by Lisa Boone
Holly followed his gaze. “Looking for someone?”
“Sarah.”
“I think I saw her heading for the ladies’ room a few seconds ago.” Smiling, she backed away from him giving him some space. “You know, I’ve got to hand it to Sarah. She does work fast,” she said with a chuckle.
“What do you mean?”
“Hmm? Oh nothing. Nathan told me what happened to her last night and surprise surprise, here you are back at her side just like she predicted.” She sighed. “I guess this means I need to pay up.”
Jamie frowned. “Pay up?”
Holly laughed lightly. “Oh, we were taking bets on how quickly you’d run back to her if something bad happened and here you are.” When she saw his frown deepen, she laid her hand on his arm reassuringly. “Oh, we were just having some fun. You know, trying to lighten the atmosphere. I didn’t think you would, but Sarah was convinced you’d rush to her side.” She patted his arm. “You’re such a sweetheart. Robin used to love that about you. She used to say that she always felt safe around you.” Her fingers tightened around his wrist for a moment before sliding away. “Sarah likes to keep you around for that same reason. Although,” Holly said looking around distractedly, “she’ll be happy when this is all over and won’t need you anymore.”
Jamie felt his chest tighten. “Did she say that?”
Holly, seemingly disinterested by the conversation, turned around in her seat and looked around the room. Spying someone in the corner of the room, she smiled brightly and waved her hand, starting to rise.
Jamie touched her arm bringing her attention back to him. He didn’t want to hear what she had to say, but he couldn’t stop himself. “When did she say that?” he asked, wondering if it was something Sarah said recently, hoping it wasn’t.
“Oh, she didn’t actually say that,” Holly said, “at least not in those exact words.”
“Well, what words did she use?”
Holly appeared conflicted as she gnawed on her bottom lip. “I hate to say anything.” She moved closer. “Look, it’s not true what Brian said… is it?”
“I don’t know. What did Brian say?”
She hesitated for a moment before shaking her head and moving to the edge of the booth. “Uh, no, look, it was nice seeing you, Jamie. I really—”
“No, wait, don’t go,” he said taking her hand and pulling her back. “What did Brian say?”
She hesitated for a moment before saying, “He told everyone that you were in love with her. That you fell in love with her after you spent all that time guarding her last year. I didn’t believe it because, well, Brian lies.”
“Brian’s been telling everyone that I’m in love with Sarah?” Jamie’s hands clenched. “What else has Brian been saying?”
“That you’d do anything for her. That you’re crazy for her.” Her brow furrowed. “That’s not really true, is it? You don’t really care for her, right?” Her smile fell when she noticed the hurt expression on his face. “Oh dear, I’m so sorry.” She looked embarrassed. “Um, I made a horrible mistake here.” She started to slide away but he held her wrist.
“Wait, please don’t go.”
“Jamie …” She closed her eyes for a moment as though she was suddenly in pain. When she opened them, she turned to him with a sad expression on her face. “I guess if you really love her then … I think you should know what Sarah’s been saying behind your back. I owe you that much, for old time’s sake at least.”
Jamie steeled himself, tamping down his emotions, the way he taught himself when he was teenager. The way he always did when he knew something was about to hurt him. He forced a smile to his face. “It’s all right, Holly, you can tell me. Sarah and I just have a business relationship, nothing more. I don’t know what Brian was talking about.”
Holly looked relieved as she placed a hand to her heart. “Oh, I can’t tell you how relieved I am,” she said blowing out her breath. “Well, that’s such a relief.”
“What did Sarah say about me?” Masochist, he thought to himself.
Holly leaned into him, until her head was only inches away. She looked over her shoulder before saying, “Now promise me you won’t tell her I told you.”
“You have my word.”
“She’s …” A distressed look crossed her pretty face. “She’s using you,” she admitted softly. “Please don’t be angry with her. She’s not doing it to be mean. She’s scared to death and she thinks if she’s nice to you, you’d be more willing to protect her.”
“Well that’s—” He pressed his lips together as his throat closed up on him. His vision blurred and he blinked, angry with himself for starting to believe she actually cared. “That’s stupid,” he said softly, when he could finally trust himself to speak clearly. “She doesn’t have to do that. I told her I’d watch out for her.”
“Well, she’s like that.” Holly laid her hand on his arm. “Please don’t be too upset with her. It’s not like she doesn’t like you, because she does like you. She just feels so sorry for you.” Holly touched his arm again. “I tried to tell her that you are a grown man and didn’t need her pity—”
He winced.
“—but Sarah’s got a soft heart. She’s such a sweetheart.” Holly fell silent. When he didn’t say anything, she added in a baffled tone of voice, “I don’t know why she continues to work at this place. She has a college education and money in savings. A new boyfriend too.”
Jamie sunk down into the booth feeling as if someone had just sucked all the energy out of his body. He stared at the tabletop, his heart breaking in two, as Holly rambled on.
