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Chapter 3

Tobias

M y hands shake as I stare down at my phone. The words still aren’t registering, because what the fuck do I do with this information?

Eye flicking up to the door, I pull the latch again, making sure to double check the lock is definitely in place. I don’t need anyone walking in here and seeing the shit I’m looking at. They’ll report me for stalking, and then I’ll likely lose my job. Right now, after setting my eyes on her, that’s not something I’m willing to risk.

Besides, this isn’t stalking. This is me simply wanting to know more information about someone without their knowledge. It’s not a crime to do some research, even if my demands were probably threatening when the asshole said he could only get her address, date of birth, and what kind of car she drives back in her hometown.

No. I needed more.

And now, I kind of regret it.

The email came through a few hours ago, and ever since I scanned the message, my heart has been racing dangerously fast. I contemplated, or still am contemplating, crashing her night with her friend. They’re going to a club to see some band–I’d overheard Gabriella talking about it.

The more I think about it, maybe Justin and I need to blow off some steam.

It’s decided, then. We’re going.

Taking an annoyed breath because the voice in my head is getting erratic, I glance down at the screen once more.

Name : Aria Miller.

Age : Twenty-seven

DOB : May 8th.

My left eye twitches. I’ve only ever fucked one person, and she was older than me. What if the fact I’m only twenty-six puts her off me? What if she likes being with someone older or the same age? She didn’t seem too bothered when I told her my age before.

Her birthday is in May, so we have a month where we’re the same age at least. Maybe I can approach her in April and there won’t be an issue.

I shake my head and continue reading.

Birthplace : California. Moved to Scotland as a teenager-never picked up the accent.

Occupation : Clinical scientist-it seems she is quite dedicated and works more hours than she should, potentially to catch up to those who are either above her or to outdo her peers.

Family: No known siblings, aunts, uncles, or cousins. Parents are alive and married. Grandfather is deceased. Grandmother is alive. Only seems to have one friend who she recently moved in with, Gabriella McGhee.

Romantic relations: Ewan McElroy, aged 27, father to Jason McElroy, aged 10. In a relationship for 8 years?

My jaw clenches as I reread the last one. Who the fuck is Ewan? Does she have a kid with this guy? Does she care about him?

I’d wanted these details. I wanted to know everything about this girl.

Everything from her eye and hair color, to where she buys her coffee in the morning, to what perfume she wears and her weight at birth.

I frown at the bottom line again. A question mark next to the duration of their relationship. Does that mean it’s unclear? Maybe they were together less time and it might not even be a big deal. Is she single then? Taken? Do I care?

This guy was able to get all this information on her, but not if she’s still fucking this Ewan. It’s probably the most important piece. If she does have a kid, that’s fine. I can handle kids. They are tolerable. But if she belongs to someone else, that just isn’t going to work for me.

Will it stop me from staring at her? Following her back to her hotel? Hunting for her schedule to see when she takes her breaks so I end up on the same one as her? Nope. Still gonna do that.

Gulping, I blow out a breath and think.

I could just ask her if she’s single or if she has someone waiting on her back home. Maybe I can slip it in when we’re discussing schedules or if she brings up how hot it is here when Scotland will be cold and raining for the hundredth time.

I type back an email telling him to go deeper into her romantic relations and to send me shit on this Ewan. He quickly replies to confirm he’ll do just that.

I release a sigh and close my eyes, sliding my phone into my back pocket.

What the fuck is going on with me? I met her days ago, and now I’m hiring people to dig into her personal life, and for what?

Because I think she’s pretty?

Yes. Because she is pretty. Probably the only girl I’ve taken an interest in. My nerves around her are my first warning sign, but the deep, intense need to claim her over her little fucking desk is my biggest red flag that I need to calm down and take this as slowly and carefully as possible so I don’t scare her off.

Blowing out a breath, I check myself in the bathroom mirror and adjust my glasses before going back out into the ward to find my doctor.