chapter ten

25 March

Duncan grimaced and glanced at his buddy. Ev was still shaken, no matter how much he insisted he was fine. One bad chord in a night was unusual, three bad chords over two songs was … not Ev. Mike may have been right to try to cancel practice. Duncan had agreed that it wasn’t necessary to cancel; they were both fine, and the distraction should have been helpful. It seemed he was wrong. Ev looked apologetically at Mike when the singer turned to question him, but hadn’t let his eyes move to the other side of the makeshift stage to meet Duncan’s.

He couldn’t blame him. Duncan hadn’t stopped to think about where he was. His gut reaction simply took over. It wasn’t a big thing to him, personally, but Ev hadn’t lived in the streets. He hadn’t grown up with…. A movement caught his attention. Susie; carrying her dance shoes, the lights above casting a warmth about her body as she moved, gracefully … always as a dancer … sliding closer to them. And wearing her dance clothes: long leggings flowing with her curves and a loose T-shirt barely reaching the tops of her thighs. He struggled to keep his thoughts on his guitar.

She was watching Ev, curiously. Apparently, she had heard his mistake. Maybe she had heard more than one; how long had she been there, in the dark of the far side of the basement, watching them … listening? She hadn’t even looked his way yet, that he had seen.

Their song faded … stopped.

“So what are you waiting for? Our music isn't good enough for you?”

She turned to Stu, grinning finally. “That’s all right, I’ll wait.”

“We just got started; it’s going to be a while.”

Her eyebrows raised. “It’s eight o’clock. You should’ve started an hour ago.”

Evan jumped in, coming back to life. “We got off late, but we can cut it short…”

“Not for me, you won’t. I'm not going to get in the way.” Her eyes continued to study him. “I just need to work on a couple of steps, anyway. I can do that with any music.” She threw a wink at Stu.

Changing her shoes while they started the song again, she continued her focus on Ev, keeping her eyes away from Duncan. He wondered if it was intentional, and if so, why? They had talked briefly, as part of the group, after the show on Friday, and she and Kate had spent Saturday night in the guys’ apartment. She hadn’t avoided him then. He hadn’t seen her since, though Ev had spent much of day before with her. Ev. Duncan watched the way his buddy watched her practice her steps. His manner had relaxed quite a bit since she’d appeared. They were only friends. He’d made that clear. And he was dating Janet.

The song went well, with no mishaps, and Mike launched into “Jenny” without waiting for music. Susie smiled at him, moving closer as Doug picked up the beat, letting the others jump in as they decided. She gave up the perfectly executed ballet moves, taking up the club dance style and flirting with the lead singer with her eyes. He was in a rare mood; relaxed and playful, and pulled the mic along with him to meet her and imitate her movements. She didn’t hesitate to be close to him, and didn’t pull away when he wrapped an arm around her.

Duncan grimaced, this time at his own bad chord, and she looked over, breaking her dance with Mike.

Their lead stopped singing; gazed over at him. “What? Are you jealous?”

His hand dropped away from the strings. He answered honestly, not looking at the lead singer, but at the girl who had thrown him. “Yes.”

Well, he had her attention. The remaining music died away. He supposed he had everyone’s attention, which hadn’t been his plan, but at least he had hers.

“Evan, are you all right? I heard about the robbery. They said there was a struggle; you're not hurt?”

Susie’s reaction to the manager’s booming, interrupting voice was, first, irritation, then as his words sank in, she jerked her head toward Evan. Duncan saw him glance at her before answering Roy.

“No, everything’s fine. It was nothing.” He put his guitar down, keeping an eye on the girl still staring at him.

“They said he had a gun, but the manager got it away from him. Aren’t you still managing over there?”

“You did what?” Her voice was weak, struggling.

Duncan debated whether to jump in as he felt he should or to keep his word. There was no real debate; he would never break his word to Ev. He shouldn’t have promised him…

“Suse, it was nothing, and no one got hurt.”

Duncan glanced at him, trying not to think how close Evan had come to getting shot while trying to convince the frightened teenager to hand him the loaded pistol.

“Are you crazy? You could have gotten yourself killed!” Her voice intensified. She moved away from Mike.

“Angel, it was just a young kid. He was more scared than I was.”

“Then you’re an idiot! Why didn’t you just let him take what he wanted and go?”

“Because he would just keep doing it. This way, maybe it’ll be his last time and he’ll be able to straighten himself out.”

“And what if he had pulled the trigger?” Shakiness began to echo in her words.

