Page 12 of Ever After
Grayson was my kryptonite in high school. Even after all these years, not much has changed now. I still want what I can’t have.
True to his word, Grayson removes the tracker from my car, but the other one is gone, too. I’m relieved; maybe they got sick of following me. Grayson, on the other hand, is tense. His jaw is locked, and his eyes are narrowed as he searches around my car. I place my hand on his arm to reassure him, but it doesn’t seem to do anything but make him tense more.
“I’ll check in on you later today. If anything strange happens, or if you need me, call.”
I nod. “I will. Thanks again for letting me crash at your place last night. The thought of someone knowing where I live freaked me out. I didn’t want to be alone.”
“Anytime you need to stay, you’re welcome to, Finley.” He looks at the ground, then back up at me, that panty dropping smile etched in place. I want to run my finger over that damn dimple and feel his morning scuff on my face as we kiss. Warmth presses between my thighs, and a tightness forms in my belly as I picture it.
I nibble the flesh on my lower lip and push it back out, offering a curt nod, trying to push the fantasy aside. If I don’t get away from this man, I’m going to do something I might regret. I turn on my heel to walk up into my house, alone. As I glance over my shoulder, he’s standing there, watching me walk away. I do the only thing I can think of at that moment, and I add an extra sway to my hips. I’m not sure if I’m imagining things, but I swear, from a distance, I can hear him mutter, “damn.” I smile to myself as I unlock the door of my building.
The morning goes by as I complete mundane tasks with insurance and bills for the office. When I get a call from the police station letting me know I can reopen, I’m thrilled. Finally, some good news after a rough few days. I call Allie, and she agrees to meet me in an hour so we can clean up and get everything in order again. I should hire a cleaning crew, but I want to be able to look through my stuff to see if anything really is missing. I’m so lucky they didn’t smash through windows. The clean-up will be more picking up than anything.
I arrive and pull the caution tape down from the front door. I crumple it up and toss it in the wastebasket just outside the building. Looking around at the mess, I’m overwhelmed. I’m not sure where to start. Stuff litters the floor in front of me. Since my office has always been my favorite room, I start there. I take a deep breath and walk in. From the doorway, I see the desk isn’t broken, but the drawers are pulled out, and everything is on the floor. I’m thankful I don’t have to get a new one.
I step closer and notice a folded sheet of paper sitting on top of my desk. My name scrawled across it in thick, black sharpie. My fingers shake, and my heart pounds in my ears as I reach for the paper. I take a steadying breath before I look at the scratched words.
Bitches who can’t keep their mouths shut get it shut for them. You would make a fine addition to the business. Keep talking, see what happens.
I drop the paper and turn toward the noise coming from the entrance.
“Finley? Are you here?” Allie calls down the hall.
I shove the note in my purse and school my features the best I can. I don’t want to alarm Allie. I take a step out of my office and notice her petite frame standing in the entryway. She offers a small smile when she sees me, and I return the gesture.
“H-Hey, Allie.” I take a deep breath and put my hands behind me so she can’t see them shaking. “Thanks so much for coming by to help. We can get the furniture turned upright first, and then we can each tackle a room to get it done. With any luck, we will be out of here in a few hours.”
We both get to work, cleaning the office and getting everything organized again. Allie’s desk is worse for wear, and I order a new one, with the company promising to deliver it first thing tomorrow morning. Once everything is in place, I feel like I can breathe, knowing things will be back to normal soon.
My phone rings with a text from Grayson while Allie and I step out for a bite to eat.
Grayson:How are you doing today?
Me:Fine. Allie and I cleaned up the office. I can start seeing patients again tomorrow.
Grayson:I’d like to see you again. Can I come by tonight?
I smile as my insides do somersaults.He wants to see me again. Pinch me, I must be dreaming.Then, I remember the note from the office, and my stomach drops. I feel a weight on my chest as I think about what it said.
Me:Actually, can you stop by before tonight? There’s something I want to show you. I got another note today.
My phone rings, startling me, but I answer right away.
“Now isn’t a good time to discuss this. Can you just stop by to see it?”
“Pack a bag. You’re sleeping at my house, at least until all this blows over. You’ll be safe there. I can come to get you later, or I can text you my address and you can drive over.”
“Text me your address. I’ll drive. I need to be at the office early tomorrow. I have furniture being delivered.”
“All right, I’ll stop by your place this afternoon, and you can give me the note. I’ll see if the guys can try to match any fingerprints or DNA on it. I’ll also give you a key to my place. You can go and wait for me. I’m hoping tonight won’t take long.”
“Okay. See you later.” I hang up the phone. A sense of tranquility blankets me. Never in a million years did I think Grayson Bowers would evoke that sort of emotion.
Grayson
“Amelia, we’ve got a problem.”
She looks up from her computer. “What’s wrong now?”