Page 109 of Crash

“Tessa?”

My stomach dropped. No. Not him, not now. Not when Blake was on high alert, convinced someone was trying to murder me, for crying out loud.

Last night, Blake had made me go over everyone in my life like I was the star witness in some true crime documentary. He’d even brought out a pad of paper and created two columns, methodically listing everyone who might have even the smallest reason to dislike me.

That list included:

Eric Voss. Top of the list, obviously, what with his creepy-ass letters and prior violence. Though how he’d get poison into my system was a mystery. Blake sent the letters to some testing facility to see if they contained poison, but so far, they hadn’t come back. And Blake hadn’t gotten sick after touching them. But I digress.

Once Upon a Lifetime, my business competitor. Though I’d pointed out that successful companies don’t usually resort to murder to eliminate tiny competitors. Blake had written it down anyway, his doctor’s scrawl matching his determined expression.

My neighbor, or “the creeper,” as Blake dubbed him, who apparently had means, access, and a “concerning fascination” with my comings and goings.

Sure, the guy was odd, but murder? No. I think not.

Eli, my ex-boyfriend. Blake pointed out that plenty of love stories end in death. #Romance. I’d reminded him Eli was more of a golden retriever puppy. The only pit bull in my life currently was Blake.

Scarlett, my best friend, whose name I’d scratched out so viciously that I’d torn through the page. Blake had the audacity to suggest that “deep-seated jealousy can hide in the most unexpected places.” I’d nearly thrown the notepad at his head.

And after all that speculation of who might be trying to kill me (assuming someone was trying, which was still a far-fetched if) now here was Eli, standing on my porch with a pink wedding planner I’d completely forgotten about, while Blake’s entire body tensed like a guard dog spotting an intruder.

“I thought that was you.” Eli smiled, but it faltered when he caught the look in Blake’s eyes.

“What are you doing here?” I tried for surprised rather than horrified, but given Blake’s current murder-mystery obsession, I might as well have invited a cobra to afternoon tea.

“You asked me to drop this off.” Eli held up the binder like a peace offering.

“Oh, right.” The binder, once my pride and joy, filled with wedding planning ideas. In the chaos of this moment, I’d forgotten I’d asked for it back days ago. Not that I’d point out he was late …

Blake shifted beside me, his shoulders tensing. “Interesting timing.”

“Blake,” I murmured, touching his arm.

“Just returning her things.” Eli’s casual tone had an edge to it now.

Blake’s eyebrow arched. “And you just happen to show up the first time she’s been home in days?”

“I didn’t realize I needed to clear my schedule with you.” Eli’s smile stayed fixed, but his knuckles whitened around the binder.

“Just seems like quite a coincidence.” Blake’s voice was deceptively calm. “You holding on to her things this long, showing up right when she returns …”

“What exactly are you implying?”

“I think you know exactly what I’m implying.”

“What the hell is your problem?” Eli snarled.

“An ex lingering outside her place? Ever look up the wordstalkerin a dictionary?”

“You think I’m stalking her? That’s rich.”

“If the shoe fits …”

“You pretentious piece of—” Eli’s hands balled into fists. “You’re lucky I don’t rearrange that face of yours.”

Blake’s laugh was cold. “I’d love to see you try.”

“Guys, stop.” I pressed my palm against Blake’s chest, but he was like granite under my hand.