“He didn’t.”

Susie stared silently a moment, then pivoted, ignoring Ev’s voice as she found her street shoes and bolted out of the room.

Ev left his guitar where it stood and followed her.



“Suse. C’mon, talk to me.”

Duncan and Mike stopped at the top floor landing, where Susie was ignoring Ev. She was facing her door, turned away from him.

“Angel….” He touched her shoulder, brushing her neck with his little finger.

She finally turned, her eyes glistening with so-far-unshed tears. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was going to tell you tonight. I really didn’t expect it to get out so fast.”

“Were you going to tell me about wrestling the gun away from him?”

“Susie, I didn’t wrestle it away. I just talked to him.”

“You were still in danger.”

“Everyone there was in danger. Shelly, who was at the cash register … she quit after the police left…”

“Why couldn’t you just stay away from him and let the police handle it?”

“Suse, relax. It’s over.”

“Relax? How can I relax knowing that they’re going to let him back out on the street so he can come after you?”

“Why would he come after me?”

“You got him arrested. You don’t think he’s going to be upset about that? You know they’ll have your name and address on file. It’s the guilty they protect; not the innocent! You KNOW that!” She turned to Duncan as he moved closer. “And why didn’t you tell him to stay away? You’re supposed to be his friend. Aren’t friends supposed to look out for each other when they’re being STUPID?”

Duncan just looked at her, not sure what to say. He’d promised not to tell her that Ev had to step in because he’d tried to prevent the robbery. He knew he’d been the stupid one because his anger got the better of him. Now Ev was again taking the heat, and he couldn’t say anything.

“Angel...” Ev touched her arm.

She pulled away abruptly. “Don’t. I don’t want to be pacified. I want you to promise me you won’t ever do anything like that again.”

“Suse, I can’t do that, but I promise I’ll be careful.”

“That’s not good enough!”

He moved closer again and gently put his hands on her shoulders. When she tried to push him away, he held tighter. “Suse, everything is fine. Why are you so upset?”

“Why? Because I’ve lost too much already. I can’t lose you, too. You have no idea how much I…” Tears trickled down her cheek. She gave in when Evan pulled her against his chest.

Duncan stood silently and watched her hold onto his buddy as Mike disappeared into his apartment. When she began to calm down, he walked up to Ev. “Can I borrow your car?”

Hearing his voice, she pulled back, wiping the tears away and avoiding his eyes. Ev looked puzzled, but pulled the keys from his pocket. “Where are you going?”

“Takin’ Susie for a drive.”

She brushed her eyes with her fingertips and looked over at him, silent and stunned.

“You might want t’ change your shoes first and grab a jacket. I’ll wai’ for you.”

They both stared at him; Susie as though he’d lost his mind, Ev … partly curious and partly understanding. Duncan half expected his buddy to object. He didn’t.

She turned, without a word, and went into her apartment, closing the door.

“Is she comin’ back?”

“I don’t know. What are you doing?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Bein’ a distraction.”

“Duncan … I don’t want her to know…”

“I gave y’ my word.” He knew it wasn’t the promise his buddy was worried about. “Ev, you are the only friend I ‘ave had in five years. The only man I ‘ave trusted. Do y’ trust me with her?”

He took a quick breath before answering. “I would trust you with my life, but you have to know that she is much more important to me than my own life. And she’s not…”

“I know.” His friend looked doubtful. “Ev, I know I ‘m no’ her type. I know how she matters t’ you. An’ you and I both know tha’ I will be no more than a distraction for her. I am no’… I will no’ fool myself into thinkin’ it could be more than that.”

“What if you’re wrong?”

“Wrong how?”

He paused, considering his thoughts before speaking them. “What if she is interested in more than that? If….”

“Right. I am flattered a’ the thought, bu’ you know I am no’ right for her. No’ long term, anyway. No’ for a woman like that.”

“A woman like that might be good for you.”

He chuckled. “Yeah, maybe so. Bu’ it may no’ be so good for her.” Duncan felt an objection approaching and swerved around it. “You do no’ need t’ worry, y’ know. I am no’ goin’ t’ try anything.”

“Okay. I’ll take your word for that.”
Her door opened. She stepped out wearing jeans, her street shoes, and a jacket. Still, she didn’t speak. She looked at Evan, waiting.

He hesitated, but just barely. “Can we talk when you come back?”

Ev was letting her go. And she wasn’t completely content with the knowledge. She nodded.

