“It could still escalate. Stalkers are known for both repetitive and escalating behaviors.”
Was it weird that my mom knew facts about stalkers? “I’ll be careful.”
I hugged her and we finished our goodbyes. She went back into the country club to finish her socializing. I took a deep breath of the fresh air, tasting my freedom, and checked my phone.
Still nothing.
Feeling defeated, I was about to get in my car when I had the strangest feeling that I was being watched.
This time, I was right. Across the parking lot, I caught sight of Josiah sitting in his truck.
What was he doing here?
I didn’t know whether I was annoyed that he was here or glad to see him. I decided it would depend on why he was here. If he’d followed me because he thought I was going to see Colin, I’d barrel right past annoyed and straight to mad.
He got out of his truck and shut the door as I walked across the parking lot toward him. His expression didn’t betray a thing, but that was normal for Josiah. He always looked on the verge of being angry, even when he wasn’t.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, stopping in front of him.
“You have a stalker.”
“So you’re going to follow me everywhere?”
“Maybe.”
I was trying not to smile, but it was hard. “Sounds like you’re the stalker.”
“Yeah, I’m clearly out to get you,” he deadpanned.
“What did you think was going to happen to me?” I gestured to the building. “It’s a country club in the middle of the day.”
“Probably nothing. But my tile guy postponed, so it was either this or paint bedrooms.”
“So following me was just a less boring alternative to watching paint dry.”
He glanced away. “I’m worried about you, okay? Maybe you’re right and Colin doesn’t have anything to do with it, but someone has a big-ass problem with you.”
“I’m honestly not trying to defend Colin. I don’t have any reason to. If it bothers you because you think I still have feelings for him, I promise I don’t.”
He stepped closer and tucked my hair behind my ear. “I know you don’t. It’s just, sometimes the most obvious answer is the right one.”
“Sometimes. And sometimes it isn’t. But either way, don’t we need to trust the police on this? If it is him, they’ll find the evidence, right?”
“Hope so. I trust Garrett. But whoever it is, they’re being careful. We checked the camera footage. There’s nothing.”
I didn’t know why that, of all things, made me tear up. I already knew the cameras hadn’t caught the stalker. They alerted us every time a car drove by and we had tons of incidental footage of Max running around the yard.
Maybe the reality of the situation was sinking in. Someone really, really hated me, and they were willing to go to great lengths to show it.
Trying to pull myself together, I swiped away the tears that fell. In an instant, Josiah’s arms were around me. He held me tight against his solid body, sure and strong. I relaxed into him, taking comfort in his embrace. And something else sank in.
He really had followed me out here to keep me safe.
And in that moment, I fell a little bit more in love with Josiah Haven.
July 26th
I don’t know why it took me so long to figure it out. I blame her. She riles up my emotions, makes me too angry to think straight. It doesn’t help that she’s everywhere. Always running around with her camera, playing intrepid reporter.
Too bad the pretty little journalist can’t crack her own story.
Showing her that I can still get to her, no matter what the mountain man does, is only one piece of the puzzle. I need to sever the ties that bind her here. Cut off her connections. Take away her reasons to stay.
She thinks a little spray paint is bad? I’m going to dismantle her life, piece by piece. I’m going to ruin her.
And I’m just getting started.
CHAPTER 28
Audrey
No one in the office could see my laptop screen, but the urge to close it was there. It felt weird to be looking at an email from another company, especially when the purpose of the email was to invite me to interview for a position.
I wasn’t as excited as I thought I’d be. When I’d received a similar email from Lou, offering an interview for my current position, I’d celebrated like I’d just won the lottery.
This job was a better fit and it paid more. So why wasn’t I jumping out of my chair or rushing to answer as quickly as I could?