Perception by Kim Harrington Read Free Book Online Page B

company.”
    He didn’t say it with a wink or any sense of flirtation. He said it matter-of-factly. But it still got my heart racing.
    As I stood and followed him toward the door, something peculiar caught my attention. A woman seated in a cornerbooth had her eyes glued to us. When she saw that I noticed, she lifted a menu up in front of her face.
    Odd.
    “So what are you going to do?” Gabriel asked, holding the door for me.
    I was so disconcerted by the strange woman, I didn’t know what he meant at first. Then I realized he was asking about Sierra’s mother.
    “After Perry’s failed reading, she probably thinks we’re frauds,” I said. “But I’d still like to find a way to help.”
    He stopped when we reached his Jeep, and turned around. “Good. I’m glad.”
    I was taken aback by how strongly he said it, and he noticed the surprise on my face.
    “I’ve been there,” he said quietly, and he didn’t need to explain any further. I knew he was thinking about his little sister and how his parents had been willing to do anything to find her. And this also meant that he believed in me and my ability. He thought I could help. I reached out and grabbed his hand, gave it a little squeeze. It wasn’t much, but it was all I could offer for now.
    Over his shoulder I noticed the door to the restaurant open slightly and a face peer out, then quickly dart back in. The woman again. Watching us.
    “Want a ride home?” Gabriel asked.
    “No, thanks,” I said absently. “Mom dropped me off. She’s due to swing by and pick me back up. We’re going Halloween decoration shopping. Don’t ask.”
    Gabriel said good-bye and drove off, and I tucked myselfbehind an SUV. After a few moments, the woman emerged from the restaurant and hurried over to a small, beat-up car.
    I rushed up behind her and tapped her on the shoulder.
    She startled and turned around, dropping her keys to the pavement.
    “What do you want?” I asked, hands on my hips.
    “Nothing. I’m leaving.” She picked up her keys and fiddled with them, trying to find the right one.
    “Why were you staring at me?”
    “I wasn’t.” She shook her head, but her thick black hair didn’t move. Her face was too thin, and dark circles outlined her eyes.
    “Why were you staring at my friend?”
    She shifted back and forth, a clear tell. It was Gabriel she was following, not me.
    “Who are you?” I asked, stepping between her and the car door. At the notion that this stranger might have bad intentions toward Gabriel, a brash courage I didn’t realize I had swelled in me.
    “It’s none of your concern,” she said, puffing up her chest.
    “If you’re stalking my friend, it is my concern.”
    She eyed me curiously. “You care about him.” She stepped closer, but I didn’t back off. She considered me for a moment, then spoke. “I’ll tell you. If you promise not to tell Gabriel.”
    She knows his name , I thought in shock. But at her softened voice and demeanor, my alarm subsided a bit. Still, I felt protective. I wasn’t going to keep anything from Gabriel that he should know. At the same time, I wanted to hear what her deal was.
    “I can’t promise not to tell him,” I said. “It all depends.”
    The woman nodded. “Maybe you’ll agree after you’ve heard what I have to say.”
    “Okay.”
    “I am Aleta Toscano. Gabriel’s mother.”

MY MOUTH OPENED .
    Way to go, Clare. Way to impress the mother of a prospective boyfriend. Moms love their boys to date psycho overprotective girls.
    “Gabriel doesn’t know I’m in town,” his mother said.
    Now that I knew who she was, I was surprised I didn’t notice the resemblance earlier. She had Gabriel’s eyes.
    Those eyes pleaded with me as she continued, “His father doesn’t, either. I have a room in a hotel. I only arrived today. When I saw my son in the restaurant, I hid because I didn’t want our first meeting in months to be in a place like that. I want to approach him at the right time,