Not You It's Me (Boston Love #1) - Julie Johnson Page 0,65

to Ralph. He’s still glaring at me, but he’s taken a few steps back, widening the space between us. I don’t look away from him as I speak to the old woman. “I’m so sorry, did we wake you?”

In truth, I’m not even a little bit sorry.

“Oh, no, me and Bigelow were just sitting at the window, doing a little peeping,” she informs me shamelessly, clearly not registering the tense atmosphere in the hallway. “Did you know, the man and his wife in the building next door are thinking about getting a cat? Bigelow would like that. He likes to sit at the window when the sun’s out, it would give him something to look at during the day.”

I nod, my eyes still locked on Ralph’s. “That would be very nice, Mrs. Hendrickson.” I swallow. “I have to be going, now, but will you do me a favor?”

“Of course, Gemma dear. What is it?”

“This hallway is a bit spooky at night. Would you mind watching to make sure I get to the door all right?”

The old woman is silent for a long moment, and when I glance back in her direction, I see she’s finally registered the friction humming in the air. Her gaze moves from me to Ralph in a measuring study and, after a few seconds, awareness seeps into her soft blue eyes. They narrow on Ralph in a menacing stare that’s pretty impressive, for an octogenarian. For anyone, really.

He takes another step back.

“Do you want to come in for a cup of tea, dear?” she asks me, her eyes locked on Ralph. “We’d be happy for the company, wouldn’t we, Bigelow?” Her hand strokes the cat’s fur, and he emits a purr so loud, I think the air around his body actually vibrates.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Hendrickson, I can’t tonight.” I make sure to look at Ralph when I say the next part. “I have people expecting me. They’ll worry if I don’t show up.”

Sure, it’s a lie, but he doesn’t know that.

“Okay, but you’ll come see me soon, right, Gemma dear?” Mrs. Hendrickson smiles at me. “If you don’t, well, I’ll just have to track you down myself. Have you ever met my grandson, Bobby?”

I shake my head at her seemingly random question.

“He’s a fine young man. A police officer.” Her smile widens, and her tone is lighter than air as she looks back at Ralph. “Isn’t that great? I’m sure he could track you down if I can’t, Gemma dear. In fact, I’m sure he can track down just about anyone.”

For the first time, I smile. The old lady has bigger cojones than Ralph, and better threats.

“He sounds great, Mrs. Hendrickson,” I say, reaching out to scratch Bigelow behind the ear. “Thanks.”

“Don’t forget to visit,” she reminds me, as I start to back down the hallway, toward the exit.

“I won’t.”

I glance back at Ralph and see the scowl hasn’t shifted off his face but his eyes are now resigned, rather than furious, and I know he’s given up. For now, at least.

I keep my eyes on him as I move away, forcing my face into a composed mask. I don’t let it slip, even when I reach the door and Ralph mouths something at me that makes every fine hair on my body stand on end.

This isn’t over.

With a final glare, he rounds the corner and disappears.

My eyes move to Mrs. Hendrickson, still standing guard in her doorway. She winks at me and, ignoring the shivers Ralph’s threat prompted, I manage a smile before pushing through the exit, my feet poised to run for the car.

Out of the frying pan, into the freaking fire.

***

“What do you mean you’re not in the city?” Chrissy screeches into the phone. “Where the hell are you?”

I wince, leaning forward to adjust the speakerphone volume without taking my eyes off the road. “I’m heading up to Rocky Neck, to visit my mom for a few days.”

“Why on god’s green earth would you do that?”

“I just… have to get away for a while. Get a fresh perspective.”

“You can get a fresh perspective here!”

“Chrissy, we live in the same city.”

“Boston and Cambridge are technically two separate cites,” she points out. “I mean, there’s a whole river between us!”

I snort.

“Please, don’t go away. This bed rest thing — it’s boring me to tears. Without your visits, I’ll go insane. I don’t have anyone else to keep me company.”

Way to lay on the guilt, Chrissy.

“It’s only for a few days,” I assure her. “And you