Her expression had been blank.

She hadn’t been scared at all.

12

ELIZABETH

WHEN I WALKED INTO MERV’S THE NEXT day, two days after my meltdown, I had the prickly sensation that everyone was staring at me but also trying not to make eye contact.

Heat spread across my cheeks and down my neck, and I considered quitting on the spot. Merv had a stack of applications in his office. He could find someone to replace me.

But then I considered what it would feel like to spend the rest of the summer in my bedroom, worrying about what people thought of me, and decided that was a far worse fate than facing everyone.

When Chloe spotted me, she followed me to the break room. “I’m so glad you’re back.” She dropped into one of the metal folding chairs and massaged her temple. “I couldn’t stand another day without you.”

“You don’t look that good,” I said.

She waved me off. “It’s just a headache. It’s this place, I swear it.”

“So.” I turned to face her. “Is everyone talking about what happened the other night?”

“Does it matter?”

“Yes.”

The chair squawked when she pushed it back and stood up to face me. “No, it doesn’t. Just keep your chin up and remember that you are better than half of the losers who work here. Including me.”

I laughed and instantly felt a million times better. “Thanks.”

She patted my shoulder and pulled away. “I think you’ll also be happy to hear we had a guy ask for one of your tables, specifically. And when I told him you weren’t here yet, he said he’d wait.” She waggled her eyebrows. “Might be a big tip for you!”

She bounced off, her chandelier earrings swinging.

After dropping my bag in my locker and tying on my apron, I went out front to see who’d asked for my section. I saw a dark-haired guy sitting in booth fourteen, his back to me.

My stomach sank.

I knew exactly who that was.

I went over to the table, order pad in hand. “Hello, Dr. Sedwick.”

“Elizabeth!” He turned slightly in the booth to face me, his hands folded on the table. He wasn’t in his usual therapist clothes. Instead he wore athletic shorts and a blue T-shirt. He was young for a therapist, I thought, but Aggie had recommended him, and I’d trusted her opinion. She’d been right. Dr. Sedwick didn’t have that monotone voice the therapists I’d seen in the past had. He didn’t nod and scribble, nod and scribble. Our sessions were more of a conversation, and I’d come to think of him as a friend over the past few months.

That didn’t mean I was happy to see him. Especially not today, two days after a meltdown.

“Aggie called you, didn’t she?” I asked.

Dr. Sedwick kept his expression easy, casual, as he unfolded his hands. “Can’t a guy get lunch without there being a reason behind it other than hunger?”

I frowned, not buying it.

“Okay.” He held up his hand, admitting defeat. “Yes, she called me. But I’m not here on official business. I’m just a concerned friend checking in. Also, I do happen to be craving a burger.”

“Well,” I started, smiling despite myself, “I recommend the bacon-wrapped burger. It’s quite good.”

He raised a brow. “Oh? Well, then I’ll have that. With a Heineken, please.”

“Beer before noon? My therapist would not approve of that.”

He chuckled. “Tell your therapist I promise only to have one and no more.”

I hurried off to the bar to place the drink order. My heart thudded against my ribs when I saw Evan behind the bar. He wasn’t supposed to be working today. He’d had the next two days off, which was one of the reasons I’d decided to come back today.

I stood there, frozen in the middle of the restaurant for far too long, until Evan caught sight of me and his eyes softened. Come here, he mouthed, before sliding a drink down the bar top to a forty-something woman who whistled appreciatively in return.

I came to the corner of the bar and stopped. My stomach tossed and turned. Sweat welled on my fingertips.

“Hey,” Evan said, and came closer. “How are you?”

Discomfort and embarrassment had me looking at the floor, at my white Converse, dirt smudged across the fronts. I wouldn’t blame Evan for running away. I wanted to run away.

“Lissy?” he said.

“I’m okay,” I answered quickly and cleared my throat, trying to dislodge the overwhelming lump rising higher and higher. “I’m good.”

He cocked his head and frowned. “You sure? Was… what happened… was it something I did? I keep thinking about that night, and what I could have done to make you… I don’t know. I shouldn’t have left you alone in the middle of the woods in the first place. I’m sorry.”

I looked up. The expression on Evan’s face was one of genuine concern. There was no hint of mockery.

“It really had nothing to do with you,” I answered. “I promise.”

I’m the one screwed up.

“Still.” He reached over and set a hand on my shoulder, squeezing lightly. “If you need to talk or whatever, I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”

I sucked in a breath. That hadn’t been how I’d imagined this conversation going. Actually, I hadn’t really expected us to have a conversation at all.

The tension in my back dissipated, and my shoulders slumped. “Thanks, Evan. Really. It means a lot.”