more info. Dynamic IPs, IP spoofing, using relays is the norm these days for these guys but we’ll hunt ’em down. We’ve been deleting and reporting your personal info when we see it online and on the Darknet. When you reactivated your social media accounts to post tonight’s photos, we think the anon creepster wanted to spook you. Delete all your photos and suspend accounts immediately.
I did. I deleted everything. All my social media accounts, gone. I asked the sergeant, “What if I find out these stalkers’ identity? Can you make arrests then?”
He raised his eyebrows. “It would be more likely.” Much more encouraging than a shrug.
Candace and Jane had already gone, and as the police entourage thinned out, it was time to leave. With Nolan’s arm still draped over my shoulder, I turned to face him, to thank him for being there with me. Supporting me through yet another crisis.
His eyes gleamed, even in the cloud-covered darkness. For what felt like an eternity, we stared at each other, like we did on top of those stairs, just moments before our lips met and he returned my kiss, leaving me roused and confused. I thought back to when Candace and Jane had said I was too picky when it came to men and needed to be open to opportunities.
Well, here was opportunity standing right in front of me.
This time I knew what I wanted.
I wanted Nolan.
When I stepped a little closer to him, his lips twisted into a slight frown as he pulled his arm away from me. “Hey, you’ve been through a lot tonight,” he said, offering me a wavering smile. “You’ve been drinking and under duress, and the last time we did this”—he hesitated with his next words—“you regretted it. Like, a lot.” He stiffened and scratched his cheek. “The most important thing for me right now is to get you home safely. Is that okay?”
Numb from both the frigid weather and his rejection, I barely nodded. Had I missed my chance with him?
With Nolan’s hand barely touching my back, we walked over to a Subaru. My eyes widened when he unlocked the doors. “You have a Subaru Legacy? I pegged you as a BMW guy.”
He smirked. “Really? I don’t know if I should be flattered or offended by that. I bought this car when I realized I’d be moving to Seattle. I read somewhere that it was one of the most popular cars in Washington State.” His face fell instantly when he remembered something. “But I might need to sell it soon.”
The early morning mist had already settled on his windshield. With his wipers on full blast, he swished away the dewy wetness as he drove me home. Biting my lip during the quiet drive, I couldn’t help but wonder if he was moving to New York. If anything could ever happen between us. If this attraction was just one-way. How different would everything be if I had stopped worrying, doubting, and overthinking and had just let things play out on that stairwell?
I CALLED MY parents early in the morning after my apartment building was swept for bombs (yes, BOMBS).
“Your daddy and me still wonder how you get a stalker. Stalker usually go after beautiful girl.”
“Thanks for being so supportive, Mom.”
“We watch local evening news every day. All the stalkers want to be boyfriend. Maybe you have secret admire crush.”
I closed my eyes. “Mom, not all stalkers are infatuated with who they are stalking.”
“Well, if you choose doctor or lawyer career like we want, you not have this problem. Those job you don’t have people stalk you. Unless you are psychiatrist or criminal defender, maybe that is problem.”
I sighed deeply. For once, I’d have to agree with them about this. “That may be true about doctors and lawyers, but I still don’t want either of those careers.”
My mom asked, “So what you do now? You have a plan?”
“Of course I have a plan. Don’t worry about me.”
I had no plan, but there was no way in hell I’d tell them that.
My dad got on the line. “Melody, you okay? You farmer friend Nolan, he helping you?”
“Yeah, he is. A lot. He’s been a big help.”
“Good. Good. He is nice guy.”
I laughed nervously. “Yeah, he is.”
We quickly said our goodbyes. What were you supposed to talk about with your parents when you had originally called to let them know a madman stalker was hunting you down and they tell you that for once, they actually like a guy