“Ready?” Duncan watched her face, expecting her to change her mind and bolt back into her apartment. She didn’t. Instead, she met his eyes, and nodded again.



She almost lost her nerve while sitting alone in the dark car after Duncan closed her door. She really didn’t know this guy very well. But Evan wasn’t bothered by her being alone with him, and she didn’t remember him ever not being bothered when she was alone with a guy.

His presence, as he opened the driver-side door and slid behind the wheel, was both comforting and agitating. Who was he? She wanted to get to know him, but as a friend … as Evan’s friend. She wanted…. She wasn’t sure anymore what she wanted. Evan had given her up. It wasn’t going to happen the way she had imagined since childhood, with the two of them forever inseparable and making a home together. The loss of the biggest dream she had ever had fogged her brain. Her second biggest dream had disappeared long ago. She had given it up, intentionally, in order to stay with Evan. Now she didn’t have either. Well, she kind of still had him, as a best friend, with his promise that nothing would come between that, ever. Maybe … eventually…

“Is there anywhere you would like t’ go?”

His voice was soft over the hum of the engine, singing in harmony along with it.

She looked at him; his hair, with a touch of a curl around the bottom that always was more obvious after he’d been playing, when the sweat from his neck moistened it; his jaw, strong and intensely masculine, showing a touch of a shadow from the beard beginning to grow back; his eyes, friendly and gorgeous and sexy … and secretive…. She shook her head. It didn’t matter where they went tonight. Just out … away from everything … anywhere.

“Then you’ll be trustin’ me t’ decide?”

The accent. It was stronger tonight; as gorgeous as his eyes. She nodded, keeping the inferior quality of her own voice silent.

He stayed quiet, as well, as he pulled away from their building and headed to wherever he decided she needed to go. Susie distracted her mind by studying the details of her adopted town. She thought about how the neighborhood had grown in the two years since she’d moved in. And she had grown with it. When Evan had brought her here, she’d just graduated from high school and wasn’t quite eighteen yet, but her dad gave in to her constant insistence that she would be fine living in an apartment by herself across the hall from Evan. He only gave in after Kate agreed to move with her so she wouldn’t be living alone. And after she told him that she would move the day she turned eighteen, anyway. She had been crushed the first time she realized Evan was dating another girl, but then she was still young. He wanted to wait until she was older. Anyway, her own excuse worked to pacify her. And then came Nathan. He was her age, funny and charming. Until he’d tried to become too serious. But she’d also had to put that past her and had tried to bury the memory. It was another learning experience and she hadn’t dated since. Her responsibilities at work were growing, and she’d entertained the notion of some day owning her own studio. She knew she wasn’t a child any longer, but sometimes she wished she could crawl onto her mother’s lap and listen to the beautiful voice sing to her as they rocked together.

“What are you thinking about?” Duncan’s voice startled her back to the present. “I’m sorry; I did no’ mean to scare you.”

“You didn’t. I was just….” She pushed her memories back to where they’d been hidden. “So, what really happened today?”

“You ‘ave already heard it. What more do you want t’ know?”

“I know Evan, and I know there’s something he’s not telling me.”

He kept his eyes on the road. “Then you should ask him.”

“He told you not to say anything, didn’t he?”

He ignored the question, pulling into a gravel parking lot in front of a little café. “Hungry?” He didn’t wait for an answer before getting out and walking around to open her door. A breeze made her shiver and he walked slightly behind her in order to block the wind. His chest brushed against her arm when he leaned forward to pull the door open. The warmth penetrated her even through her jacket.
A waitress in a short, tight skirt and loose low-cut blouse was at their table before they were even settled. She smiled broadly at her male customer.

“What can I get you tonight?”

“Can we see the menu?” He appeared not to take notice of the way she leaned toward him.

“Of course, Doll.” She swayed to the counter and back, setting one greasy menu on the edge of the table beside Susie and handing the other to the man who had her full attention. She leaned toward him again, showing more cleavage than Susie would be able to show even wearing nothing. “If you want something that’s not on the menu, let me know and I’ll see what I can do.” She winked.

He nodded, ignoring her meaning, and turned away, noticing that Susie hadn’t picked up her menu. “Aren’t you hungry?”

“No.” And she didn’t want to touch the unwashed plastic cover.

“Do you like pecan pie?”

“It’s my favorite kind.” She hoped the kitchen was cleaner.

“Mine, too.” He caught the waitress’s eye and she again hurried over. “We need two slices of pecan pie and two coffees.”

