Page 107 of Hide From Me
I didn’t bother looking up. I was too busy studying the steam off my coffee. Mostly because I wasn’t sure I wanted her to see exactly how I felt.
“Cas can’t be alone in the lies that seem to wind around him like a barbed wire fence. I try to see behind it all to see the man, but I’m worried that loving him will hurt. The closer I get, the more truth I see, but how will I ever know?”
She was quiet for some time before I finally looked up.
“I don’t think you can ever know anyone is truthful, but if you let the right person love you, something will happen that dissolves all doubt.”
That was all of not helpful.
“Oh. Okay. Thanks. I think I’m going to go grab some things at my apartment. I’ll stop back in here and grab some muffins to bring back to Zeiden and Xander.”
She gave me a knowing little smile.
“You’ll forgive Caspian for whatever he might have done. I’ll make sure to pack an extra just in case.”
Rolling my eyes might have been what I wanted to do because this woman. But I didn’t. She wasn’t wrong that I wasn’t really mad at him. I was more confused at it all. Did I intend to be at his home in his bed?
I laughed to myself like I might actually say no. I headed out of the cafe and walked the fifteen steps to the door.
“Oh, so sorry.”
I looked up at the man I’d just run into.
“It’s alright. Watch where you’re going. A young woman would be smart to know her surroundings.”
Odd. He wasn’t wrong, but the way he looked at me had my skin crawling. I didn’t like him.
I looked around and saw a camera that I’d never noticed before. That gave me some comfort out here. I glanced back to see if anyone was looking for me from the Dove. Something told me Winnie had been watching me for Cas even before I realized anyone was looking out for me.
“Okay. Well, thanks for not being upset. I guess it’s good I didn’t spill my coffee on you.”
He chuckled, but he hadn’t let me go. I was sure he was just being kind, but I didn’t really like being touched by anyone but Cas.
“Very lucky.”
“Okay. Well, thanks.”
I pulled my wrist with the coffee away and looked at my door.
“I’ll be going now.”
I was turning away from him when something abruptly pinched my arm. It was an odd feeling. He let me go at the same time, which I was thankful for.
“Ouch.” I rubbed my arm.
“Are you okay?”
I shook my arm.
“Yeah. I guess. I swear something bit me.”
He smiled.
“Horsefly, I’m sure. They can be bothersome. Well, be on your way. Be careful.”
I put the key into the lock but found myself looking back at the sidewalk. He was walking away, so that was a good thing. Still, it felt super weird. Odd guy.
At least here, for whatever creepy reason, I felt safe knowing that I was only alone in the sense that no other body was in the apartment. The cameras in the apartment I still hadn’t found, but judging from Cas’s possessive nature, I was certain no one had ever seen the videos. I waved like I knew he would be watching.