We finished our meal with lighter conversation, though Nattie didn’t have many in-depth answers. As I drained the last of my soda, ready to ask if I could walk her somewhere or driveher somewhere or get her number I would have taken anything, she suddenly rose. “Well, thank you for the dinner. I need to go.”
“Wait,” I said, nearly choking on the soda as I leapt up and chased after her as she hurried across the parking lot. “Hey, umm, thanks for joining us.”
She took one last glance at Alex, making my stomach clench, before she flicked her gaze back to me. “Thank you for having me. I’m sorry, I need to go.”
“Nattie, wait,” I tried, but she turned on a heel and raced away, darting across the street before I could follow.
I stood staring after her as she disappeared. That was just my luck. The beautiful woman who had actually joined me for dinner bolted away at the first opportunity. It had been more than obvious that she wasn’t interested.
My heart sank, and I crossed back to the table, collapsing onto the bench.
“Did you get her number, bro?” Alex asked.
“Nope,” I said with a puff of my cheeks. “She couldn’t get away fast enough.”
I shook my head. “Did I come across badly? Was I too desperate or something?”
“Not at all,” Ava said with a shake of her head. “But there’s something weird about her.”
I wagged a finger at her. “If you’re about to say she’s weird because she actually took me up on my invitation?—"
“I’m not. Doc, you’re a catch. You know I think that. But you can’t deny that she was strange.”
“We’re strange, too, babe,” Alex said.
“Not like that. She seemed secretive, like she was hiding something.”
My heart sank at the words. I’d probably never find out if she was. I’d probably never see her again.
“We could totally find out.” Alex waved his cell phone in the air. “Doc may not have scored her number, but I did.”
“Ahhh,” Ava said with a wry grin, “Alex’s Watchful Eye strikes again.”
“Yep. Now…let’s see what Miss Nattie is hiding.”
I leaned closer, wondering if we’d learn anything about the mysterious woman who had caught my attention. Would this be yet another disaster for me?
CHAPTER 2
NATASHA
The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as I rushed through the cool evening air, my hands shoved tightly into the pockets on my less-than-chic windbreaker. It didn’t help that the fabric irritated my skin, and the massive tag in the back kept poking at my neck.
My lower lip throbbed, and my neck ached from twisting to peer over my shoulder.
I couldn’t help it.
I wasn’t in the Hamptons for a vacation. I was here in a desperate attempt to save my life from forces far too close to me.
They’d already taken too many people dear to me. At least for now, they had.
I wasn’t content to let that last. I was going to take back everything they’d taken, but it wasn’t going to be easy.
A crisp breeze ruffled my dark hair, blowing it across my cheek as I reached the door of my motel room. Its chipped, ugly green paint job gave me an uneasy feeling.
I unlocked the door, shoved it open, and rushed inside, slamming it shut behind me. My purse hit the floor as I scrambled to lock it.
Once every bolt was secured, I leaned back against the door with a shaky sigh. Rubbing at the tight muscles in my neck, my gaze drifted—then locked—on the open curtains.