“Oh, I don’t drink coffee. I have to watch the caffeine.” She hoped she wasn’t being too hard to please.

“Make them both decaf.” After the woman left, he half-whispered, leaning in closer. “Tha’ way she won’t mix them up.” She grinned as he continued. “If you do no’ like it, you can leave it. I never ‘ave pie withou’ coffee.”

Susie found she did enjoy it after adding enough cream and sugar. She couldn’t drink it black as her companion did. She also found herself relaxing and enjoying his company as they talked about the band and the town and their current jobs. They finished their pie long before giving up on the conversation. She was disappointed when he asked if she was ready to go.
Back in the car, she couldn’t quell her curiosity any longer. The lengthy, casual talk combined with the evening’s events and her growing fatigue loosened her customary control. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course.” He shifted the car into drive.

“Why did you leave Scotland?”

He was quiet nearly a minute before answering vaguely. “I had to ge’ out on my own.”

She couldn’t help chuckling. “I thought it was a big deal to move one {?} state over. Doesn’t it bother you to be so far from your family?”

After another moment of silence, he shrugged off the question. “There’s no point in worrying abou’ a decision after it’s been made. I do no’ let myself live in the past.”

His evasive answers told her that she wasn’t going to get through to him, so she went back to watching the lights out the window. The sudden silence was unsettling after their comfortable conversation in the café. She looked over at him when he pulled into a deserted parking lot and turned off the engine.

“I though’ we could enjoy the view while we talk, away from the nosy waitress.” He nodded across the river at the city lights dancing in the gently flowing water.

“I always enjoy driving past here at night. It is beautiful.”

Duncan turned slightly. “Yes, bu’ I would always rather look at you.” He started to reach for her hand.

She pulled back and unfastened her seat belt, ready to reach for the door handle. “Don’t.”

Drawing his hand away, he studied her face. “Are y’ afraid of me?”

“Why did you ask me to go for a drive tonight?” She couldn’t look at him, but felt his stare.

“You needed to ge’ out, away from Ev.”

“Why?”

“Why do y’ trust him more than y’ trust yourself?”

Her eyes were drawn to his face. “What makes you think I do?”

“You would no’ have come tonight if he had told you no’ to.”

“He knows you better than I do.”

“And you do no’ trust yourself.”

She didn’t answer. He had his secrets. She had hers. It wasn’t his business why… why he was right. “I told you, I don’t have great luck with guys.”

“That only means you have no’ dated the right guys.”

“And you think you’re the right guy?”

He took her hand. She decided to let him. “No. I imagine I ‘m not. Bu’ I am no’ askin’ anything of you, either. Anything … except t’ spend some time with me. So have you been turnin’ me down because you’re just no’ interested, or because you’re afraid to be alone with me?”

“I’m afraid … of letting myself feel something I don’t want to feel. I’m not afraid of you. Evan wouldn’t have let me come with you if I needed to be.”

“How do you know he isn’t wrong?”

“He never has been before. I think he has a sixth sense when it comes to knowing people. Maybe because he’s less self-absorbed than the rest of us.”

“Wha’ do you mean?”

“Most people are too concerned with their own lives and their own thoughts to be tuned in to everyone else, but Evan always seems more concerned about those around him. Maybe because he’s always had to be responsible for others.”

“Because his father left?”

She nodded. “His mom had to work full time to support the house, so he took charge of his brother and started working at the store on weekends. And then he got stuck with me, too. I don’t know how he ever kept his grades up enough to get a scholarship.”

“Didn’t you want t' go to college?”

“I wanted to go the year he did, but Dad insisted that I finish high school first.” She grinned, remembering how serious she had been. She had never liked Glenn Heights High School, and couldn't imagine having to stay in that town without Evan there with her. But she had, and it had been a very long two years. “I did take a few classes at the junior college here, but I didn’t find anything I was interested in, so after I finished all the dance classes they offered, I quit going. That way, I could get more hours in at work. And I’m already doing what I want to do.”

“I never understood how people could voluntarily si’ in a classroom all day and be lectured. I woul’ much rather be ou’ doing.”

“I could tell that from the moment we met.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Wha’ else could you tell?”

She could feel her cheeks getting warm, thinking of when he had first touched her hand. What else could she tell? More than she was about to say. She couldn't tell him how his eyes had pierced through hers, or how her heartbeat had accelerated just being so close to him, or that for the first time in her life, she thought Evan may have some competition in her thoughts. But she had to say something. “I knew you would be worth getting to know.”

