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The next day, I went into town and stopped by Coburn’s. Oh, who was I kidding? Coburn’s was the only reason I went to town. I’d decided, just like every time I ever disagreed with someone I liked, I’d been out of line. I wanted to see if Della was still my friend.
When I pulled up at the store, Agent Stoltz’s SUV was sitting out front.
I could see Della through the front window laughing, her head thrown back in a full chortle while her hand rested on his arm. I snuck back to my truck and waited for almost half an hour before Stoltz pulled on to the highway. I walked to the store, opened the front door, and for the first time ever, felt I might not be welcome.
“Okay if I come in?”
“Of course it is, Abit. And why are you asking permission? Don’t tell me you’re sorry about speaking up. That negates what you accomplished.”
“When is Alex coming back?
“Why are you asking that?” I could sense her good cheer fading.
“Because he needs to get back here to save you from yourself.”
“Oh, stop that. And since when are you my keeper? Seriously, who are you to stand over me and criticize? I know I’ve gotten in your business a time or two, maybe more, but I was always looking out for your wellbeing.”
“That’s what I’m doing.”
“How?”
“Well, I love you. And I love Alex. And I don’t know what’s going on.”
“Nothing is going on. Even if it were, that would never affect our love for you—or, I hope, the other way around.”
“Yeah, but I love you together.”
I turned and slipped outta the store, back to the quiet of my truck and home.