I chuckled. “For some. I’m going down the block with some other teachers and will work at the coffee shop for a while. They have power. I can do my lesson plans. Mike said he would drive me there.” I paused. “I’ll be with others. He doesn’t have to stay.”
“Okay,” he agreed—far too easily for my liking. “But stay there until I pick you up. Do not leave, Raven. Understand?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll come around four to get you. That gives you three hours. Enough time?”
“Yes,” I said suspiciously.
“What?”
“You’re agreeing to this very calmly.”
“I know you’re covered. That’s all that matters.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll see you then. Don’t leave without me. Even if someone offers you a ride.”
“I won’t.”
He hung up, and I pursed my lips. He was acting far too agreeable. But I stood, took my bag, and met Mike in the office. He drove me to the coffee shop and walked inside with me, going to the counter to get some coffee to cover the reason he was here. He left with a wave once I sat with a couple of my coworkers. I felt oddly vulnerable. I hated the feeling intensely. Even moving from a small town, I had never felt this worried or scared. I disliked Andy for taking that away from me and, for an irrational moment, resented Damien for opening my eyes to the fact.
Except I realized I was being stupid. He had done nothing but help me. And he was amazing. I was lucky he had been the man who had met me at the door of the bar.
With a sigh, I stood up and got a coffee and a muffin. I noticed a man in the back, meeting his eyes briefly. He didn’t appear interested in me at all, yet for some reason, he made me nervous. He sipped his coffee, worked on his laptop, and ate a sandwich. He got a refill, not even sparing a glance in my direction, yet I felt his presence somehow. I shook my head at my worries, then got to work with my fellow teachers, all of us sharing ideas and talking about our students. Chelsea taught grade one and Meghan taught the other kindergarten class, so we often swapped plans and thoughts. Chelsea left about an hour after we got there, and Meghan and I chatted for another while until her husband texted her, saying he was headed home early. She smirked at her phone.
“Guess I know what he has on his mind,” she mumbled, not looking put out. “You want a lift home?”
“No, I’m good,” I replied, suddenly anxious.
“Okay. See you Monday.”
She left with a wave, and I glanced around. The coffee shop was quieter than when we arrived, most people leaving due to the rain. The man was still in the back, but his laptop was closed, and he was staring out the window. He looked relaxed and at ease, but somehow that made me even more uptight.
I texted Damien.
Me: Hi.
He replied quickly.
Damien: Raven—okay?
Me: Will you be coming soon?
Damien: What’s wrong?
Me: Probably nothing, but there is a man here, and something is making me nervous. He isn’t even looking at me, but I feel as if he is.
For a moment, there was no reply. I saw the man look at his phone, chuckle, then pick up his laptop, stand, and walk toward me. He stopped at my table and smiled.
“Check your messages,” he requested.
I looked at my screen.
Damien: That’s Leo. He’s with me, so you are safe. I’ll be there soon.
I glanced up and met Leo’s eyes. They were kind and warm.
“May I sit?”
“Sure.”
“What gave me away?”
“Nothing. I just am so tense, I think I noticed things that weren’t there.”
“And you made me.”
“Sorry.”
“No, it’s all good.” He held out his hand. “I’m Leo. I work with Damien at Elite. We run the company together.”
I gaped at him. “He sent his partner to babysit me?”
He chuckled. “He had meetings this afternoon, and I was free. It was nice to get out of the office for a while. And I wasn’t babysitting. I hire babysitters for my kids. I was watching over you as a favor.”
“That explains why Damien was so laid-back about me coming to a coffee shop.”
He steepled his fingers under his chin and studied me. “He was concerned. We are all aware of the situation, Raven. Andy is a man on the edge. None of us wants you around should he decide to cross that line. Damien would do the same for me. Any of us who work with him would.”
“He said he would be here shortly. I’m sure—”
He held up his hand. “Don’t insult me by finishing that remark. I am not leaving until the man himself shows up. It’s a great opportunity to get to know the woman who has driven my normally calm friend into a tizzy.” He grinned. “It’s kind of fun to watch, although I wish the circumstances were different.”
“You know him well?”
He nodded. “We’ve been coworkers a long time.”
“Do you have any dirt on him?”
He looked shocked. “I would never betray—”
“I bake cookies.”
His eyebrows flew up.
“I also love kids and would babysit.”
He covered his mouth with his hand, muffling his laughter. “Is that the way it’s gonna be?”
“I bake awesome cookies. And your kids will love me.”
He leaned forward. “One time in the office…” He paused.
I leaned closer. “I’m all ears.”
CHAPTER NINE
Damien
I walked into the coffee shop, spying Leo and Raven at a table. They were chatting, laughing, both looking relaxed. I rolled my shoulders, feeling relief that Raven was fine and grateful to Leo for being there. I studied her for a moment before heading to the table. She looked tired, but her spirits seemed to be good, so I was pleased.
She saw me walking toward her, and she smiled. Bright, wide, not hiding the fact that she was happy to see me. My heart thumped fast in my chest in reaction to her delighted expression. I bent and dropped a kiss to her cheek, then sat, extending my hand to Leo. “Thanks,” I said.
He grinned. “My pleasure. We had a great visit. Your woman is clever. She made me right away, not that I was trying to hide,” he added with a wink.
I glanced at Raven, who was shaking her head. “I was concerned,” I admitted. “Better safe than sorry. Even sitting with friends, Andy might approach you.”
She held up her hand. “I’m not upset. I appreciate it.”
“Good.”
“Besides, Leo is right. We had a lovely chat.”
“About?”
She tilted her head. “We were talking about his family.”
“And?”
She shrugged. “Maybe a few other things. That is private, Damien,” she said in her best teacher voice. “You don’t ask such personal questions.”
I grinned. “Yes, Ms. Raven.”