“Don’t you want any?” Doc replied.
“What flavor are they? They’re not bran and raisin or something like that, are they?” Linc asked suspiciously.
“Chocolate chip. Go.”
Linc turned to her. “That okay with you?”
She nodded. “It’s fine.”
“I’ll bring her to you safe and sound in a few minutes.” Doc waited until Linc deposited her in her own chair then got up and left, closing the door behind him.
“Chocolate chip cookies are my favorite,” she said sadly.
“There aren’t any.”
“What?”
“There aren’t any cookies. Well, not where he’ll find them anyway. But I figured it would keep him busy for a few minutes. Wanted to talk to you alone.”
“Oh. What about?”
“Just wanted to check there wasn’t anything you wanted to talk to me about that you couldn’t say in front of Linc. I know that you were attacked recently.”
She swallowed heavily. Right. That’s what he wanted to talk about.
“I noticed the bruises on your neck.”
She raised her hand. “They’re much better.”
“Linc said he strangled you. Threatened you. He do anything else?” There was a softness to his face even if his words sounded abrupt.
“No.”
He watched her for a long moment. “You wouldn’t lie to me?”
She shook her head. “I’m not. Really. He didn’t assault me or anything. He didn’t get that chance.”
“But he threatened to. That can be terrifying.”
“It was.”
“If you want someone to talk to, I know a passably good therapist.”
“You’re recommending a passably good therapist?” she asked with surprise.
“It’s my brother. I can’t give him too much praise. His head is big enough as it is and I have to live with him. For some reason, Caley loves him.”
She had to bite back a grin. “Can I think about it?”
He gave an abrupt nod. “You’re happy staying with Linc? I don’t think he’d pressure you into anything . . .”
“He hasn’t,” she said quickly. “He’d never do that.”
“Good,” he said softly. “Is there anything else??
?
“No, I don’t think so.”