piece of information that Alicia needed them all to remember. The relationship was fake. The sex was over. The end.
“And no. No plans for tonight. Fake or otherwise.” But Shelly’s mention of Brian and McP’s had her considering if it would be wise to show up there.
She was trying to make a break from him so going to what she could only guess was his favorite bar didn’t seem like a wise decision.
“Do you want to come over to my place instead? I’m kind of in the mood for sushi and a movie.”
“I can do that. I’ll pick up wine,” Shelly offered.
“Perfect. I’ll call in the order for our usual delivery.”
Things had worked out well—both the forthcoming wine and sushi, and that Shelly hadn’t questioned her reluctance to go to McP’s. Perhaps, finally, luck was on her side.
“Sounds good. See you in about half an hour at your place,” Shelly promised.
Shelly was a good friend but she was not good at being punctual. Alicia knew this and had long ago accepted the habitual tardiness in her friend. Which is why it was such a surprise when barely half an hour later, her doorbell rang.
Impressed with Shelly’s speed, she couldn’t help but wonder what had inspired it—hunger or the need for wine.
She put down the two wine glasses she’d just pulled out of the kitchen cupboard and spun to head for the front door. But as she passed the window, the blinds and curtains still open since the sun had yet to set, she saw something that had her hitting the floor like a sopping wet towel falling off the bathroom rod.
Hiding low, she eased up just high enough so her eyes cleared the windowsill she clung to with her fingertips.
From her vantage point on the hardwood, she saw a red convertible.
It was easy to recognize the physical manifestation of her ex’s need to assert his masculinity. He’d purchased it right before he’d dumped her.
In retrospect, that should have been a clue of what was to come.
Unless Shelly had neglected to tell her best friend that she’d bought a new sportscar in the past week, the same car that Greg also owned, it was not Shelly at her front door.
She felt sick to her stomach, but in light of the evidence parked outside, she had to face the facts. It was Greg. Here. In person.
But just because he was there at her door didn’t mean she had to open it. She wasn’t above hiding. Cowering on the floor for as long as it took for him to leave.
Resigned to the fact she might be there for a while, she slid down and pressed her back against the wall.
Her car was parked out of sight in the garage, so there was no way for him to know for sure she was inside. Eventually he’d get tired of ringing the bell and pounding on the door and have to leave.
There were lights on inside. But she always left lights on, even when she wasn’t home, so she wouldn’t walk into a dark house.
He knew that from the years they’d been together. In fact, the dickhead had criticized the habit often, which had always pissed her off. But she was grateful for it now. At least he wouldn’t think it odd that she wasn’t home and lights were on.
His fist hit the door one more time and had her jumping as her body continued to shake from sheer adrenaline as she hid from her pursuer.
Finally, it was quiet. No more knocking. No more buzzing of the doorbell. Was he leaving?
Her relief was quickly replaced with panic when she realized he could be standing just a couple of feet away, on the other side of the door, trying to call her right now.
Her cell was in the pocket of her cardigan. She thrust her hand in and wrestled the device free of the knit. Knowing she might only have seconds before the cell rang and exposed her, she panicked.
Finally she found the tiny volume button with her finger and pushed a good dozen times, setting the sound to silent.
Letting out the breath she’d been holding, she slumped back against the wall, eyes closed as she tried to recover from the scare.
The sound of a car door slamming perked her up. But she didn’t hear the engine fire.
Thinking it might be a trick to lure her out, she stayed where she was, straining to listen for the car to start. Not that she would have to