He caught more emotion in her voice than she'd intended to show. “So you’re no’ totally disinterested?”

“No.” She avoided his eyes, attempting to prevent the quivers he was sending through her while running his fingers over her cheek and into her hair.

“Should I keep askin’ you out, or will you tell me when you’re ready?”

When she was ready. She wasn’t sure she would be. She wasn’t sure she could let it go that far. But she also wasn’t sure she could keep resisting. “Are you planning on staying around a while, or is this temporary?”

“Honestly … I do no’ know yet.” His fingers caressed her head. “Does it matter t’ you?”

She looked up. Did it matter? Maybe. “I’m not asking you to stay because of me. I just want to know what I’m getting into.”

“Suse, I have moved around a lot, but it’s no’ because I can no’ stay in one place. I ‘ave just never had a reason to stay.”

“Then I guess I’ll have to hope you like being in the band.”

Duncan grinned. “Does tha’ mean you’re accepting?”

Before she could answer, a loud tap at the window startled them, and Duncan turned, lurching forward to protect her from the stranger. After he blocked the light streaming in, they could see a police uniform and he rolled the window down. “Is there a problem?”

“What are you doing here?”

“Talking.”

“Who’s in there with you?”

He leaned back obediently. A bright beam of light hit Susie's eyes, and she pulled them away.

“Would you mind takin’ that from her face?”

When she looked up again, Duncan had blocked the beam with his hand, and the officer was grabbing the door handle. “Step out of the car.”

Susie saw his jaw tense and his chest rise and fall quickly before he grudgingly obeyed the man, then a female officer opened her door and asked her to come out as well. Not sure what was happening, she didn't argue, but stepped out as the first officer abruptly forced Duncan up against the car and frisked him.

“Are you all right?”

She ignored the question. “What’s he doing?”

“Just making sure we’re all safe. Are you all right? You look pretty shaken.”

“Tell him to stop.”

The first officer finally ordered his suspect to turn around again as he called over to Susie. “Was this guy bothering you?”

“I told you, we were just talkin’.”

The irritation in Duncan’s voice was too obvious and the officer drew his stick and pushed it against his abdomen. “Keep your mouth shut. I was talking to the lady.”

“Stop it!” Susie hurried to the other side of the car. “He wasn’t doing anything. We were just talking, like he said.”

The female officer stopped her before she reached Duncan’s side. “What’s your name?”

“Susie Brooks.”

“Susie, you don’t have to be afraid of him. If he’s bothering you, you need to let us know so we can keep him from really hurting you.”

Afraid? Hurting her? She glanced between the two officers. “I’m not afraid of him and he wasn’t bothering me.” She could hear her own voice shaking, but she wasn't sure whether she was more nervous or angry. Why were they doing this?

“Lady, if you don’t turn him in, it may be the last thing you’ll never do.”

She could see the anger in Duncan’s eyes. “Hey, ease up, and qui’ harassin’ her. Take me away if you’re goin’ to, bu’ leave her alone. Just le’ me call a friend t’ come pick her up.”

“I told you to shut up!” The man pressed the stick harder and Duncan pulled his shoulders in and tried to draw back against the car.

Nervous, hell. She was just angry now. Jerking her arm free, she jumped in between the policeman and his victim, startling the officer enough to be able to shove the stick away. “Stop it! We were just talking and looking at the lights. He wasn’t bothering me! He’s my friend.” Feeling a different hand on her arm, she turned to face him. “Are you okay?”

He nodded. “It’s all righ’.”

“No it’s not. Are you sure you’re okay?” She gently set a hand on his stomach, where the stick had been.

“I’m fine.” He placed his hand on hers, gently grasping her fingers, and looked up at the officer. “Can we go now?”

After glancing at his partner, the man backed away with a warning look. “Go ahead, but I’ll be keeping an eye on you.”

The comment infuriated her and she wasn't about to let it go. He could arrest her if he wanted. Her dad would take care of it. “You know, when I tried to turn someone in who needed to go to jail, no one believed me because he was a well-dressed kid from a well-known family. Duncan’s a good person who was just helping a friend, and you were ready to throw him in jail because of the way he looks, I suppose. How dare you attack an innocent man like that?”

Duncan tried to pull her away. “Suse, le’ it go. It’s all right.”

“No, it’s not. He could have hurt you. He needs to be turned in. Dad knows people…”

“Suse, it’s all righ’ – do no’ say any more.”