“Although she denies it when we tease her about him,” Holly continued, seemingly oblivious to Jamie’s distress. “A lawyer I think, or maybe he’s a doctor, I can’t quite remember. I know her family is quite fond of him. He’s rather wealthy. Comes from a good family. If they married, Sarah would never have to worry about a thing.” She squeezed his arm one last time before sliding out of the booth. “It would be better for her if she married him and left this place. At least she’d be safer. Well, I better get back to work.” She paused, a strange expression on her face. “I hope I didn’t say anything to upset you—”
He automatically shook his head.
“—but I felt I had to. Robin would have wanted me to say something to you about it.” For a moment, the corners of her mouth turned up in amusement and she quickly hid her face. When she turned back to him, it was with a far friendlier expression. “Bye Jamie. It was really good seeing you again. Maybe I’ll see you at Bellemeade later.”
“Uh, yeah, sure,” he said distractedly still trying to get control of his emotions. “Bye Holly. Thanks for letting me know.”
“My pleasure.”
Once Holly was gone, he turned his attention to the dining room, searching for Sarah. He found her standing near the front waiting on a table. She glanced toward him suddenly, a smile on her beautiful face.
He looked around the room. Suddenly, the noise from the people around him and the music playing from the jukebox became too much for him. He slid out of the booth and raced for the front door, ignoring the concerned look Sarah gave him as he rushed outside. He walked to the lamppost trying to control his emotions, angry with himself for letting this happen.
She was afraid and needed his help. That’s all it was. That’s all it ever was.
He closed his eyes, cursing himself for his gullibility. It was stupid to believe it was ever going to be any different from this.
There was a moment a few weeks ago when he had convinced himself he could change for her. Maybe turn himself into someone she could respect. He bought new clothes, cleaned himself up and started thinking about the future for the first time in a long time. Even going as far as looking at colleges he could attend.
He thought he could start over and come back a new man but he was a fool. Nothing changed. Nothing ever would.
This was for the best, he decided, shoving his hands into his coa
t pockets. Better to find out now that it wasn’t real than later. He closed his eyes again wondering why he was surprised. He knew this was going to happen from the beginning. After all, how could she possibly love someone like him?
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Sarah looked out the pub window towards Jamie. A worried knot began to grow in her stomach as he pointedly avoided her eyes.
“I know I said an hour,” Nathan said from behind her, “but can you stick around for another thirty minutes? I got hold of Paula and she said she can finish out the night. She’ll be here soon.”
Sarah promised that she would as long as she could have a break. She was outside less than a minute later, standing next to Jamie.
She rubbed her arms as she approached. “It’s freezing out here,” she said with a smile.
He didn’t respond at first. Didn’t even look at her as she shivered. “It’s not so bad,” he eventually said softly.
She stepped closer to him, her hands reaching for his waist. “I think—” She froze, the smile immediately falling from her face as he stiffened and moved back against the lamppost. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” He glanced over at the pub. “Nothing’s wrong.”
She stood there, her heart beating faster as he looked everywhere but at her. “Then why won’t you look at me?”
He turned his attention back towards her.
She returned her hands to her arms, feeling colder now than when she first stepped outside.
“You should go inside where it’s warm,” he said.
“I thought …” She bit her lip. “I thought you were supposed to protect me.”
“I am protecting you.”
“How can you protect me if I’m all the way in there and you’re all the way out here?”
“I’m not that far away.”
“It feels like it.”
“Don’t worry, Sarah. I’m not going to let anything happen to you. You’ll be fine. Everything will be fine. Just go back inside.”
“If something’s wrong, I really wish you would tell me.”
He turned his attention to the street.
She narrowed her eyes, gesturing toward the pub. “Did Holly say something to upset you? I saw you two talking in there. What did she say to you?” When he didn’t answer, she said, “You know friends talk to one another.”
He tiredly rubbed a hand across his face. “Sarah, you want me to protect you and that’s what I’m doing. Look, Baby Doll, you’ve got a very dangerous man after you and I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to be distracted right now.”
“Distracted?” Was that all he was worried about? She grinned, suddenly feeling more at ease. “Am I distracting you?” she asked teasingly taking a step closer to him.
“Yes, you are,” he said softly, “and I don’t like it, so please stop.”
Sarah winced in reaction.
“When you get ready to leave, let me know,” he added gently, “and I’ll make sure you get home safely. Okay?”
She felt tears prick the back of her eyelids and blinked them away. The last thing she wanted was to cry in front of him. “I don’t understand this, Jamie. One minute you’re warm and loving and the next you’re cold and standoffish. I don’t know where I stand with you. Do you like me? Do you not like me? Do you want me around? Do you want me to leave?”
“Sarah, baby, things are getting way too complicated for me.”
She sighed.
“Look, I’ve tried being with girls like you,” he continued. “It never works out.”
“Girls like me?” She crossed her arms. “Tell me something. Is there an item number for girls like me? What do you do? Order us out of a catalog?”
“I’m just saying it’s fun for a while, but you’ll come to your senses sooner or later. Your type always does.”
“You know, I would appreciate it if you would stop lumping me together with every girl that’s broken your heart.”
“No one’s broke my heart, sweetheart, and no one will.”
“No, I’m sure you’ll make sure of that,” she said.
“People leave me, Sarah,” he said harshly. “They all leave. I’ve never left anyone, but they all leave me and you will too.”
