Lie, Lie Again(66)
The man approached her table, and now that he was inches from her, Sylvia knew exactly who he was. He had a number in his hand, so she knew he was staying. She took a satisfying breath, marveling at how her luck continued to grow.
“Hi, Sylvia.” He waved awkwardly. “It’s Sal. From the elevator?”
“Of course,” she said, her tone warm. “You’re out and about early.”
“Yeah. My Thursdays start at the crack of dawn.” He pointed to her wrist. “What happened?”
How lovely that he’d noticed! She met his eyes slowly, as though she were trapped and didn’t know whether or not she could trust this person in front of her. Like a cornered animal. And then she smiled brightly. A big, happy, I’ve-never-been-better smile. Because she was a brave soul. “Oh, this.” She lifted her wrist limply. “It was like this when we met. My jacket must’ve covered it. Anyway, it was . . . well, it was a fall.” She tucked her wrist close to her. “A clumsy move.”
He shifted his feet and tried for a smile.
He didn’t believe her. She knew by the way his body sagged and his eyes narrowed, like he wanted to hurt the person responsible. Sometimes it was too easy to make people wonder. She motioned to the empty spot across from her. “Have a seat if you’d like. Unless you’re meeting someone, that is.”
He pulled out the chair and set his number on the table. “Thanks. I’d love to.” As he draped his jacket across the chair back, he said, “I just dropped my daughter at my ex’s place. That’s why I’m here so early. My ex wants her by seven thirty every other Thursday morning, which is a struggle for a number of reasons. It’s tough leaving her after spending a few days together. I end up coming here and loading up on carbs and caffeine before work on drop-off days. Do you have kids?”
She sipped her latte and imagined it was a calming serum. It was like the universe wanted to make sure she never forgot she wasn’t a mother. “I don’t.” She smiled. “Never been married and no kids.”
He nodded. “Divorced and one kid. She’s seven.” His face lit up and fell, all in a matter of seconds. “It sucks not being able to see my little girl every day. At least I have shared custody.”
“Do you live here? In Venice?”
“No. Santa Monica. My ex lives here.”
A server stopped by the table with a large cappuccino and a blueberry muffin, plucking the number stand as she left.
“Excellent call on the muffin.” She lifted her own from her plate and inhaled the sweetness. “Yumm. I could exist on this smell alone. Real estate agents understand this, you know. They bake muffins or cookies the morning of an open house. When prospective buyers walk in, they don’t want to leave. It works like magic.” I suppose the reverse is true too, she thought. Maybe she could wrangle some skunks over to Mockingbird Lane if Jonathan decided to hold an open house.
“Sounds sneaky.” He smiled as he peeled the paper from his muffin. “I’m addicted to this place. These are like crack for me.”
She knew right then and there that he’d never had experience with drug users. No one who had would make a joke about addiction and crack the way he just did. She didn’t blame him, though. He hadn’t lived it.
“The coffee is wonderful too,” she said, sipping hers.
“I was thinking about you after we met.” He smiled. “As I was sitting in the dentist chair.”
“Oof. That’s not a good thing. You’re going to associate me with pain.”
“I don’t mind the dentist. I actually like the taste of the stuff they use to polish my teeth.” He leaned back in the chair, stretching, as if prepping to say something important but wanting to give the impression of being casual. “I was wondering how long you’ve been dealing with your ex.” His eyes shifted for a moment but then focused back on her. “I know how upsetting it can be. I’ve been there. Well, with angry texts, at least.”
“Really?” She placed her good hand beneath her chin and leaned forward a touch. Enough to say, I’m listening.
He ran a hand through his hair. “Yeah. When I was going through the divorce.”
“Which was how long ago?”
“Three years now. Things have finally settled down, but it was hell for a while. And when you got those texts, it brought it all back. I felt for you. I probably sound intrusive. Maybe I am.” He laughed. “I sometimes think it’s my job to protect anyone who’s getting bullied by an ex. And one day, if anyone dares to hurt my little girl—watch out. I’ll kill them with my bare hands.”
What a lovely sentiment. An idea floated above her like a soft cloud blocking the glare of the sun, but she left it to hover. No need to make any snap decisions. She moved her eyes to Sal’s. “You’re quite the protective one.”
He shook his head. “I just have a knee-jerk reaction to certain things, and that’s one of them. So while I was sitting there in the dentist chair, I was angry with myself for not trying to help. It’s funny that I ran into you here today. I’d already planned to track you down in the marketing department.” He held up his hands. “And if I’m sticking my head in where it’s not wanted, I’ll back off. I just wanted you to know I’m here to help if you need it.” He glanced at her wrist but shifted his gaze quickly back to her eyes. He knew better than to pry. Lovely man.