“Tell Ember what happened. You talk to her when nobody is here.”
It was true. Had he heard, or was he guessing? He pushed ahead into my room.
“After I check the closets, under the bed, and the windows.”
I paled further as I watched. Eric might still be here. I’d assumed the sound of the door had been his departure.
“If he’s here, this time I’ll kill him.”
One look at Christopher’s face convinced me of the truth. He was irate, but not with me. His temper was contained, if barely.
After checking every conceivable hiding place, he said, “We’re alone. You can do this. I need to know everything. Texting will take too long and leave too much out. I want every detail. There’s so much emotion in your head and mine I can’t get information. I need to know.”
My heart thumped against my ribs, reminding me I was too scared to speak.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Christopher’s mouth flattened as he handed back my phone.
“It was before we were back together. I didn’t want to talk about it and hoped it was over. I was also scared that you wouldn’t believe me. Meghan didn’t. Her disbelief made me wonder if it was real.”It was hard to meet his blazing eyes.
“I’m not mad at you. But you have to trust me.” His eyes searched mine.
Christopher must have been satisfied with what he saw, because he squeezed my arm and closed the door. Ember and I were on one side, he was on the other. A loud curse broke the silence as he saw the now-faded remnants of the heart. I expected him to come charging back, but he didn’t. I stood near the door, looked at my kitty, and spoke.
“I don’t know how to begin. It started months ago. Soon after the day at the park when we decided we couldn’t be together. I went grocery shopping at the store just down the street. Eric was there, even though he didn’t live in this neighborhood. He cornered me and taunted me. It wasn’t a coincidence, but I didn’t tell anyone. Soon after, things disappeared from my house. I was scared and almost called you, but you weren’t my boyfriend.” My voice got stronger as I progressed.
“I couldn’t figure out how anyone was getting in, but I had a feeling deep down that it was Eric, that he’d been here. It was never when I was home, always when I was at work. My intruder kept eating my apples. My pink underwear disappeared and my fuzzy purple socks, the ones I like to wear around the house after work. I found my book in a different place and the bookmark had disappeared. I checked the windows and locks over and over. Nothing was broken or forced. When I was alone, I checked them every hour. Meghan had the only spare key, but it wasn’t her.”
I took another deep breath and started again. My hands still shook.
“I tried to tell my family, but Meghan laughed. She didn’t believe me, made me feel stupid or forgetful. I didn’t know what to do. I found a note the morning after the exhibit reception, about looking fantastic in black, but I thought it was from you. But that means Eric watched me sleep. At least once. Probably more.” I stopped to catch my ragged breath.
There was more cursing from the hallway. The shadow from Christopher’s feet stretched in front of the door. Christopher was right there. I turned back to the bed, speaking only to Ember.
“Sometimes he followed when I walked to and from work. I thought I saw him waiting outside my karate class just before the trip to Reno, but I couldn’t be sure. Tonight, while I was in the shower, the front door closed and I thought it was you arriving with dinner.” I glanced at the door. Christopher was still there. I moved closer to Ember.
“I sensed his eyes all the time, watching me. He stays away when you’re with me, but it’s even happened at work, but only when I’m alone.”
I cried while I talked. It was such a release to speak. I petted Ember’s silky fur and traced the black stripes on her head with one finger. Her fur was so soft.
“Pack a bag.” Christopher had opened the door without me noticing.
His jaw was clenched and his eyes blazed brighter than lasers.
“I let Andrew know. Took a picture of your mirror. He’s going to meet someone who will change your locks and install an alarm this weekend. He’s going to dust for fingerprints. Until that’s done, you’re staying with me. I won’t let you be here alone for another minute.”
He opened the closet and yanked out my suitcases. He looked at me and dropped them to the floor with a thud.
I wrapped my arms around myself as I trembled.
“Lizzie, I’m not mad at you. I’m incensed that I didn’t notice. I can read minds, but I missed this, thinking all your fear was from the past. You don’t have to deal with everything on your own. Remember, we’re a team. I want you to trust me.”
He took a deep breath and blew the air out while he stared at the ceiling. He crossed the room and took my hand. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he tugged me into his lap and wrapped his powerful arms around me. Some of my tension left as I breathed in his familiar chocolate smell. I buried my nose against his neck and shoulder.
“I’m scared for you, Sweetheart. Will you please pack clothes and anything you’ll need for a week or two? Stay with me. I’d like you to.” His voice was quiet and even. “I have an alarm system, and I want you to be safe. A stalker is serious. I believe you. I’m sorry you’re scared. You don’t have to deal with it on your own. I promise to help.”
His arms and calm words helped more than anything. Relief flooded through me at his decisive action and his firm belief.
“He’s escalated to notes and flowers. He’s watched you sleep. This is fucked.”
