Page 66 of Never Fall Again

Cal wasn’t sure if she was praying or venting, although maybe it was both. One thing he knew for sure was that a bit of divine guidance would be welcome right about now.

When she looked at him, the anger was gone, but the stark fear that remained was threatening to destroy him. He walked around the couch and approached her slowly. In his experience, woundedpeople were significantly more dangerous than any wounded animal could ever be. They could lash out and land blows that forced the people trying to help to abandon their attempt so they could tend their own injuries.

Before he could get to her, she dropped her head. “I’m sorry, Cal. None of this is your fault. And it isn’t your problem.”

He was about to cross a line. A line they’d both drawn in extra bold permanent marker. And he didn’t hesitate. When he reached her, he rested one hand on her hip, and placed his other hand on her cheek with his thumb under her chin. Her hands landed at his waist, but he did nothing to pull her body any closer to his. Instead, he tilted her face up and waited until her eyes met his. “Don’t ever apologize for allowing me to see the truth of you, Landry.”

“The truth of me is not always a pretty thing to see.”

“I disagree. I’ll take your tough truth over a deceitful mask any day.” He tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear. “But I’m guessing you’ve had enough truth for tonight.”

Her laugh was shaky. “Yeah.”

Cal pulled her in and gave her a quick hug, then stepped back before he forgot that as far as she knew, they were just friends. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

There was two feet between them. He could close that distance—

Landry’s phone rang. She blinked several times before she dug the phone from her purse. Had she been as caught up in the moment as he’d been?

“Hello?” A pause. “Yes.” She pulled the phone away from her ear, tapped the screen, and Gray’s voice came through the speaker.

“Sorry to bother you so late, Landry. I wanted to be sure you made it home safe and that Eliza’s okay.”

Landry didn’t seem to mind Gray’s interruption in the slightest.“Oh, that’s so kind of you. We’re home. Eliza’s gone through her candy and is already asleep.”

A simple “Yes, thank you” would have sufficed.

“Good. Did Cal follow you home?”

Landry didn’t meet Cal’s eyes. “He did.”

“He still there?”

That was enough of that. “What do you want, Gray?”

Gray cleared his throat. “Just making sure Landry and Eliza are okay.”

“As Landry said, they’re fine.”

“Thought you might stop by the station on your way home.”

“You could’ve called me.”

Gray cleared his throat again. “I did. Three times.”

Cal pulled the phone from his pocket. Sure enough. Missed calls. More than three. “Sorry, man. I guess it’s on Do Not Disturb.” He went to the settings tab.

“Maybe you can take it off?”

“Doing that now.”

“Good. Are you coming by?”

“Of course.”

“Anytime soon?”