“It’s a hardcover diary about the size of this book.”She plucked a book off the floor and held it aloft.“My planner has spiral binding and a dragon on the cover.”
Henry crouched by a heap of papers and books.With deft hands, he sorted items into piles.Books.Papers.Others.
With another heartfelt sigh, Maia started searching.Her planner contained her upcoming writing commitments, editing dates, and advertising promo.She could recreate details from her email, but it would take time.The planner also contained details of her training program with Isabella and game days.
After twenty minutes, they had everything in neat piles.
Maia stood and rolled her shoulders before raising her hands in a stretch.“It’s gone.My planner was sitting on my desk because I jotted notes and added appointments yesterday.”
Henry tapped a message into his phone.“Do you have confidential info in there?”
“The info makes it clear I’m a writer.I try to keep that part of my life private because the last thing I need is a stalker.”As she uttered those words, she grimaced.“Perhaps someone has discovered my secret identity.”
“Another possibility we need to mention to Laura.”Henry patted her shoulder before drawing her into a hug.“Sweetheart, Laura needs to know in case there’s a link.We should’ve mentioned it earlier, but it didn’t occur to me.”He set her away.“Let’s go home.”
They walked outside hand-in-hand.
“Have you got your keys?We should lock your doors.”
She handed over her key ring and let Henry do the honors.
“I’ll need my car,” Maia said.
“I’ll follow you home.”
Maia drove to Henry’s place on automatic pilot.She didn’t pass any traffic, and apart from Henry’s headlights, visible in her rear vision mirror, she didn’t see another person.It was a relief.She’d started looking sideways at her friends and doubting her judgment.
Her persecutor had done this to her.
Task achieved.
She officially felt scared.
It wasn’t only her safety at risk, but those around her.What if something happened to Megan or London?To Isabella?Or worse, to Henry.
He’d become important.And to herself, she admitted the truth.Part of the reason she’d purchased her aunt’s property had been to thumb her nose at her deceased relative, but she’d never forgotten Henry interacting with the other kids.Kind.Strong.Calm.She’d wanted him to focus on her with the same intensity.
And now she shared his bed.
It should’ve been enough because she was young and wanted adventure.But the thought of having that experience without Henry at her side left a bitter taste in her mouth.She wanted that masculine confidence focused on her.
Yeah, she’d thought seeing him again would slice him down to mere man status instead of the godlike creature of her imagination.Hadn’t happened.Henry made her feel as if she could do anything, and not once had he scoffed at her dreams.
Samuel had tried to control her and lost his temper when she wouldn’t follow his instructions.He’d treated her rugby like a hobby she’d put away when bored.That was why she hadn’t told him about her writing, yet she’d shared with Henry.
Maia pulled into the A & D security driveway and parked in her usual spot.
What she needed to do was to tell Henry precisely what she wanted from her future.Maybe he could be flexible and see a way forward for them.
A forever future.
Maia thumped her head against the steering wheel, then abruptly straightened at a knock on her window.She pulled on the handbrake.
“Something wrong?”Henry asked.
“Feeling sorry for myself.I wish this person would accuse me to my face.”
Henry snorted.“They’re having fun tormenting you.”
