sounds like a great opportunity.”
“It is.” She picked at a cuticle. “Can I tell you something, though?”
“Sure.”
“I’m kind of a little scared.”
He leaned back in his chair and put one hand on his heart. “The magnificent Sienna Cruz, slayer of self-defense courses, teacher of the mute, smarter than anyone else I know, is scared?”
“Shut up.” But she smiled at his reaction. “I’ve never been on a plane.”
He dismissed her confession with a wave. “Ah, it’s nothing.”
“You have been?”
“Once. When I came back here.” His smile dimmed. “Anyway, there’s nothing to be scared of. They say flying is the safest form of travel.”
“I always wonder, who’s that mysterious they people quote when they say things like that?”
He chuckled. “I