“You’re cute,” she said with a sweet smile, which made his chest swell. If he could keep her smiling with cheesy jokes, they would be A-okay.
He picked up a piece of onion, eager to finish his food and get to Babe’s house. His stir-fry had gotten cold, but it tasted better than any food he’d eaten in the last couple of days, including Babe’s wonderful pancakes.
*
“Selina,” Babe said, her neutral voice a sure indication that she was worried, “let’s go into the kitchen and pack you some food for the car trip.”
Selina dutifully stood and followed Babe out of the living room. They hadn’t even crossed the threshold into the other room when she whipped her body around. “What are you thinking?” her boss and friend hissed.
Selina glanced over her shoulder to where Marc sat on the floral couch under the painting of a craggy mountain, an icy lake, and the clear blue sky of a perfect Idaho summer day. He had to know that they were talking about him, and he could probably guess that Babe was questioning Selina’s judgment. But he wasn’t fidgeting and didn’t otherwise seem nervous. He was just leaning against the back of the couch, his ankle resting on his knee, looking for all the world like a man at complete ease with himself and his situation.
Confident, which of course he had every right to be. Programming his app had probably been hard, but all the work had paid off. Marc had what Selina wanted: the knowledge that effort toward a goal brought results. Not more treading water.
She wasn’t sure where leaving for a spontaneous road trip with a stranger fell in her plans, but it got her out of this town. And that was an accomplishment in and of itself.
She turned back to face Babe’s concerned eyes. “Marc will take me to Salt Lake, and I’ll have a place to live for at least a week while I look for work. This isn’t how I’d planned to get out of Idaho, but it would be stupid to turn down the opportunity.”
Babe blinked several times. “You know nothing about this man. He might be a rapist. Or a murderer. Or worse.”
What could be worse than a rapist or a murder? Selina didn’t ask. She didn’t want to know how Babe would answer.
“Maybe,” she said, instead. “But he’s who he says he is. I’ve read the news articles, and they’re credible sources, too. And I need to be out of town the next time Gary gets drunk enough to forget that he’s supposed to be my stepfather.”
As she said the words, her palms got clammy and fear pounded in her ears. She’d been afraid of Gary before, but last night was the first time she’d felt honest-to-God terrified. Admitting it to herself didn’t calm her body down, but it made her feel better about her decision to run off with Marc. Yes, he was a stranger, and maybe he would snore or his farts would be unbearable, but never once had her gut flickered with fear, especially not for her safety.
Babe cocked her head, her eyes searching Selina’s face. “Okay. I know you need to be out of that house, and you want to be out of this town. Do you have money?”
Selina smiled with relief. “Yes. Some,” she corrected. “I have enough. What’s in my savings account right now should pay for rent for a couple months if I don’t get a job right away.” She was trying not to hang all her hopes on a job at the gallery. Practicality had to trump dreams. “I’ll be okay.”
Babe’s lips thinned. She didn’t look as though she thought this was a good idea, but at least she wasn’t arguing anymore. “Okay, then. You have my support. I’m not sure this is a good idea, but you’re clearly convinced it’s not a bad one and that’s good enough for me. You’ve always been a sensible girl. One of my oldest friends lives in Salt Lake, too. If you need help, give her a call.”
Selina’s heart leaped and bounded with joy before leaning in to Babe and giving her a big hug. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Selina hadn’t realized how much Babe’s approval and encouragement mattered until she was pressed against the woman’s soft bosom and wrapped in her tight embrace. Happy tears welled up in her eyes, quickly dampening Babe’s shirt.
“Are you crying?” Babe asked. She was sniffling, as well.
“Yes, but I’ll be okay. I’ll miss you. I’ll miss the diner.”
“I’ll miss you, too.” Babe patted her on the back. “Now let’s really get some snacks packed for your trip.”
They stayed in each other’s arms for several long moments, though, with Babe rubbing her hand along Selina’s back. Even though her boss’s hair was damp from an earlier shower, Selina could smell the diner grease under the sharp odor of Irish Spring soap. She took a deep breath, trying to memorize the scent, the feel of Babe’s arms, and the sound of her breathing. There wasn’t much about this place that she would miss, but Babe represented all of it.