Confer, Lorelei - Deadly Revenge (BookStrand Publishing Romance) by Lorelei Confer

And we want to try to get some volunteers to help with the finishing touches, things like that. What about you?”
    “I may as well come with you. When were you leaving for the bank?”
    “In about a half hour.”
    “I’ll meet you there, and we can go to Lana’s and talk, okay?”
    “Sure, we can talk about anything but men. I’ve had enough already.”

    * * * *

    Tory and Sue met at the bank, signed the loan papers, and began the short walk over to Lana’s. As they walked to the coffee house, Tory kept glancing over her shoulder.
    “Who’re you looking for, Tory? You’ve been looking behind your back ever since we left the bank.”
    “I don’t know. I have this feeling I’m being followed or watched. I’ve had it ever since I got to town, but when I look there’s never anybody there. I had the same feeling last night.”
    “You’re just being paranoid now. You’re probably feeling insecure because it happened before. Where does it happen at and who do you think it could be? You maybe are just having aftereffects because of last night with Dave and your feelings for him,” Sue said as they entered the door to Lana’s. “Speaking of Dave, he’s here in the back corner booth reading the paper.”
    “You’re kidding. Stop it, it’s not funny.”
    “Look for yourself then,” Sue said as she moved toward a booth at the opposite end of the room.
    Tory looked toward the booth that Sue had indicated, and there sat Dave, as handsome as you please, reading the paper and drinking a cup of coffee. He looked up at her when she glanced his way. Their eyes met and locked. Neither could turn away from the other.
    Finally Sue interrupted. “Tory, come and sit down. I don’t have all day,” Sue said with annoyance. “Do you want to leave or sit somewhere else?”
    Tory made her way over to Sue and sat down in the booth facing her.
    “I already ordered us each a coffee. It should be here any minute. Did you want anything else?” Sue asked.
    Tory shook her head and moved farther into the booth so she couldn’t see Dave and he couldn’t see her.
    “Do you suppose he saw me with Matt when we left town? Maybe someone else did and told him and that’s why he stood me up.”
    “You can still talk to Dave and explain the break-in, your relationship, or lack of it, with Matt. It’s not too late. Maybe you can talk to Dave now and explain what you did and why—like you talked to me—open, honest, and sincere.”
    “You’re right. But it’s so awkward.” Tory took a long gulp of her coffee.
    “It has to be soon, Tory, or you could lose him. You don’t want to start a relationship based on secrets or lies. It won’t last. I have to leave soon anyway. Why don’t you take your coffee over and ask if you can join him. Then neither of you will be sitting by yourselves.”
    “Okay, but if it doesn’t work out, I’m blaming it on you because it was your idea.” Tory picked up her purse and coffee cup and walked hesitantly toward the corner booth, her heart pounding and her palms sweaty.
    She saw Dave look up at her as soon as she came closer.
    “Hello, Dave. Do you mind if I join you?” she asked as he folded up the paper and put it aside.
    “No, have a seat. We need to talk anyway,” he answered with a gentle smile.
    “We do,” Tory said with a stiff upper lip, trying to keep her emotions under control. She didn’t know whether to scream and yell at him or be nice and apologize for going out with Matt. Does he have a right to be mad at me? After all, we aren’t dating exclusively. I should be able to see whomever I want. It’s my life and I can do whatever I want to with it.
    “I’m sorry about last night,” Dave said as she watched him run his fingers through his thick hair. “Something came up that I had to deal with right away, and I couldn’t make it.”
    “Which are you sorry about, the ransacking of my place, or standing me up, or not bothering to call me?” Tory said.
    “Whoa. Your