Widow's Secrets by Shelley Shepard Gray

Author:Shelley Shepard Gray
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-05-19T14:09:58+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

“I can’t believe you talked me into this,” Liana said a week after their dinner at Panjo’s. After several days of exchanging texts, phone calls and even one quick breakfast at the diner, he’d convinced her to do something she never thought she would—attend one of her gallery showings at Gallery One.

“I didn’t talk you into anything,” Kent said. “You made up your mind on your own.”

“Not exactly.” Folding her hands together in her lap, she added, “I seem to remember you making me feel pretty guilty about always refusing Serena.”

After changing lanes a couple of times on the highway, he darted a smile her way. “All I did was point out that this evening could be fun.” When she coughed, he added, “And that Serena would probably be extremely grateful for your presence.”

Though she knew that Serena was grateful, Liana doubted she was going to find any part of the evening fun. That said, she thought she might feel pretty proud of herself. She needed to take more chances and have more confidence in herself. Going to this party would be another step in the right direction.

When Liana didn’t say anything for several seconds, Kent’s teasing grin faded. “Wait, you really don’t want to go, do you?”

“I really don’t, Kent. But you knew that.”

He flicked on his turn signal and started moving toward the exit. She held on for her life. “What are you doing? And by the way, do all cops drive like you?”

“I’m taking the next exit. We’ll go do something else.” Glancing at her again, he chuckled. “And yes. Most of the cops I know drive like this. It’s part of the job.”

Realizing that he was being completely serious, she glared at him. “Wait! We can’t back out. Serena would kill me. And I didn’t realize putting your life on the line on the highway was a requirement for employment.”

“Most cops have put hours and hours on duty on the highways. We’re pretty comfortable there.” He switched lanes again. “You can blame your absence on me, Liana. Tell Serena I changed my mind or that something came up and I couldn’t attend.”

“I’m not going to blame anything on you.”

“You can if you’d like. After all, I’m the one who pushed you to do this in the first place. It wasn’t right and I should’ve respected your wishes more.”

“No, I’m going to do this.” If she backed out now she’d never forgive herself.

Kent glanced at her again. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.” She meant it, too. “I just don’t like crowds. Or strangers.”

“No kidding?”

Liana attempted to look affronted, but really all she could think was that she was comfortable with him. Here they were, having two conversations at the same time and joking while they were doing it. That wasn’t anything she was used to—but she couldn’t deny that she was enjoying every minute of it.

Fifteen minutes later Kent pulled into one of the last spots in the parking lot. It was off to the side, but it did afford her a view through one of the large plate-glass windows.

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