Halos by Kristen Heitzmann

Author:Kristen Heitzmann [Heitzmann, Kristen]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: ebook
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2004-08-18T20:00:00+00:00

Twenty

STEVE WAS BACK TO GROWLING, Alessi noted the next day. After grousing at her all morning, he responded to her current question with a sarcastic, “Can’t you read my mind?” He was either a sore loser or had something on his mind she didn’t want to read. “If you ever looked away from your monitor I might.”

He turned and glared. Definitely moody today. “What was your question?”

She repeated it.

He took the three books she held, checked the codes, and expelled his breath. He took out the slips and threw them away, then penciled the correct codes and held the books out. “Thank you for catching that.”

“You’re welcome.” She turned.

“How did you do it last night?”

“Do what?”

“Know the right answers.”

She clutched the books to her chest. “Lucky guessing.”

“Hah.”

There he was, calling her a liar again. She started toward the correct shelf for the recoded books, but he caught her arm.

“Look at me.” What on earth?

“Guess what I’m thinking.”

“I can’t.” She pulled her arm free. “But I could sure say how you’re feeling.”

“How?”

“Angry. Resentful.”

He looked away. “That’s only what you see.”

“I’m not psychic, just observant. You’re not comfortable with untruth.”

“As you are?” He scissored her spirit.

For a while there she had thought he might believe her. Now she realized she had only wished it.

He dropped his hands to his lap. “I don’t like someone thinking she knows what’s in my head.”

“Then you shouldn’t play guessing games.”

He scowled. “It was about words, definitions. You’re the one who took it further.”

So he was a bad loser. “Sorry.”

“I’m not looking for an apology. I just want to know my mind’s safe from you.”

And they were back to that. She set down the books, took the register keys from her wrist, and laid them on his desk. “There. You’re safe from me.” She started for the door. She could use the day to find her car, and by nightfall …

“Alessi.” He caught her arm. “I’m sorry.”

She closed her eyes. Seventy-seven times. But this wasn’t about forgiveness. It was about self-preservation. She had promised herself never again to stay where she wasn’t wanted.

“It’s not my best day.” He admitted this last under his breath, which made it somehow more believable.

“We all have bad days.”

“Do we? Have you ever had a bad day?”

Her throat tightened. That recitation would take way too long.

“The one when my car was taken didn’t exactly shine.”

“And did you snap and growl at everyone?”

She shook her head. “I think I was too stunned.”

“You’re too nice. That’s the thing. No one believes it.”

“Guess I’ll work on my act.” She tugged her elbow out of his grip and tried again for the door. There were only so many times she could—

“Wait. I don’t mean that. You are nice.”

“I’m not fishing for compliments.” She reached the door. He blocked it. “We had a deal.”

She dug into her pocket and pulled out the money. She had earned part of it, but she didn’t want his money.

Someone tried to come in, but Steve barked, “I’m closed,” and pressed the door shut again.

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