Beneath These Scars (Beneath #4)(63)

“But you realize he can’t babysit me forever.”

Lucas lifted a hand to my chin. “He can until the cops and arson investigators figure out exactly what happened and who was responsible.” He paused before he added, “I’m not going to lose you to something senseless when we both know I can protect you.”

It was on the tip of my tongue to say, I don’t need protection. But the feeling of foreboding growing inside me contradicted that, along with warmth at the knowledge that Lucas wanted to protect me.

“For now,” I said with a frown.

“Stubborn woman.”

“Hey, I gave in. Don’t get used to it.”

“I wouldn’t dare,” he said, his voice low as he skimmed a finger along my jaw.

“I should go then. I’m going to be late.”

“I’m not done looking at you.”

Speechlessness wasn’t something I experienced often, but words escaped me as he memorized my face.

“Beautiful. Smart. Determined. You should probably run while you still have the chance.”

I swallowed. “And what if I don’t want to run?”

His jaw tightened. “Then God help us both.”

Lucas stepped away and dropped his hand to take mine. “We’ll find Jerome. He’ll take you to work.”




I walked into Dirty Dog, my mind spinning about what to do with Lucas. He was invading every inch of my life, and it should have made me completely claustrophobic and defensive, but I actually felt relieved. No one could argue the man wasn’t capable. I’d always been the only person I could truly count on, but now I also had him. And then there was the something more growing at an alarming rate.

My old reactions yelled, Dangerous, Yve. Bad idea. But these new feelings were drowning that voice out.

“Hey, girl!” JP rushed toward me, throwing her arms around me before I had a chance to react. She squeezed me so tightly my ribs ached. “I was so worried when Jerome told me what happened! Oh my God.”

“I’m fine,” I said, forcing a smile to my lips as I recalled the terrifying events of the morning before, and carefully untangled myself from her grip.

“Are you sure you should be here? I mean, maybe you should take another day.”

“I need a distraction,” I replied with absolute honesty.

I surveyed the shop. Jerome manned the register, ringing up two ladies who’d been waiting at the door when we opened. Even though I’d only been gone a day, I examined every inch of the place, noting what had been moved or sold. A lot of my favorites. The fun of stocking this store with stuff I loved meant a little piece of my heart went out with each sale. And today, I supposed I was feeling a little more sentimental because . . . well, all the favorites I’d taken home before were gone.

From the looks of it, they’d had a hell of a busy day yesterday. My gaze landed on the antique dress form in the front corner near the window. It was empty. The Cinderella dress was gone.

I guess I should’ve nabbed it when I had the chance, I told myself, my stomach sinking with disappointment. Because now I had a legitimate reason to start refilling my closet, and in the back of my mind, I’d pictured that dress in it.

“Good day, ladies,” Jerome called out, and waved as the women exited the shop.

It seemed that between JP and Jerome, I was barely needed. Which was fine with me for the moment. I was having a difficult time finding my ever-cheery shopkeeper smile.

“I’m going to dig into the inventory in the back and see if I can find a few things that will fit me.” I gestured to the dress Jerome had selected. “Although you did a great job picking this one.”

Jerome’s forehead wrinkled, and JP piped up. “Oh, I picked it.” She leaned in closer to add, “And I stopped at Trashy Diva for the underwear. Figured it’d be less weird to have me do it.”

“Take your time, dear. We have this under control,” Jerome added.

A few hours later, I’d selected and pressed enough clothes for a few days and finally returned to the shop floor.

“JP, you want to take your lunch?” I asked.

She paused in restacking a pile of jeans. “Sounds great. I’m going to hit the café up the street. You want me to grab you something?”

The door chimed before I could respond. Out of habit, I glanced over my shoulder with a smile and greeting. The smile fell away as soon as I saw who it was.

Jennifer. And she was wearing the dress she’d bought the last time she was here.

I swung around to look at JP. “I’d love something. Feel free to surprise me. Jerome, if you want to go too, that’s fine.”

Jerome studied me and looked to the skinny blonde. For a moment I’d forgotten that Lucas had designated him as my babysitter.

“I think I’ll sweep the front sidewalk.”

They both headed out the front door, Jerome grabbing the broom tucked in the little hidden closet up front.

I turned to Jennifer. “Can I help you?” I asked, keeping my tone polite.

“Just stopping in. There were a few more things I wanted to pick up. I was interrupted last time.”

I held my breath, waiting for her to say something about owning the place soon. But she didn’t. I needed to talk to Harriet. Tomorrow.

She turned to the dress form that had held my Cinderella dress. “Did you sell that blue dress? That’s the one I came back for.”