and I’m met with a pair of sympathetic deep blue eyes.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. You just look so lost standing here.”
I bury my head in his chest with a sigh. “I’ve been nothing but trouble. It always seems to find me no matter what I do, and it always comes with a fucking cherry on top.”
He laughs, but not in a way that indicates what I said was funny. Nothing about this is funny. He grips my arms firmly and looks deeply into my eyes. “You’re not to blame for this. It’s not your fault that he’s decided to send you that card. You’re the most beautiful, intelligent, special woman I know, and sometimes people take advantage of that, but it’s not your fault. Please understand that.”
Empathy is evident in his face as he loosens his tight grip of my arms. We stand there for a few seconds as he just stares into my eyes. His breathing hitches slightly as he traces his eyes down to my lips. My heart starts to beat rapidly as I wonder what it is he’s thinking. He seems to want to kiss me, but I can also see the little bolts in his head spinning again as he’s tries to figure out what to do. In another life, I would want him to kiss me, who wouldn’t? He’s beautiful inside and out, but ever since I met the obnoxious, overbearing yet unbelievably sexy caveman, there’s only one man for me.
Michael’s decision is finally made when he lets me go and pulls away.
“Thank you, Michael. I truly mean that. You’re very unique, and one day I hope you will meet someone who is just as special as you.”
My words don’t seem to go down well as his face falls. “Have you got another beer?” he sighs.
“Sure thing. Coming right up.”
“Considering I’m here, shall I give Arianna a call so you can speak with her?”
Walking swiftly into the kitchen, I grab him a beer and shout for him that it would be a great idea.
By the time I return with his open beer, Michael is already on the phone with Arianna. Soon after, I speak with her, relaying dates and times and the conversation between Spector and me. I tell her how it’s obvious he’s been following me considering he knew where I used to live and where I live now. I also divulge to her about today and how he followed me to my mum’s house, but I can’t prove that it was him as he drove off too fast. She advises me that she will get the order done now and take it in first thing in the morning. As we’re wrapping up, she tells me she has Agent Marcos on call waiting.
Sighing my relief that something may actually get done about Spector, I thank her then hang up. I turn my attention back to Michael who seems to have something on his mind.
“I know you’ve already been through enough,” he begins. “But I only thought it right to tell you that I looked into that nurse, Betty. I managed to find out that her last name is Falkner. Apparently, she handed in her notice a couple of weeks back. They said it was very sudden, but we can both hazard a guess as to why that may be. I did consider telling them what she did, but I figured it would be best to talk to you first. It’s ultimately your decision, whatever action it is you wish to take—if any.”
I glance away for a moment, taking in everything Michael just said. Maybe she handed in her notice in fear that she was going to lose her job. I sigh, decision made.
“I think her handing in her notice and possibly never being a nurse again is punishment enough.”
With furrowed brows, Michael looks confused by my decision. “Well, you’re a better person than me. I would still pursue it considering she violated your right to privacy. Besides, what’s to stop her from getting another job as a nurse one day, again violating a patient’s privacy, putting them at risk too?”
He’s right, of course, but a part of me still tries to see the good in people. I’ve always been that way. “That’s true, but I still don’t want to take it further.” Michael shakes his head at me. “What?”
“Like I said, you’re a better person than me. Let’s just leave it at that.”