She looks amused.
I straighten, trying to recover what little dignity I have left.
“Hi.” I run a hand through my hair, then smooth my button-down shirt. “I don’t normally scream like a?—”
She cocks her head, waiting.
I am absolutely blowing this.
“Woman?” Her red lips curl into something halfway between a smile and a snarl. It’s hard to tell in the dim light.
“Umm… well… I uh…”
She laughs and puts a hand on my elbow.
“You can say it. I won’t be offended.” She leans in, lowering her voice. “But I’ve heard men scream louder and higher than women. We’re talking full-on soprano.”
I laugh, and it comes out way dorkier than I intended.
“Are you talking to your girlfriend?” she asks, looking up at me through long, dark lashes.
I blink at her, unable to comprehend what she’s asking.
Girlfriend?What girlfriend?
“On the phone,” she says, pointing to where it landed. “You were arguing with someone.”
Oh. I get it. She was close enough to hear me arguing with Julia.
I stare at her for a second too long.
Was she listening?Where was she? Why didn’t I see her until now?
She stares at me with curiosity in her eyes and a slight smile on her red lips.
She looks harmless.
But so does Ivy. And she stalked my brother.
Her smile grows, and she takes a step closer. So close I can feel the heat of her warm body against mine.
This is... not normal.
Right?
I’m probably overreacting.
Just because my brother ended up with a stalker doesn’t mean I’m about to attract one too. It’s not like there’s a stalker gene in our family.
Oh, God. Is that a thing? Should I Google it later?
No. Absolutely not.
That’s ridiculous.
Lightning doesn’t strike twice.
She’s still staring at me, waiting for my response.
