With Levi eradicated as a suspect, I’m at a loss. I’m nothing but a terrified fish in a glass barrel with too many people watching.
Well,oneperson watching.
I add this number to my growing list of the ones that Hopefully Yours has used. I’ve tried texting each of them countless times to no avail. Undeliverable. I chew the inside of my cheek, a tentative idea edging into my mind. I hit “call” on the latest number and hold my breath.
It rings.
It’s actually ringing.
Each passing second makes my heart hammer harder in anticipation for whose voice will soon be on the other line.
Then the call drops with an error beep.
I curse, pulling up each of the other numbers and calling them as well. Each disconnects with the same beep.
I frown down at my phone, but I guess it kind of makes sense. If my texts are undeliverable, why would my calls be any different?
It’s like whatever method H.Y. is using to harass me with is hellbent against me discovering their identity. Unless they’re biding their time until the perfect moment…
I curse again, rifling through my bag until my fist curls around my pepper spray. The metal encasement is smooth beneath my fingers, and I count my exhales as I trace circles across the silver surface.
I’m going to be fine.
Whoever it is will tire of their little game, and soon this whole mystery will be in the past.
I tip the driver and place one heeled boot after the other onto the sidewalk in front of the museum.
I’ve barely closed the taxi’s door when I sense movement behind me,waytoo close for comfort.
“Aghhh!” I whirl, popping the encased pepper spray open and ready to aim.
“Holy—” A blur of black dreads ducks beneath my arm, and I look down to find Rohan cowering. “Kate! Stop! It’s just me.”
I clutch the canister to my harried breathing. “You scared me.”
“Obviously.” Rohan dusts his hands off on his jeans and stands, chest heaving as he eyes my tiny weapon. “You sure know what you’re doing with that thing.”
“Yeah,” I pant. “I do.”
The taxi pulls away as I try to compose myself.
Rohan’s full cheeks lift into a tentative smile. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you like that. Just wanted to say hi.”
“Well, hi.” I laugh, but it still sounds breathy. I gesture up the limestone steps to the museum. “You working a Saturday shift?”
His two-inch dreads flop as he nods. “Just got done, actually.”
“Rats,” I say with a smile. “Could’ve used a matcha latte right about now.”
“Don’t worry, babe.” He winks. “I’ll have it ready on Monday. That is, unless you’re free for dinner tonight?”
I push a palm into his shoulder, and he laughs.
“You never give up, do you?” I say.
“Nope. Not when it comes to a pretty girl like you.” Rohan swaggers off with a little wave.
My adrenaline plummets as I turn to climb the steps, each one feeling a bit higher than the last. My heart aches, my nerves are shot, and I need some time to process what my life has become.