“Only if you push me away. I don’t get this. Everything was going so well, so would you please explain what happened because I don’t like playing these games.”
“I’m not the one playing games,” he said softly.
She narrowed her eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.” He looked around helplessly. “Why are we fighting? I’m not going anywhere. I’m still going to protect you. That hasn’t changed. I just need some space.”
“Fine, take as much space as you want.” She spun on her heel, heading for the pub. “How about you—” She stopped, the angry retort dying on her lips, when she noticed Holly standing at the window watching them with a self-satisfied smile on her face.
Catching Sarah staring at her, Holly wiped her face of all expression and turned away from the window.
“I’ll be right back,” Sarah promised striding toward the door.
She caught up to Holly near the kitchen. “What did you say to Jamie?”
The corner of Holly’s mouth turned up. “Nothing. Why?”
“You seem particularly pleased with yourself,” Sarah said. “I figure there must be a reason for that.”
Holly looked at her in surprise. “Do I?” She appeared to consider that statement. “I guess you’re right. I am pleased. I just had a nice long chat with a dear old friend.”
“Dear old friend,” Sarah scoffed. “You called him a cold blooded murderer just yesterday.”
“I guess I had a change of heart.”
“I somehow doubt that. What did you say to him?”
“I only told him the truth.”
“The truth?” Sarah crossed her arms. “What truth?”
“You’re better than him.” Holly’s mouth curled in distaste. “Or at least I thought so at one time, but if you keep defending him, I might have to reevaluate my assessment. It was ridiculously easy to convince him that you didn’t love him. He always did have such a poor opinion of himself. Good luck trying to convince him that I lied. He’ll never believe you.”
“How can you be so cruel?” Sarah asked angrily.
Holly’s face turned purple with rage and she quickly closed the distance between them.
Sarah tensed, ready to push the other girl back if she came any closer.
Breathing heavily, Holly thrust her finger in Sarah’s face. “Cruel? You think I’m cruel?” Her gaze flickered towards the kitchen door as Emily stepped out.
Emily paused and looked at Sarah and Holly curiously, as she shifted the tray in her hand. “Is everything all right?”
Stepping back, Holly took a deep breath. Once her breathing was under control she said, “You haven’t seen cruelty yet. Jamie is going to pay for what he did to Robin.” Her gaze bore into Sarah’s as her voice lowered. “I will make it my mission to make sure he pays for the rest of his miserable worthless life and if you keep defending him, you’ll pay too.”
“Holly, Jamie didn’t kill Robin,” Sarah said. “Someone else did and—”
Holly snorted as she untied the black apron around her waist. She thrust the garment into Sarah’s chest, causing her to rock back a step. “I’m out of here.”
Emily’s mouth dropped in horror. “What? You can’t leave. We’re shorthanded as it is.”
Holly casually tossed her hair over her shoulder. “Why not? I suddenly don’t feel well.” She gave Sarah a contemptuous look. “This place is making me sick to my stomach. Besides,” she called out over her shoulder as she sauntered towards the back door, “we’re not that full. I’m sure you two can handle it just fine.”
“Thanks,” Emily called out in irritation. “Thanks a lot.” She turned to Sarah as the door closed behind Holly. “She’s crazy,” Emily said. “Completely nuts. I
f I were you I’d stay away from her.”
Sarah sighed as she folded Holly’s apron and followed Emily into the dining room, her eyes automatically turning to the window looking for Jamie. She slowed to a stop, her gaze searching for him along the empty street. An anxious feeling spread through her. Did he leave? Did Holly upset him that much that he’d leave her alone and unguarded?
She turned a circle in the dining room, her worry growing until she finally found him standing at the end of the bar staring at her.
She let out a relieved breath. She started to raise her hand to wave at him when he turned his head and looked away.
She let her hand drop.
“Miss?”
Sarah glanced over her shoulder. The man Danny had called the Magician was sitting a few feet away from her. He held up his empty glass.
Sarah plastered a polite smile to her face as she approached.
“I seem to have lost my waitress,” he said in wry amusement. “I don’t suppose you’ve seen her? I think her name was Holly.”
She felt a sudden unexplainable pricking of unease and a worrisome knot formed in her stomach, as he spoke. “I’m afraid she … wasn’t feeling too well. I’d be happy to serve you,” she said pushing the feeling aside for the moment. “What were you drinking?”
“Scotch, but actually, I’ve changed my mind and would like to order something to eat. Could I see the menu again?”
“Absolutely,” she said. “I’ll be right back,” she said before turning around. She paused, catching Jamie staring at her with a strange look on his face. Her breath caught in her throat and she took an automatic step back, wondering what Holly had said to put such a dangerous look in his eyes. She started to turn away, when his gaze left her and shifted towards her customer. She watched Jamie out of the corner of her eye push away from the bar and move to an empty table next to the Magician as she retrieved a menu.
Trying to ignore the strange way that Jamie was acting, Sarah forced a smile to her face as she rattled off the day’s specials.
The Magician smiled at her suddenly, his lips stretching across his face without humor while his eyes hardened. It was a cruel sort of smile that put Sarah instantly on edge.
