My grin fades when I see her face fall into seriousness.
"No." Her voice is barely audible, and she pauses. "I might as well be honest. I was in a really controlling relationship. I wasn't going to tell you, but I suppose we'll be getting to know each other pretty well over these next few weeks. And I have nothing to hide."
My mouth parts, and while I'm shocked into silence, my insides roil with white-hot anger — and shame for pushing the issue. Someone made Leilani feel small? How? Who? And, where does he live?
"Of course you have nothing to hide. That's nothing to be ashamed of." My voice is gravelly despite my best effort to keep it even-toned. "I'm sorry. Really sorry. You're in a safe place now. Right?"
Please, please let her say yes.
She nods. "I made a clean break four months ago. He didn't hit me. But he wore me down, you know? Like he was taking small pieces of me, one at a time."
My breaths are coming in shallow, sharp gulps.
She continues speaking. "I won’t get into too much detail. He took my paycheck. He made my dreams sound stupid. My financial situation didn't allow me to leave easily. When I inherited the money, I escaped."
"Thank God you did." It's only now that I realize my hands are clenched into fists.
"He hasn't come after me. Hasn't even emailed. So that's a positive."
I flex my fingers. "Listen, if you ever need help, or even just want to talk, I want you to call me. My family and I know everyone in this town. Every cop, every lawyer. I also know some less savory characters — shrimp boat captains, a couple of bikers. Anything you need, I'm here."
Oh heck, did I just say the wrong thing? Her eyes look watery.
"Thank you," she whispers, blinking rapidly. "That means a lot. And it's why I was a little skittish about you. I've only had one real relationship. Geez, I don't know why I'm telling you all this. Sorry."
She twists in her seat so she's facing the bar and begins fiddling with a stray piece of pepperoni on her plate.
I place a hand on her back. Every cell in my body longs to pull her close and hold her. "Hey. Don't apologize."
A little smile plays on her face. "When I left my ex, I made a promise to myself that in the future, I'd only be with men who asked for my consent."
"Check," I say, grinning.
She laughs, and I'm glad we're back to flirting. Relieved that I can make her happy, even a little.
"And men who communicate their desires fully."
"Check again. What else?"
"Well, I made a list. I'm actually a hardcore list maker."
I bust out laughing and take my hand off her back. "You made a list of what you want in a man?"
"Several. Then I decided I didn't want a relationship. Not now."
"Let's go over this list. I want to hear it."
A giggle slips from her mouth and she reaches for a blue notebook. "Only be with men who respect your boundaries."
"Good one. I agree with that."
"Don't be with men who are emotionally manipulative."
Did taking Tate's winning ticket from him at the Chamber meeting fall into this? I nod seriously, thinking about how I will mess up any man who is emotionally abusive to her. "What else?"
"Only be with men who care about your safety."
My heart splinters at her words. "The idea that someone would touch you and not care about your safety is unthinkable. You deserve to be worshipped, Leilani."