“Nice home, by the way.”
I looked around, grateful I’d picked up before leaving for the store. There was nothing fancy about it, but the furniture was newer and I’d spent some extra time making the place warm and inviting. Most of the décor was rustic, reminding me of my dad. There was even an oil painting over the fireplace of a father and daughter fishing out of a small boat. I’d found it at a galleria shortly after he died. It had reminded me so much of our tranquil moments together, I couldn’t resist. “Thank you.”
“I bet we could cook up something special together here, too.”
I felt my face flush.
He grinned. “Your kitchen or mine? Either or.”
I laughed nervously, knowing that my mind had gone right to the gutter. “Yeah. Sounds good.”
“Well, stay safe.”
“I will. Thanks again.”
“No problem.”
He left and I locked the door behind him. I watched through the window as he got into his car and drove away, still smelling his cologne. It was sexy, woodsy, and masculine. Like him.
Missing his presence already, I went back into the kitchen and began putting away my groceries.
Mitch. Mitch. Mitch. I would love to cook up something special with you, too, I mused, putting away the cucumbers. The guy had my stomach doing somersaults and I couldn’t wait to see him again.
After having a quick bite to eat, I got onto my elliptical and watched a Netflix documentary while working out. I’d learned long ago that it made the time go faster and exercising much more bearable. As I was finishing up my last five minutes, there was a knock at the door. Surprised, I stopped the machine and headed to the door. I checked the peephole and felt my stomach to sour when I saw who was standing outside on my porch.
Brian.
He was holding a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates.
Alarmed, I backed away from the doorway and grabbed my phone. The guy had me trembling so badly again that I could barely hold it in my hand.
Brian knocked louder and then rang the doorbell. “Sophia! I know you’re home. I just wanted to apologize again and then I’ll be on my way.”
“You’ve already done that,” I cried out in a shaky voice. “Please, just go away!”
There was no response.
I crept back to the door and looked out the peephole again. He was still standing there, looking indecisive. His eyes suddenly met my gaze, and he smiled, as if he could see me watching him. It gave me the chills.
“Honestly, I’m a good guy, Sophia. Please, just give me a chance. I promise… you won’t regret it.”
“Go away or I’m calling the cops.”
His smile fell. “Why can’t you just give me a chance? I know we’d be perfect together. It said so in the cards.”
Cards?
“I contacted a psychic this morning,” he explained. “She said that the stars had aligned and that you and I would definitely have a significant future together.”
I shuddered. “Brian, you and I are definitely not having anything together. Now, I’m going to give you to the count of three before I call the police.”
“Sophia—”
“One.”
He groaned in frustration.
“Two.”
“Fine. I’ll leave. Just think about it, okay? I want to see you again and I think if you’ll give us a chance, you’ll see how great we can be together.” He set the flowers and chocolates on the porch.
“Take those with you. I don’t want them,” I said angrily.
“Nonsense. You love truffles. Those are superior quality, too. Only the best for you, Sophia.”
I backed away from the doorway again.
How in the hell did he know I loved truffles? And Moscato wine?
I suddenly remembered taking a photo of a giant truffle I’d purchased during a cruise with Marcy. I’d posted it to Instagram. I’d also posted a bottle of Moscato wine one day while trying to win something on Facebook. The guy was literally stalking me everywhere.
“If you ever come back here, I’ll call the police,” I blurted out loud. “If you ever follow me, or approach me in any way, I’ll have you arrested.”
“I didn’t mean to scare you,” he said softly. “I just… I just can’t seem to get you out of my head.”
“Go away!”
“Fine!” He slammed his palm against the doorway, making me jump. “I’m leaving! Your loss, you cunty bitch!”
Trembling, I heard the wood creak loudly as he barreled off of the porch in a huff.
Releasing a shaky breath, I moved to the peephole again and watched as he stormed over to his car.