She started to protest, but something in his eyes stopped her, and she let him walk her over to the other side of the car and hold the door. The officers waited until they drove away, watching. Neither spoke as they left the parking lot and headed home.

When they pulled in beside their building, she decided to break the silence. “Do you have to deal with that all the time?”

“Well, I guess if you look like a rebel, you have to expect people t' treat you that way. I’ve learned t' ignore it.”

“Are you a rebel?”

Duncan thought a moment before grinning softly. “I guess I am. While I was growing, my hair was so short I didn’t need a comb, and I always hated it. I haven’t had it cut since I left home.” He switched off the engine.

“And the earring?”

“The first thing I did when I go’ t’ America; kind of a sign of independence. Does it bother you?”

“Not at all. Actually, I’ve been thinking about doing mine.”

“Yours are already done.”

“Yeah, but I’d like to have one double pierced.”

“Why haven’t you?”

“I don’t think Dad would like it much. He didn’t want them done in the first place.”

“Don’t y’ think you’re old enough t' make up your own mind?”

“I do, but I can’t stand to upset him. There’s nothing on this earth he wouldn’t do for me, other than not travelling, and I’m his only family.” She paused. Her family history wasn't something she usually talked about. But he would most likely change the subject, anyway. Everyone else had when the conversation turned too close to her mother.

“What about his parents; they’re no’ alive?”

He wanted to know more? Maybe he was just being polite. But he didn’t look like he was. “I have no idea. I’ve never seen them.”

“You do no’ know your grandparents?”

She shook her head. “They had arranged for Dad to marry the daughter of their best friends when he was only eleven or twelve. When he married Mom instead, they pushed him away. I don’t think he’s seen them since. He’s half Shoshone and half Cherokee. They wanted him to marry within one of the tribes.”

“Do they even know abou’ you?”

“They know. Mom sent them a birth announcement.”

“Where are her parents?”

“Still in Missouri, I suppose. That’s where Mom and Dad grew up.”

“In the same town?”

She hesitated. How much did he really want to know? Her family history was pretty messed up. What would he think?

“Am I askin’ too much?”

“Are you sure you want to know? It’s really….”

“You do no’ talk about your family in general.”

“No. And even when I start … I can tell no one really wants to hear it. It’s not much to hear.”

“Suse, I left Scotland because of my father. Also no’ something I tell people. Bu’ maybe we could trust each other a bit since Ev trusts us both?”

She studied his eyes. She believed he didn’t trust people any more than she did. But he was so easy to talk to. “Mom lived in town.” His patient approval encouraged her. “She came from a very wealthy and very strict Irish Catholic family. Dad lived on the reservation. Of course, her parents thought he wasn’t good enough for her and legally disinherited her when she married him because they didn’t want Indian blood in their family.”

He wasn’t shocked. “So you do no’ know them either?”

“I met them once, at Mom’s funeral. Her mom tried to talk to me, but she was pulled away by her husband. You know, he honestly looked at the casket and said right in front of Dad that at least she wouldn’t be bringing any more half-breeds into the world.”

“You canno’ be serious?”

“I think Dad would have knocked him down if I hadn’t been there.”

“Did you know wha’ he meant?”

“I knew what he meant. It wasn’t the first time I’d heard it, or the last.” She shrugged casually. “Anyway, I’m sure you’ve heard more than you wanted to. And Evan’s going to wonder where we are.” And she had said more than she’d meant to. Turning from the conversation by unhooking her seatbelt, she felt a light touch on her arm.

“I am always willin’ t’ listen. Bu’, you’re right, it is late and you look tired.” He pulled his hand away and was around the car and opening her door before she had time to react, not just from the comment, but from the look in his eyes. He seemed honestly interested in hearing about her life.

She stepped out beside him and felt a gust of cool air. A shiver ran through her body as he moved closer. Susie wasn't at all sure it was the wind making her shiver. She stayed close enough to nearly rub her shoulder against his arm as he held the heavy entrance door open so she could pass by him into the warmth. Neither spoke as they walked up to her apartment.

Not wanting to say good night, she hesitated after unlocking her door. “Duncan, thank you.”

“For what?”

“For being here. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I am more than okay.” He was standing close and seemed to want … something. But then he backed up. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Susie nodded, wanting to ask him in, but afraid he would mistake her intentions. “Can I ride in with you guys?”

“Of course.” He waited as she stepped inside. “Sleep well.”

“Thanks, you too.” She smiled at him before backing into her apartment.