“Why would Reed do that?” she asks and I roll my eyes.
“Because of the way I quit.”
Her eyes widen and she grabs my arms, shaking me a little. “Tate, you promised me that you didn’t hurt him.”
“Uh… no. I promised you that I didn’t kill him and that is true but he grabbed me when I was trying to leave and I punched him.”
“Anything else?” she asks, releasing me and planting her hands on her hips. I shrink back.
“I may have also pulled a knife on him but I mean, I didn’t cut him or anything.”
“Jesus Christ, Tate,” she breathes, shaking her head. “This is what I’ve been saying to you. It’s dangerous.”
“What would have happened if I hadn’t been able to defend myself, Mia? He could have raped me or worse. I refuse to back down and make myself small to support these fragile fucking egos. Besides, Lincoln thinks it’s sexy.”
“Or he’s scared you’ll gut him like an animal if he says any different,” she mumbles and I laugh as I poke her in the ribs.
“Shut up, jackass. Lincoln offered to take the guys to have a chat with Reed and I might just let him.”
Laughter bubbles out of her. “Oh, to be a fly on the wall when that goes down. Reed will probably piss himself.”
“One can only hope,” I add and we giggle together as I pull out my phone and send a text to Lincoln.
Me:
You know that Reed thing we talked about?
“Did you just tell him to do it?” she asks, trying to read the screen. I nod.
“I’m about to.”
Beaming, she turns back to the rack of clothes. “Perfect. Now, let’s find us some hot dresses.”
We start sorting through the racks, occasionally grabbing a hanger and holding it up for each other but nothing feels right. As I reach for a little red flowy number, the hair on my arms stand on end and I can’t shake the feeling that I’m being watched. I glance around the store as my phone buzzes with a text.
Lincoln:
Yeah, I do.
Me:
Will you handle it for me?
After pressing send, I blow out a breath and shake out my arms as I turn back to the clothes. It has to be just because I was talking about the whole Reed situation. As I start looking through clothes again, the sensation intensifies and I turn toward the large windows lining the walls, searching for anyone out of place but nothing stands out.
God, I’m losing my mind.
“So, speaking of money, what are you going to do now that you have some?” Mia asks and I turn back to her, shrugging.
“I’m not sure actually. I had a meeting with a school counselor yesterday but things have changed for me.”
She scowls. “How so?”
How haven’t things changed?
“When I wanted to go to school to become a nurse, it was only because it was a stable, well-paying job not because I loved it. Now, my options are wide open and I don’t know what to do.”
She nods thoughtfully as my phone buzzes.
Lincoln:
Oh, it’ll be my pleasure, Darlin’.
Lincoln:
You free tomorrow night?
Me:
Thank you and yes.
“What do you love to do, Tate? Like really, really love,” Mia asks and I glance up from my phone.
“I don’t know. Read?”
She scoffs. “Yeah, don’t I wish I could get paid for that.”
“I actually really like working at the diner if it paid better.”
She nods, humming. “You could always go for a manager position the next time one opens up.”
“Yeah, I guess,” I whisper as a chill twists down my spine. God, why can’t I shake this? It was the same thing yesterday as I walked through the campus after my meeting with the counselor. I felt like I had eyes on me constantly and I didn’t feel safe again until I was in Lincoln’s arms.
My phone buzzes and I glance down.
Lincoln:
The club is having a family bbq.
Wanna go?
I smile at the message, loving that he wants to introduce me to the people important to him. Mia is right about him – he’s mine.
Me:
Absolutely.
“I’m going to go try this on,” Mia says, holding up a little black dress and I force a smile to my face. “Want to come with me?”
My gaze flicks around the store again and I shake my head. “No, I’ll wait out here but show me before you take it off.”
“You got it.” She bounces back to the dressing rooms with a grin on her face and I suck in a breath. As much as I would like to escape from this feeling, the thought of getting trapped back there with no exit is even more terrifying.
Turning back to the racks, I pull out a red dress that would barely even cover my ass and my phone buzzes. Sighing, I set the dress back and glance down.
Unknown:
Oh, not that dress, Darling.
It would clash with your gorgeous hair.
My hands tremble and I read the message three more times before it sinks in that someone is truly watching me. With tears burning my eyes, I type out my reply.
Me:
Who is this?
I turn back to the dresses and try to focus but my mind is solely focused on the phone in my hand as I wait for it to vibrate. An emerald green dress catches my eye and I pull it out, examining it as the phone buzzes.
Unknown:
That green would look stunning on you.
The room feels like it’s closing in on me as I look up, scanning the rest of the store for anyone with a phone. A few people glance in my direction but no one looks out of place. My heartbeat thrashes in my ear and black spots dance across my vision. I grip the rack and close my eyes, drawing a fortifying breath before opening them again and turning toward the dressing rooms. Mia walks out of the first one and smiles as she does a little spin in her dress.
I gulp in air and force what I hope is a convincing smile to my face as I give her a thumbs-up.
“Shaun’s jaw is going to drop.”
She moves to the mirror and runs her hands down the front of the dress. “You think? I was kind of wanting something with color.”
“What about this?” I ask, holding up a chunky coral necklace and she beams as she spins around and takes it from me.
“Yes, this is perfect. Oh, and they have a matching bracelet.” She holds the necklace up to her body and I nod.
“You look gorgeous.”
“I’m so excited,” she squeals, doing a little dance on the pedestal. “What about you? Did you find anything you like?”
I shake my head. “No, we should go check out a different store.”
“Okay, just let me change and pay for this stuff.” She retreats back into the dressing rooms just as my phone buzzes.