Stalking Her Sweetly - MINK Page 0,16

plan. Maybe it’ll be better for me to work on a strange lock anyway. More of a challenge, right?”

“Right.” I squeeze her fingers, then lead her to my back yard.

As we step up onto my porch, I hear a car engine start in the alleyway behind our houses. “Hang on.” I dart down the stairs and out to the white fence where the wild roses bloom by the lane.

A black car disappears at the end of the street, and I can’t make out a license plate.

I was right. Someone was watching. And my gut tells me that someone wants to hurt Jamie. My hands fist.

“Silas?” she calls. “What is it?”

“Nothing.” I return to her with a promise in my heart. No one will hurt my dreamgirl. I’ll spill a river of blood if necessary, and the person in the black car? They’ve already signed their death warrant. I’ll be coming for them. Soon.

10

Jamie

I fiddle with Silas’s lock and get nowhere. I’m in worse condition here than I was at my own place. With him so close, I can’t think straight. At least over here his back door is shaded and I’m protected from the setting sun. One plus. Oh, and I get to look at him.

I’m just going through some stuff right now.

I drop the pick again. I’m going through a lot of stuff, too. People are dying around me! I’d told him that we weren’t a good idea right now. So why does it hurt so much when he says it back to me? I snatch the pick back up and try again. I push harder this time, taking my anger out on the lock. Still nothing.

Gah, it sucks, the first time I’m really into someone and the timing isn't right for either of us. He isn't even running for the hills when I explode into a mess. He gives me that soft sweet smile like he thinks I’m adorable instead of crazy. That’s a new one for me.

He might just be a nice guy and feeling bad for me. I noticed he didn't go into details about what his stuff is. Which only makes me think he doesn’t want to share those things with me. I told him all of mine. He also didn't deny his date. He changed the subject. What was up with that?

“Any luck?” he asks hopefully.

“Not yet.” I blow my hair out of my eyes. “I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.” I let out a frustrated sigh. It's partly due to the fact that I can’t get the lock to click open, but also because I can’t seem to figure him out either.

“You’ve been at it for a while. Maybe you should try again tomorrow.” My first thought is that he’s trying to get rid of me so he can get ready for his date. Who kisses someone as though they were starved for them and then goes out with someone else? I know I shouldn’t be jealous, but it takes root inside of me. I hate it. When I saw Trevor was dating other girls, I was excited about him moving on. With Silas, not so much. I know people can date more than one person at a time, but this stinks.

“I guess I can go back to my place and wait for the locksmith. Hopefully, he gets here soon and can get me inside quickly.” I get to my feet, well aware that I’m never picking this lock. “It’s getting late and I need time to get ready for my date.”

I toss that lie out there while giving him my sweetest smile. It’s childish to lie, but I don’t want him to think I’m sitting alone at home while he’s out doing whatever it is with his date. I look up at him just in time to see the small tick in his jaw. Why does he have to be so handsome? Of course he has a date. So no harm in pretending I have one, too.

“I was coming to tell you that the locksmith called and is running really late. He’s not even sure he’ll be able to make it today.”

“Oh.” I bite the inside of my mouth. What the hell am I going to do now? I don’t even have my wallet, so I can’t get a hotel or something. I’m going to have to call my dad. I inwardly groan.

“Are you hungry?”

“Hungry?” I ask, confused. I look over at my house.

“Yeah, food.” He grabs my hand, drawing my