My phone buzzes with an email notification. Lucy.
Maya! Call me when you can. Have news!
I call her immediately, needing the distraction from obsessively tracking Reed’s movements.
“Finally!” Lucy’s voice is bright and excited. “I’ve been dying to tell you.”
“Tell me what?”
“I’m pregnant! Due in July. Martin’s over the moon with happiness.”
Genuine joy floods through me. “Lucy, that’s amazing. Congratulations. How are you feeling?”
“Exhausted and nauseous, but happy.” She laughs. “You’re going to be Auntie Maya again. Maribeth’s already planning to teach the baby everything.”
I smile, picturing Lucy’s four-year-old daughter taking her role as big sister very seriously. “I can’t wait. She’s going to be the best.”
“So will you. You were amazing with Maribeth when she was born.” Lucy pauses. “Maybe this will get your mom off your back about settling down? Another grandchild to spoil?”
I half-laugh at the thought. “You don’t know my mother. She’ll probably say something like ‘See? Lucy has two children, and you have none. When willyoumake me a grandmother?’”
“She does know Maribeth is her grandchild, right?”
“Logic doesn’t apply to Mom’s baby fever.” I move to the window again, searching for Reed. Still nothing.
“Speaking of...any prospects on the horizon?” Lucy’s tone turns teasing. “It’s about time you let someone into your life.”
I should say no. Should deflect. “I’m out at the construction site with a security guy.”
“And?”
“And nothing. We’ve been out here since Monday afternoon. We’re just…working together.”
“Maya Raymond,” Lucy chastises. “I’ve known you since college. That was not a ‘nothing’ pause.”
My face heats. “Okay, fine. Maybe I’m crushing a little. He’s competent and protective and,” I pause for a moment, “veryeasy on the eyes.”
“Easy on the eyes? That’s all?”
I force a laugh, keeping it light. “What else would it be? We just met. It’s probably just proximity and adrenaline.”
But even as I say it, I know what I feel for Reed is more than just physical attraction. I can’t explain the connection I feel with him, but I feel like I can be who I am, and he’s not going to judge me or tell me I’m lacking somehow.
“Probably not anything,” I add, deflecting. “But he’s sure easy on the eyes.”
“Uh huh.” Lucy doesn’t sound convinced. “Well, keep me posted if it becomes something.”
“I will. And Lucy? I’m really happy for you.”
After we hang up, I return to the window. The vulnerability hits me suddenly, unexpectedly. Someone’s been targeting this property for weeks. Escalating. What if they stop focusing on the buildings and start focusing on me personally?
The thought makes my stomach drop. If someone wanted to hurt me—
But I’m not out here alone. Reed’s here. An absolute certainty washes over me that if something happened, if someone came for me right now, Reed Ambrose is the only person I’d want at my side.
I trust him. Completely. After only a handful of days.
Thinking about someone targeting me should be terrifying, but Reed makes me feel safe in a way I’ve never felt. He hasn’t said as much, but on some level, I understand he would protect me with his own life. I gasp as I consider the significance of that.
