Jared frowned. “I heard him tell me to hand you total control.”
I smiled. “And I heard you say you would.”
Jared nodded, clearly frustrated. “I know. I will.” He took my hand and led me to the Escalade. I shot him a warning glare, and he winced. “I swear.”
“I don’t think he means that I should lead the operation. My love for our child will keep it safe. I take that as a good thing, and it sounds very simple.”
“Too simple. I don’t want you thinking we’re going to land and take a taxi to the Sepulchre and everything work out as planned. It’s going to get messy, very fast.”
I squeezed his hand. “We can do it. We have to.”
Jared took my face in his hands and pressed his lips against mine. I grabbed his blue T-shirt in each of my fists and pulled him closer. My stomach kept us farther apart than usual, but I was as close as I could get for the moment.
“Whoa!” Jared said, backing away.
I grabbed my stomach and laughed. “You felt that?”
“Of course I did. Think Bean’s trying to tell us something?”
“That we’re grossing him out?”
Jared opened my door and helped me in. “Oh, now it’s him?”
“I don’t know,” I said. “I’m playing around with both.”
Jared shut the door and in the next moment, slid into his seat. He shoved the shift into gear and then pulled away, a residual smile on his face.
I leaned over and hugged his arm, leaning my head on his shoulder. For the first time in a long time, tomorrow didn’t seem so ominous. Eli gave us all a bit of hope.
My cell phone rang, and I fished it from my purse, reading the display. “Hi, Beth,” I said.
“How long have you been in town?”
“A few hours. I know I said I would come over. We had to see Lillian and Cynthia, first.”
“Okay, I get that, but you could have at least called!”
I frowned. I was failing right and left at friendship. “Okay. Let me make it up to you. I’ll meet you at the pub in twenty minutes.”
“The pub? Really?”
“Yes. I’m sure you need a drink. I’ll call Ryan and Claire. They can meet us there.”
“Just like old times!” Beth squealed. “I’ll tell Chad!”
I dropped the phone into my purse and smiled. “She hung up on me.”
Jared frowned. “Do you think it’s wise to meet in a public place after the day we just had?”
I looked out the window. “This is my town. I dare them.”
Jared chuckled, and then took my hand, kissing my fingers. “You’re very attractive when you’re feisty.”
I grinned over his compliment, and watched Providence pass by as we made our way to the pub. Once in a while I would sneak glances at him. Jared hadn’t changed much since we met. He was still the tall, blond, movie-star-handsome man that sat next to me on the bench almost three years before. His chest and arm muscles still caught my eye when they moved and flexed under his shirt; his blue-gray eyes still made me pause. Life couldn’t have spiraled out of control anymore than it had, but I wouldn’t trade it. A different life didn’t even appeal to me at that point. Despite that we were about to run for our lives, I had everything I’d ever wanted, with a man I loved desperately. Was the danger, stress, and fear worth it? Damn right it was.
The neighborhood around the pub had deteriorated since my freshman year. The streets seemed darker, and instead of college students congregating outside the front door, those loitering were much older, wearing sad stories on their faces. Jared pulled into the parking lot across the street. Nearly hopscotching my way around the puddles in the road, I ignored the stares of those standing outside, and led Jared into the pub. Tozzi was no longer behind the bar. In his place was a large woman with long, yellow hair. She didn’t greet us when we came in.
“New management, I’m guessing,” Jared said as we found a table. “I guess Beth hasn’t been here lately, either, or she would have said something.”
“It’s a shame. Some of my favorite Brown memories are of this place.”
Jared put his elbows on the table and settled in, smiling. “You mean the first night we danced?”
I rested my cheek on the palm of my hand, shooting a flirtatious smile across the table. “That’s exactly what I was referring to, yes.”
The music was loud, so I resorted to texting Beth to see if she wanted to meet elsewhere. I felt safe anywhere if I was with Jared. Although Chad was no pipsqueak, I couldn’t imagine she would be comfortable here.
Seconds after I sent the text, Beth and Chad pushed through the door. Beth’s eyes were wide as she looked around, and only slightly relieved when she recognized Jared and me. She waved at us, and then pulled Chad hastily across the room to our little corner.
“What in the hell happened to this place?” she said.
I leaned into the table. “Do you want to leave?”
“Why?” Chad said, puffing up his chest. “I’m ready for a beer.”