Callie missed her answer because Lock turned narrowed eyes on her. “You need to stop doing that.”
“Doing what?”
“Grabbing aggressive men. That’s twice in one day.”
“I’m not just going to let people hurt my friends.”
Lock glanced at the sky like he was searching for…something. Composure maybe? When he finally looked at her again, he appeared a bit calmer. “Fine. But don’t run out on me again. Next time, tell me what’s going on and I’ll take down the bad guy.”
He was right. Shit. She hadn’t been thinking. “You’re right. You can take care of the bad guy. I’m sorry.”
He kissed her, and in that kiss, she felt his desperate need to keep her safe.
CHAPTER 21
Callie’s gaze shifted from the reformer machine beneath her to the note on the desk. It had been waiting for her at the studio this morning. She hadn’t opened it yet. She’d told herself she’d open it when she finished her classes, but she hadn’t. Then she’d told herself she’d open it when she finishedherPilates session, and, well, she was almost done andstilldidn’t want to open it.
She paused at the end of her set of triceps extensions to glance out the window.
Even though it was the middle of the day, she’d still locked the doors. Lock had told her to, but she would have done it anyway. Between the notes and Aspen and Dylan, there was so much going on.
She began her stretches. She hadn’t finished the workout, but her mind was anywhere but on what she was doing.
Usually, Pilates and yoga were her escape from the real world. They took her mind off everything she had going on around her and let her turn inward.
Why was it not working today?
At least Antwan and Jesse were here—extra people in town to keep an eye out for anything that could go wrong. They werestaying at Lock’s house. With her there too, it was a nearly full home. She’d tried to convince Aspen to stay with them as well—heck, there were enough bedrooms—but her friend had refused. Why, exactly, Callie wasn’t sure.
Fifteen minutes later, she rose and moved to the desk. The note was mocking her. Just sitting there, waiting for her to open it.
Still, she didn’t touch it, not yet. First, she texted Aspen.
Callie: Hey! How’d your writing session go? Get much done?
How her friend could concentrate on anything other than that awful ex of hers, she had no idea. He’dgrabbedher last night, forced her outside.
What would he have done if he hadn’t been stopped? Forced her into his car? Dragged her to his house? Then what? And why hadn’t she wanted to involve Eastern?
A shudder skittered down her spine as her phone pinged with a response.
Aspen: I couldn’t concentrate so I decided to drown myself in cake at Sugar and Spice. Then Jesse showed up and we kind of spent the day together.
Callie’s brows rose. She’d spent the day with Jesse?
Aspen: Just as friends. We walked around. Talked. He’s sweet.
A small smile stretched Callie’s lips. Now, Jesse and Aspen were a relationship Callie could get behind. Not that her friend was in the headspace for dating right now.
She was glad Aspen had spent the day with him. Hewassweet. He was also big and intimidating, so if Dylan approached Aspen, he wouldn’t be afraid to hit the guy a second time.
A knock on the glass made Callie jump, and the phone dropped from her fingers. The air rushed from her chest when she saw Antwan outside. Good God, she was edgy.
She opened the door.
“Sorry,” he said as he stepped inside. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
She shook her head. “It’s not your fault. I was distracted.”
