just as she was ready to start her car to leave, the front door opened again. This time, she watched as Torin stepped out—alone—and turned to lock the front door, then pull down the security grate, locking it as well. He turned toward the door that led to his apartment, and she quickly hopped out of her car and jogged toward him before she lost her nerve.
10
Fast-approaching footsteps had Torin swing around, his posture defensive.
“It’s only me. Erin.”
His eyes widened at the sight of her running toward him, and his body reacted instantly, reaching out to take her arms as she stopped in front of him. Gaze searching over her from head to toe, he asked, “Are you okay? Is everything all right?”
“Yes, yes. Everything’s fine.”
Her face was cast in shadows from the above streetlight, but he could see thoughts moving through her eyes. Stunned to see her this late at night, he waited to see what she was going to say.
“I just… well, I just wanted to see you.” Swallowing deeply, she continued, “I know I shouldn’t have without calling first, and maybe… um… you have plans with someone—”
“I’ve got no plans, and Erin, you can come anytime you want.” He watched relief spread across her face and slid his hand to her lower back as he turned toward his door. “Come on, let’s go in.” He guided her inside, and they walked up the stairs to his apartment. Entering, he tossed his keys onto a small table by the door, then turned to her. “Can I get you something to drink? Some water?”
She shook her head, her silky hair swinging with the movement. He reached up and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Would you like to sit?” At her nod, he led her to the sofa where they sat together with little space between them. Both twisted so their bodies faced each other. His hand rested along the back cushion, his fingers very close to her shoulder. “I’m here for whatever you need, Erin.”
“I talked to my family tonight. I hadn’t really planned on it, but it just came out.” She squeezed her eyes closed, scrunching her nose, and gave her head a little shake.
“There’s a lot there, isn’t there, Erin?”
She opened her eyes and pinned him with a heavy stare, nodding slowly. After a moment, she asked, “Where were you stationed in Afghanistan?”
Her question surprised him, but he blanked his face, not wanting her to feel self-conscious about asking him anything. “Kandahar and then Bagram. Only for one tour, then I was back in the States. I got out four years ago, came back, and have been at the Cock ever since.” He waited, giving her plenty of time to speak. He wanted to know everything. Every little detail about what made Erin so fascinating. He knew her brothers fairly well, knew a little about her sisters, and had once even met her parents when they came into the pub for a celebration drink when Sean made detective. He knew Erin as a runner, athletic and dedicated, not afraid of hard work, but he’d never tapped into what caused the haunted specter in her beautiful blue eyes. So, if she needed time to talk, he was going to give it to her.
She sighed, her gaze focused down on her hands in her lap. After a moment, she lifted her chin so that she held his gaze. “Did you know anyone who died over there?”
He hadn’t had any buddies that were killed while serving but knew a few from when he was in basic training that had gone on to other MOS schools. But it wasn’t uncommon. A convoy hitting an IED. Insurgents ambushing. As these thoughts ran through his mind, it hit him why she was asking. She was fuckin’ there. As a medic.
“I can tell by the expression on your face that you know what I’m talking about. Yes, I was working at the hospital there. One day in particular when there was a huge number of casualties coming in.”
“I can’t imagine you having to do that job.”
She nodded and rolled her lips inward, pressing them tightly. She continued to hold his gaze for another long moment. “I got out soon after and struggled with PTSD… mostly nightmares and anxiety. It was hard to make big decisions. Sometimes it was hard to want to leave my room. I had never told my family about that time, but of course, they knew I