Page 53 of Make You Mine

“Is that—” Hannah pauses. “What’s his name?”

“Joseph?”

“Yes!” she exclaims. “The school janitor?”

“Indeed.”

“Dayum. When did he get hot?”

“He’s always been hot. He’s just wearing clothes other than his uniform, and there’s no cap covering most of his face.”

“And what a difference that makes.” She fans herself with a hand. “Hot damn. Should we talk to him?”

“I’m not going to, but you should.”

I’m more preoccupied with what he’s doing here. In the same place I am.

After I texted my stalker my location.

Especially since he was around when I found the page of my diary on the bulletin board at school.

Either Joseph has something to do with my stalker, knows him, or he’s always at the wrong place at the wrong time. It’s hard to tell.

Even if I wanted to confront him, he’s not going to straight up tell me it’s him. I can’t do it unless I have evidence.

“Do you think so? Hmm.” Hannah bites her fingernail. “And how exactly would I do that? Go up to him and say hi, we’ve been working together for years, but I haven’t noticed you’re exactly my type until now?”

I laugh a little too loud. “Girl, you’re killing me. You’re the expert between us.”

“I am.” She sighs. “But it’s been a while, remember?”

“Right.”

Something clicks in my head.

I haven’t gotten a sample of Joseph’s handwriting. I have everyone at school except him. I couldn’t catch him during my break time. Seems like this might be the perfect excuse for Hannah to approach him. I don’t want to take advantage of Hannah’s kindness, but it’d be a win-win for both her and me.

“Okay, girlie, listen up. I have the perfect idea.”

Hannah tilts her head my way.

“I didn’t ask for his handwriting today. Maybe you should. I think I have some paper and a pen on me, let me check.” I unzip my handbag and dig for a notepad I always keep with me.

I tear off a page and hand her a pen as well. “Here you go.”

“Maddy, really? At a bar?”

“Why not? We work together, and he knows we’re preparing for the charity event. I’m sure he’ll be happy to help. Even if his handwriting sucks, it’s a way in.”

She purses her lips. A few moments later, she sighs, stretching out her hands. “Okay, I’ve got nothing better. I’ll do it. Want to go together?”

“I—I don’t want to get in the middle,” I say. “I’m being an invisible wing woman today. Watching from afar. Go get him, girl. You’ve got nothing to worry about. You’re a babe.”

She smiles at me, her confidence clearly showing as she gets up and heads to the bar. “Thanks, Maddy.”

I’ve got a much better view than I anticipated from here.

I’m captivated by the movie playing in front of me as Hannah approaches Joseph with his friends, presses a hand over his shoulder, then goes on to show him the piece of paper and hands it to him.