“I’ll drive you home,” Connor said.
“I have my car.”
“Aaron and I will drop it off this evening.” Rachel gave her a pleading look. “I don’t want you driving while you’re upset, and I’ll feel better knowing Connor’s right there with you.”
Normally, their behavior would make her feel suffocated, but she appreciated having friends who cared this much about her. She gave them a weak smile. “I’ll ride home with Connor.”
“If anything happens here, I’ll call you.” Carl gave her a sideways, one-arm hug. “We’ll have a person watching the cameras at all times.”
“Thank you. All of you. Everyone should be so blessed to have you as friends.”
Connor escorted her to her office, where she retrieved her purse and lunch bag. She didn’t even stop to tell her workers bye, not trusting herself to keep her composure. Rachel said she’d take care of that for her.
“Did you eat?” Connor asked on their way home.
She lifted her bag. “My lunch is still here.”
“Want a burger, fries, and milkshake?” He gave her an impish smile. “If ever there was a time for it, wouldn’t it be now?”
“You know what, that sounds deliciously bad for me, but let’s do it.” Alone with Connor in his truck, she could believe her world hadn’t crashed again. She felt cherished and safe with him.
He swung into the closest fast-food restaurant and got into the drive-thru lane. “Strawberry or chocolate?”
“Chocolate. Extra thick.” She smiled at him, at peace for the moment.
“You’ve got it.” He placed their orders at the speaker and drove forward as each car ahead moved.
She didn’t miss the constant shifting of his eyes. He wasn’t letting his guard down, even though it was highly unlikely Brad would find her on the road, in an unmarked police unit. They ate their food on the way home, and she’d finished all but her milkshake by the time Connor pulled into her apartment complex.
While she didn’t want to admit it, she was terrified to step outside of the car. She could picture Brad waiting for her outside her apartment door. Or worse, that he’d found her apartment and broken in. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply and let the breath out slowly.
“It’s going to be okay,” Connor assured her from the driver’s seat.
“I know. Deep in my heart, I do, but my brain doesn’t know how to turn off the fear.”
“It’s understandable.” His assured smile helped ease her nerves. “I’ll walk in front of you and check out all the spaces.”
“Thank you.” Her hands shook as she opened the door, despite her best efforts to stay calm.
“Maybe we’re overreacting,” she said when they were inside her apartment. “Why would he come after me, knowing it would send him straight back to jail?”
He twisted his lips, not quick to tell her otherwise. “It’s better that we’re safe and prepared. I’ll take Lilly out. Lock the door behind me, and don’t open it until you know it’s me.”
“I think I know that.” She scowled, not wanting to be irritable but her nerves were on edge. She was allowed one smart remark.
“I know, and I’m sorry. The thought of anything happening to you drives me crazy.” He kissed her forehead. “I’ll try to be better.”
“It’s my fault. You’re only trying to help, and I shouldn’t have snapped.”
“Where’s Lilly’s leash?”
She smacked her head. “In the dryer. I dropped it in a mud puddle this morning.”
She went into the kitchen, where her small apartment size washer/dryer combo was and pulled the leash out. Lilly came running into the kitchen to greet her. Tiffany scooped the dog into her arms and gave her a big hug, incredibly grateful she’d gotten the dog. Lilly might not be a guard dog, but she kept Tiffany company and could always make her smile.
Once Lilly had been taken out, they settled on the sofa and watched a series of mindless comedy movies. Anything to keep her mind off the situation. She tried not to jump every time the sound of a car door made its way to her apartment, or when her neighbor came home and banged their door.
Throughout the afternoon and evening, Connor slipped into the hallway to take a phone call. She didn’t want to be nosy, but she was curious.If it’s important, she told herself,he’ll tell me.
