Page 14 of Rogue Romeo
“I’d like to help you if—if you’ll let me.”
I allow my eyes to fall closed as my lip pops free, and I nod slowly in silent reply. When my eyes open, Leonard has moved closer and is holding a hand out to me.
“My sister has a place nearby. You can clean up there if you like.”
“I—I—”
My words are broken, my mouth absolutely refusing to cooperate, and I can feel my face scrunch up in frustration.
I point through the window of the old Corolla. “Clothes.”
He nods gently, and I drop my keys into his waiting hands.
Once he’s opened the door, I lean into the back seat, ignoring the pitying look on Leonard’s face when he sees the evidence of my recent eviction. I quickly grab some clean clothes and spot an almost empty CVS bag on the floor to carry them in.
The pill packet and wet wipes from inside go directly into my handbag, and I quickly shove the necessary items into it.
Almost as an afterthought, I pluck an old pair of flip-flops from underneath the passenger seat. Then I straighten to look at Leonard, dropping the flip-flops onto the ground to slide my feet into them.
I’m thankful to feel a little more centered, having done something as normal as putting on footwear.
“Come on, Reyna.” Leonard moves off toward the pedestrian exit, and I follow gratefully.
Less than five minutes later, he pushes open the door to an Irish bar on the corner of Broad Street called Molly Malones.
“We’re closed!”
A voice rings out from behind the bar, and a flame-haired, exceptionally short plus-sized woman turns to us with a scowl that transforms into a worried expression upon spotting Leonard.
“What’s going on, Leo?”
She rounds the end of the bar, coming closer as Leonard gently grips me underneath my elbow. “Darcy, meet my friend, Reyna.”
Darcy smiles brightly, dusting her palms off on her black work pants before extending her right hand. “Nice to meet you, Reyna.”
I slide my hand into hers, wincing slightly when her grip belies her stature. “Sorry, lovely.” She smiles self-deprecatingly. “I’m stronger than I look.”
The Irish lilt in her voice is much more apparent than in Leonard’s, I note, as though from a distance.
“Reyna’s the baker of all of the desserts I’ve been bringing home.”
Darcy chuckles. “Ah! You’re the reason I’m not bikini ready, is it?”
She taps her rounded hips as she pops a brow playfully. The gesture tugs a small smile from my weary lips, and with that, I feel instantly at ease despite never having met her before.
Leonard gently urges me closer, a deep chuckle rumbling in his chest before he sobers. “Reyna’s down on her luck at the minute, Darce. Umm…”
He trails off, and I can feel his eyes on me, asking for my assent. I nod once, and he carries on.
“She’s had some trouble with work—though I’m not privy as to what exactly—and judging by her car, I’m fairly sure she’s living out of it.”
My stomach dips, hearing the sorry state of my life spoken aloud for the first time, and before I can help it, my breath hitches on a sob.
Leonard stiffens beside me as his sister springs into action.
“It’s okay, lovely. It’ll all be just grand.” She hooks my other elbow. “You’re safe here.”
“I need to get back—”