Cuts Like An Angel by Mason Sabre, Lucian Bane Page A

2? He hit send quickly. He’d been there many times alone; it was his place … his hiding place, but he wanted to share it with Rosie. Something had connected that day, that night on the phone, but there was something more now. Something last night when she had spoken to him.
    See you there. He smiled at her reply and stared at the words. See you there … She would. He slipped the phone back into his pocket.
    He couldn’t wait.
     
     

Chapter Ten
    Rosie
    Rosie pulled up at the Pepper Mill Café. “Be still my racing heart,” she whispered, glancing around casually. She only let her eyes graze the scenery to pick up the general scope. Hordes of people everywhere. Was that normal for a Saturday.
    “Okay, Rosie, this is it.” Glancing at herself in the rear-view mirror, she pushed her sunglasses onto her head. “Oh,” she said in surprise appreciation.  “That looks ...” Her smile disappeared when her ears stared back at her. “Whatever,” she muttered, yanking the shades back over her eyes and making sure her ears were well covered by her hair.  “There’s still plenty of sunshine for these.” She liked having them to hide behind. To spy around while appearing confident and carefree. Not caring who saw her. She was a secure, happy professional girl from America doing just fine in the Motherland.
    With a breath and a prayer, she shouldered her purse and grabbed the door handle, pausing. That damn obnoxious door hinge. She gave it a quick shove, keeping the bark to a small yelp. She purposely didn’t look around as she stood and shut the door. No need to lock it, the café was in plain view. Not that anybody would want to steal her hunk-a-junk bucket. As she readied herself for the great walk across the street, she went over the shit she’d read in her recent ’How To Look Successful When You’re A Loser’ book. Well, that wasn’t the title, but it might as well be.
    Putting a mild smile on her face—not too happy, just pleasantly at peace with life—she set out.  Look successful, act successful, talk successful, and believe you’re successful—others will believe it too. Right. Lie your ass off while smiling. No problem. Lie by day, confess by night. That wasn’t stressful in the least. 
    Rosie decided to appear like she was somebody with an appointment and purpose, since she was. She spied an empty two-person table outside the café and aimed for it. Ten feet out, a couple took it. Shit . She paused, looking around for another and realized she’d have to go inside.
    A horn beeped and she jumped. She was standing in the damn street. It wasn’t really a street, though, was it? More like a wide paved walk path lined with potted plants and small trees. Aiming at the door, she made her way out of the spotlight and into the dark interior of the café. Alarm quickened her pulse when she imagined Josh already there, watching her the entire time. Adding up the reasons she was not girlfriend material.
    She took in a breath and remembered to smile a little. The smell of coffee and sweets made her stomach go Godzilla—a completely natural response to no food all day. She really needed to quit saying she was going to eat better and actually do it. Of course, better meant eating before late night. But, waiting to eat at work allowed her to save a little money. She ignored the nagging voice that told her she was spending it all on poor health.
    She removed her sunglasses and put them in her purse, allowing her eyes to adjust. With slow steps toward the counter, she glanced around, bracing for the impact of a random waving male in her peripheral. Had been only yesterday since she’d seen him.
    She ordered coffee and a bagel, then gazed around for a spot to sit while waiting for her order. Spotting one near the window, she collected her goodies and hurried carefully to it before somebody else stole it. Window seat. Perfect. If he was already there, he was hiding well.
    He’s not hiding in the corner,