Page 80 of Defending You

Though less dangerous than being holed up in a cabin with Cici. He always said too much when he was with her, always revealed too much about himself. She made it easy to talk, and unlike the cruel prom queen who still lived in his head, today’s Cici was kind and generous, never judgmental and always looking at him with that…that fully invested expression, as if every word he spoke mattered to her.

She was not who he’d built her up in his mind to be. She wasn’t cruel, and sure, she’d been prom queen, but that wasbecause she’d been admired by so many people. Because she’d been kind, even back then, except for that one ugly moment.

And he was falling for her all over again. He’d call himself a fool, except whowouldn’tfall for her? She was exactly the kind of woman he dreamed of building a life with someday.

When he completed his assignment, he’d deliver her to Ballentine and her family, and then…and then he’d figure it out. Because Cici had become the spectacular woman he’d known, instinctively, back in high school, that she would be. And if she’d consider someone like him, then he’d be a fool not to pursue her.

They were almost there. By his calculations, they were an hour from Portland, maybe an hour and a half from Shadow Cove. So close. But his stomach cramped with hunger, and his shoulders ached.

As they rounded a sharp curve, the bike’s headlight illuminated a small, weathered sign that read “Millerville.” The faded lettering promised gas and food, exactly what they needed.

“There’s a town ahead,” he called over his shoulder. “We should stop.”

He expected an argument—she always seemed to have an opinion—but her only response was “Okay.”

As Asher guided the motorcycle down the winding road toward the distant glow of civilization, he felt a rush of relief.

Millerville turned out to be little more than a crossroads with a few buildings clustered around it. They passed a fast-food restaurant. Right beyond that, the gas station’s fluorescent lights cast an eerie blue-white glow over the wet pavement and deserted gas pumps. Asher pulled in and cut the engine.

“Thank God,” Cici murmured as she dismounted. She peeled off her helmet and shook out her hair, a wavy mass of strawberry blond that, even after hours matted to her head, still managed to look good.

Asher surveyed the gas station with its dim interior lights. “Let’s fill up and use the restroom.”

“I need to stretch anyway.” She did, raising her hands and arching like a kitten.

He looked away. He needed to keep his focus on the task, not on the too-distracting woman who had no idea how she affected him.

While Asher filled the tank, Cici headed inside. He watched her through the window as she spoke to a clerk, who pointed toward the back of the store. When she disappeared from view, Asher scanned their surroundings, the habit so ingrained he hardly realized he was doing it. The road remained empty, only puddles reflecting the station’s harsh lights.

Once the tank was full, he pushed the bike to a parking spot and followed her inside.

When he emerged from the bathroom, Cici was waiting by the door.

“There’s food next door,” he said as they stepped outside in the cool evening. The thought of fried chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy had his stomach growling. “We should grab something.”

Cici glanced at her watch. “We’re so close. We had lunch?—”

“Hours ago.”

Her lips pursed. “Couldn’t we just push through?”

Maybeshecould, but he was the one behind the wheel. “I can’t drive safely if I’m running on empty. And I can’t exactly munch a snack while we’re on the road.”

She looked between him and the restaurant, then sighed. “Twenty minutes won’t make much difference at this point.”

They dashed across the parking lot, hunched against the drizzle that had started up again. Though cars snaked around the restaurant for the drive-through line, the dining room was nearly empty—just an older couple in one booth. The fluorescentlighting made Cici’s skin look pale, the shadows under her eyes more pronounced. She needed rest. They both did.

They ordered quickly—fried chicken and all the fixings for him, a grilled chicken sandwich for her. They filled their cups with ice and soda.

“Smells like heaven in a cardboard box.” Asher slid into a booth in the corner, where he could keep an eye on the door. They unwrapped their food, and he took a bite that had him moaning with satisfaction. What was it about fast-food fried chicken that tasted so good?

Lard, probably, but he wasn’t going to worry about that.

Cici removed pickles with the very tips of her fingers, as if just touching them turned her stomach, then nibbled the edge of her sandwich. “Should we check in with Alyssa? See what she’s learned?”

“Good idea.” He pulled out a burner phone and handed it over.

Cici dialed her sister and put the call on speaker before setting the phone between them.