The One He Never Held novel · Chapter 5 of 24

Chapter 5: Rain

It was raining again when I got back to the café at eleven.

Tim had locked up and gone home to his own place two blocks away.

The lights were off, and the chairs were upside down on the tables.

Someone was sitting on the front step under the dripping awning.

I knew the shape of his shoulders before I saw his face.

"Damian."

He stood up too fast. His coat was black with water, and his lips were pale.

"How long have you been out here?"

"Since you left dinner." He tried to smile. "I followed you. Then I thought you wouldn't want me to come in."

"It's been two hours."

"I know. I didn't want to knock."

I unlocked the door.

When I pushed it open, he put his palm flat on the glass to hold it for me.

The cracked pane gave way.

He hissed through his teeth and pulled back.

Blood ran down the inside of his wrist and dripped on the mat.

"Inside," I said. "Now."

I turned on the light over the counter and sat him on a stool.

I found the first aid kit under the register. My hands knew where it was without my thinking.

"Give me your hand."

He held it out, palm up.

The cut ran from the base of his thumb halfway across, shallow but long.

A sliver of glass was still caught at the end of it.

I took his wrist in my left hand and the tweezers in my right.

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