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She nods thoughtfully as my phone buzzes.

Lincoln:

Oh, it’ll be my pleasure, Darlin’.

Lincoln:

You free tomorrow night?

Me:

Thank you and yes.

“What do you love to do, Tate? Like really, really love,” Mia asks and I glance up from my phone.

“I don’t know. Read?”

She scoffs. “Yeah, don’t I wish I could get paid for that.”

“I actually really like working at the diner if it paid better.”

She nods, humming. “You could always go for a manager position the next time one opens up.”

“Yeah, I guess,” I whisper as a chill twists down my spine. God, why can’t I shake this? It was the same thing yesterday as I walked through the campus after my meeting with the counselor. I felt like I had eyes on me constantly and I didn’t feel safe again until I was in Lincoln’s arms.

My phone buzzes and I glance down.

Lincoln:

The club is having a family bbq.

Wanna go?

I smile at the message, loving that he wants to introduce me to the people important to him. Mia is right about him – he’s mine.

Me:

Absolutely.

“I’m going to go try this on,” Mia says, holding up a little black dress and I force a smile to my face. “Want to come with me?”

My gaze flicks around the store again and I shake my head. “No, I’ll wait out here but show me before you take it off.”

“You got it.” She bounces back to the dressing rooms with a grin on her face and I suck in a breath. As much as I would like to escape from this feeling, the thought of getting trapped back there with no exit is even more terrifying.

Turning back to the racks, I pull out a red dress that would barely even cover my ass and my phone buzzes. Sighing, I set the dress back and glance down.

Unknown:

Oh, not that dress, Darling.

It would clash with your gorgeous hair.

My hands tremble and I read the message three more times before it sinks in that someone is truly watching me. With tears burning my eyes, I type out my reply.

Me:

Who is this?