Page 32 of Estranged Heart

My phone rings and a lump forms in my throat when I see Stacey’s name on the screen. Answering the call, I walk inside and place my empty cup in the sink.

“Silas?”

“Where are you? Did you even come home?”

“No,” she says, her voice shaky. She sounds exhausted. “I had to stay later than expected. I’m sorry, babe. I ended up sleeping in my car for a few hours in between shifts. I’m visiting my sister and then I’ll be home.”

“You need to rest some more. A nap in your car isn’t going to do it.”

“Oh, so now you’re worrying about me?”

Huffing out a breath, I move the phone to my other ear. “I always worry about you. Maybe I’m not as vocal about it as you are but I like knowing you’re okay too.”

“I am. I promise. I’ll nap again at Lisa’s before the long drive back home. Should be home in time for dinner so order something good for us to eat.”

Sighing, I sit in one of the chairs at the table. “Pizza or Chinese?”

“Hmmm. Chinese. Orange chicken and fried rice.”

“That’s what I was gonna get.”

“Good. It’ll keep you out of my food. You know I’m not one for sharing,” she says between laughs.

“Oh, I’m aware. Doesn’t stop me from trying though.”

She laughs again and lets out a yawn. “I’ll call you when I’m on my way home.”

“Sounds good. Have a good time.”

“Love you, see you later,” she says almost too fast.

“Love you too.” I hear a man say her name before the call ends. Weird. Lisa isn’t married and lives alone. Maybe a neighbor? Or another friend?

Not wanting to imagine the worst, I clean the house to keep my mind busy. When everything is spotless, I go over it again and reorganize the drawers. This sudden burst of energy has me more on edge and nothing I do wavers it. Not the movie I watch, the walk I take around the block, or the book I read. Unable to take the restlessness inside any longer, I grab my keys and drive to the bookstore. The words “The Drunk Librarian” are lit up on the sign. Elijah is inside organizing books, and only two other people are in the store with him. Both are shopping, with only one holding a glass of wine. Staying in the car, I watch him, gripping the door to keep from opening it. I duck when he shoots a glance my way. Did he see me? My windows are tinted and he might’ve been looking somewhere else.

Slowly sitting up, I look toward the store and he’s nowhere in view. Good. Sighing in relief, I reach for my phone and place an order online at one of Stacey’s favorite restaurants. A knock at the window has me jumping in my seat as I’m finishing up. Elijah tilts his head, gesturing for me to roll down the window. I shake my head.

His forehead wrinkles and he attempts to open the door before knocking on the glass again. “Open the door,” he mouths.

Taking a deep breath, I unlock the door and he yanks it open. “What are you doing here?”

“I . . . I don’t know,” I rasp out.

“You sure about that?”

Shaking my head, I swallow down the thickness in my throat. “I don’t know,” I say again.

Stepping closer, he places a hand on my cheek. “You rushed away from me at the lake yesterday and now you’re parkedoutside my store. I’m going to ask again. What are you doing here?”

“I . . . It’s stupid,” I say.

“Try me.”

“I wanted . . .” I lick my lips looking everywhere but him.

“Yes?” He tugs at my face, forcing my eyes to meet his. “What do you want?”

“I wanted to see if kissing you again would feel as good as the first time.”