He’d imagined many times hearing her say that she loved him, but that seemed the closest she ever got: a general sentiment about her whole family loving him in a general way. While he appreciated that, he wanted something more personal from her. He wantedherto lovehim.
He watched them a moment longer as they walked away, then turned his attention to the matter of Jim. The guy realized once Mike was almost at his side that he was being approached. Alook of worry flitted over his features, replaced very quickly by a pointed show of confidence.
“You’re Jim?” Mike asked, keeping his tone calm but firm.
“Yeah. Who’re you?”
“My name isn’t necessary.” Mike assumed his most steely glare, the one that had sent any number of would-be bullies running away during his school years and had put a few would-be career saboteurs in their places in more recent years. Mike wasn’t the most threatening-looking guy— he knew that about himself— but he also knew how to give people a moment’s pause when need be. “You’ve been making a nuisance of yourself, bothering a young woman who is family to me.”
“I don’t—”
“Don’t play stupid. I know you’ve been contacted recently regarding this matter, and I know you know exactly who I’m talking about.”
Jim didn’t make anymore objections, so he must have understood.
“You’ve seen people who’ve been looking out for her: her friends and roommates, the police. But you haven’t seen me, have you?”
That clearly confused him.
“Think about that. There are people watching you who you don’t even see.” He stepped in the tiniest bit closer and lowered his voice to what he knew was a sinister whisper. “Cause any further trouble for her, and I’ll know it. I’ll see you, Jim, even though you don’t see me.” He offered a knowing smile. “Enjoy Florida.”
Jim’s eyes pulled wide. “How did you know—”
“I always know.” Mike left it at that.
He glanced back only once and spotted Jim moving very swiftly in the other direction. The implied threat likely wouldn’t be enough in and of itself to send the kid packing for good,but combined with the police’s earlier visits, it might make him think twice before continuing to follow Kristina around campus, or anywhere else.
It wasn’t a guarantee, but it was something.
Chapter Seven
Kristina spent the next four nights at the hotel after her shift at the department store, studying for her last remaining finals, taking advantage of free meals, and, though she only admitted it to Mike, enjoying her mother’s company. On the fifth day, campus police informed them that Jim had left for Florida. That called for a celebration.
Mike found a few cheap Christmas decorations, a tin of butter cookies, and Kristina’s favorite: a carton of eggnog.
He also swung by a print shop.
“What is this?” Celeste said when he handed her the rolled-up print, tied with a ribbon.
“A Christmas gift,” he said. “For you.”
“You’re a few days early.” It couldn’t have been a complaint; she was eagerly untying it.
“What is it?” Kristina asked him while watching her mom.
“Something your mother will appreciate,” he answered quietly. “We’ve spent a lot of time talking about Christmas wishes.”
Kristina tossed him one of her signature grins. “I think you two have enjoyed your holiday, despite having to come up here and sort out my mess.”
Mike gave her an affectionate, fatherly hug. He’d told her again and again the past five days that she’d been anything but a nuisance. Eventually she would believe it.
Celeste unrolled the print. She sucked in a quick, sharp breath before bursting with laughter. “Where did you get this?” She managed to formulate the question between laughs.
“I had it made up. I couldn’t think of anything you’d want more.”
She couldn’t seem to stop laughing, which was exactly the response he’d been hoping for.
“What is it?” Kristina stepped around her mom, getting her first look at his offering. “Is that Snoop Dogg?”
