Page 31

Once he leaves, I finally take a deep breath. That man is intense. His personality, his size, his … Nope. Don’t go there.Work, Zoey. Work.
As I shake off the heat from my encounter with Ryker, I get back to taking orders and talking with the townspeople. I notice a familiar face back at the same table he was at before. The creepy blonde man who scared the living daylights out of me yesterday.
Trying to sound and act as casually as I can, I approach him with a smile. “Hi there. How are you doing today?” I pull out my notepad and grab my pencil from my pocket.
“Zoey, right?” he asks, and I nod cautiously. “I’m good. My name is Brett, by the way.” He holds his hand out and I stare at it, not wanting to touch him.
I purposely drop my pen on the ground so I can avoid shaking his hand. I stand up and place my pen tip on the pad of paper, my eyes looking down at it. “So, what can I get you this morning?”
“Uh, two eggs over easy, a bagel, and a side of bacon, please.” Brett grins as he hands me the menu.
“I’ll get the order put in for you.” I quickly head back to the counter to hand over the order to the kitchen staff and get away from him. I turn and take a look at Brett, seeing him simply sit there reading a newspaper. Something just isn’t right with him.
I keep pretty busy the rest of the morning and then eventually bring the check to Brett.
I give him a nod. “Here you go. I hope everything was good.” I lean over the table and pick up his plate.
“It was amazing. This whole town is absolutely amazing. I wish I had more time here, and I’m sad I have to head back home.” He frowns as he picks up his coffee and takes a sip.
Not thinking, I ask, “Oh, where are you from?”
Why are you making conversation with him?
His eyes lock in on mine. “New York. What about you,Zoey? You said you just recently moved here? Where are you from?”
I shudder when my name rolls off his tongue. “Um, back east as well. Anything else I can get for you?” I try to slow my heartbeat and control my breathing, but something feels off.
Before I can turn and leave, he speaks again, “You know, it’s been nice here. And you were right about Rose. She’s a very nice lady. In fact, everyone in this town has been great. Honestly, I wish I could stay here. Then I could learn more about you,Zoey.” He narrows his eyes at me, and chills run down my spine. “Can I be honest with you,Zoey?”
My stomach drops, and my feet feel like there’s cement in my shoes. I want to run, but I can’t. So instead, I nod, my eyes as wide as saucers.
He hums for a moment, thinking.
“Zoey is a very pretty name, but you just don’t look like a Zoey to me.” His entire body turns in the booth towards me, and his fingers thrum against the table. I take a step back, my breath hitching. The plate drops to the floor, pieces scattering everywhere.
“Zoey? You okay, sweetie?” Joan calls over as she runs to me. Tears threaten to break through as I finally find my ability to run.
I push past Joan, running into the back room. My chest is tight, and my heart feels like it’s going to explode right out of me. My breaths come in short and fast. I feel like I can’t get enough air into my lungs. The room spins and the floor feels like it’s being pulled out from under me.
Stumbling over to a wall, I lean back against it, sliding down and curling myself into a ball. Tears stream down my face, and I can hear my blood pumping in my ears. I don’t even notice that someone else is in the room until he’s right in front of my face.
His hands find my shoulders. “Zoey. Sweetheart. Zo!” Ryker’s eyes are laced with concern. “Zo, what happened? You gotta talk to me, darlin’.” His right hand comes up to my face and wipes away some of the tears while his left holds my shoulder.
My head shakes back and forth. “H-He knows. He f-found me.” My stomach turns as those words leave my mouth. Every muscle tightens in me as I shiver violently.
“Who found you, Zo? Your ex?” Ryker places his hands on each side of my head. He tilts my face up so that I can make eye contact with him. “Talk to me, sweetheart. I need something to go on here.”
“The guy. Brett. My table.” My hands shake as I point back towards the restaurant. “H-He said I don’t l-look like a Zoey.” My voice is tight, and my words come out in ragged gasps.
Ryker’s hands suddenly leave me, and I can hear him talking to someone outside the back room after he disappears. I can’t make out what it is; my heartbeat is too loud.
He appears soon after, saying. “Zoey, come on. I’m gonna take you home.”
“No. No! He’s out t-there.” My head shakes violently back and forth, and I try and push Ryker away from me.
“Zo. Zo! Listen to me, whoever this ‘Brett’ guy is, he left. He’s not out there. Joan said he paid with cash and took off. I went outside, but I didn’t see anyone. I have Johnson and McCormick driving around town looking for him. Let me take you home, sweetheart. Please,” Ryker pleads, his eyes boring into mine.
Nodding, I let him wrap me up in his arms. He pulls me up and moves his hands so one slides under my legs and the other is around my back, holding me bridal style as he carries me out.