Page 36 of Rum & Coke

“Called the cops.”

“Oh.”

“It’s better to document it and let them run the plates. They can take it from there. I want you to be safe.”

“Okay. Can we do it from my place? I really should get home and let Sophia go to sleep.”

“Yes, I’ll follow you.”

“Okay. Thank you. Really. I feel so much safer with you here.”

I smiled warmly at her. “I would die if anything happened to you.” Those eight words were one hundred percent true, even though it took me off guard that I said them. Escorting and stripping weren’t dangerous jobs until situations came up like what had happened tonight. People got obsessed, and there was no telling what they’d do to have you all to themselves. Even though it had only been a few months, my life would suck without Tessa in it.

She smiled warmly back at me. “I feel the same way.”

I stared at her for a beat, wondering if she meant what I assumed she meant. Before I could ask, I fucking yawned.

“We should really get to my place, and then you can go home, too.”

“I’m not leaving you until we talk to the cops. You’re crazy if you think otherwise.”

“Vin—”

I opened the door. “I’ll follow you.”

“Okay.”

I got out and turned, leaning inside. “Your car smells like cotton candy too.” I winked, and shut the door without letting her respond, and walked back to my car.

After we both started our engines, I followed her to her place, looking in my rearview mirror for any car that might have been following us. I didn’t see any that were consistent with each turn we took. Once we were there, I parked in a guest spot and jogged to where I’d seen her park. I wasn’t going to let her walk anywhere alone.

“You know I work tomorrow night too, right?”

“Yeah?”

“Are you going to escort me every night?”

“If I have to,” I deadpanned.

“Vin—”

“Let’s just get into your apartment and call the cops and see what they say.”

“Okay.”

We walked to the second floor apartment, and with every other step, I looked behind us to see if a car pulled up or a person was following us. By the time we made it to her door, there was no one, and I was hopeful that fucker didn’t follow us when we left the Target parking lot. Tess stuck the key into the lock, and we entered her living room, which was lit by one lamp near the couch. On the sofa was an older lady who I assumed was Sophia.

Her gaze met mine and I smiled as Tessa introduced us. “Sophia, this is my friend Vinny, who I went to L.A. with. Vinny, this is Sophia.”

Sophia struggled slightly to get off the couch, but she made it by the time I moved to her to shake her hand. “It’s nice to meet you. Sweet Tessa hasn’t told me much about you, but I hope that changes.”

I turned my head toward Tessa, and she blushed with a shrug. “Not much to tell,” Tessa admitted.

“Yet,” I stated.

Sophia patted my cheek like most grandmas do. “I like you already.”

I smiled. “Thank you. I like you already too.”