Chapter 33
Four days later and Craig still hadn’t contacted me. All that worrying for nothing. All the added stress, for nothing. All the extra coverage Chris would have to pay for, for nothing.
I felt like an over-reactive scaredy cat.
I hadn’t heard from Jamie either. Except yesterday, when he came to the house to tell me officers had arrested Craig the day before, at work, and he’d posted bail that morning. When I mentioned wanting to block Craig’s number, Jamie asked me not to. He said Craig might contact me before coming here, giving SSI time to prepare.
That was it, he didn’t try talking to me about anything else. I was right, he changed his mind and doesn’t want to go out with me.
After four days with out a peep, I was beginning to think Craig had finally given up. SSI had helped me move, and report him when he violated the restraining order, so maybe he finally realized it was stupid to keep harassing me.
Is it finally over?I hoped so. I was done with him; he’d never touch me again. Sadly, it seemed I was done with Jamie too, though that wasn’t by choice.
Later, Ashley called and said, “I’m coming over tomorrow.” She insisted on take me out to Sunday brunch, and shopping, claiming I needed some cute new clothes, and something sexy for when Jamie got his head out of his ass and finally asked me out. She didn’t believe for a second that Jamie didn’t want to go out with me.
“Listen Em, it can’t be easy worrying about protecting you when all he wants to do is kiss you. He’s afraid he’ll fuck up.”
I can’t believe she’s defending him.“I don’t think that’s it. I think he realized I’m too messed up and have too much baggage. He changed his mind after he saw all those texts from Craig.”
“You forget, I was there. I saw the look on his face. He was scared-”
“Of failing at his job.”
“You don’t really believe that, do you?”
“I don’t know. He told Chris I was more than a job but now, now he’s acting like I’m nothing more than a client he has to protect. He said I”m a distraction.”
“You’re acting like an idiot-”
Did she just called me an idiot? “What?”
“You heard me. I love you Emily Taylor, but right now you’re acting like an idiot. Think about it, he lost his wife to a stalker. He’s not afraid of failing at his job. He’s afraid of making a mistake and losing you. Like he lost Isabelle. Why can’t you see that?”
“I…” Could she be right? I hadn’t really given him a chance to explain. Did I twist his words and freak out over nothing? What would he have said if I hadn’t run out on him?
“Listen, I know you’re not an idiot, so please just think about what I said.”
Maybe she had a point. Jamie had felt helpless when he lost Isabelle a few years ago. And maybe he was worried about me getting killed by Craig. But wouldn’t he want to be closer to me, not farther, if that’s the reason? I convinced myself it wasn’t the same. Isabelle was the love of his life. I was his best friend’s little sister who wasn’t smart enough to leave the guy who beat her up. He wanted to do his job and protect me. And that was all.
When I didn’t answer her right away she said, “We’ll talk about it tomorrow, over mimosas.”
I emailed Meg at SSI, so they’d know I was going out. I pounded the keys on my laptop as I apologized for not having enough details. Why am I apologizing for having plans with a friend? I told her Ashley was picking me up around eight, then we were going out for breakfast and shopping. I hit the enter key harder than necessary to send the email. My frustration was unjustified, but I was sick and tired of having to report my every move like a kid who got grounded for missing curfew.
I want my life back.
I knew it was for my safety, but I was convinced the threat had passed. Craig hadn’t contacted me and I’d didn’t think he would, so I thought it was crazy I still had a bodyguard. Craig’s messages had scared me, so I’d felt better the first day or so knowing someone from SSI was nearby. But I didn’t need them anymore. Surely if he was going to retaliate, he would have done it by now.
In her reply, Meg told me not to apologize for not having all the details, which took a little of the energy out of my anger. She asked if we wanted Eric to drive, suggesting it’d be easier for everyone. She added it might be fun if we thought of him as our chauffeur, adding we could have mimosas at breakfast or drinks at lunch without worrying about driving. Meg had no way of knowing Ashley and I had teased Jamie about being our chauffeur when we went to the fair last week. I cringed at the memory. What had started as an amazing weekend had ended in fear and heartache.
For the last week, every time I looked at the car outside I’d hoped to see Jamie. It didn’t matter that Meg sent me a schedule so I always knew who was assigned to watch the house, and who was assigned to me if I went anywhere, I still hoped to see Jamie. At first I was surprised Jamie was never listed as my bodyguard, but then I remembered he thought I was a distraction, so it made perfect sense.
I wanted to decline—I didn’t want a driver, or a bodyguard, and I didn’t want to keep being reminded about Jamie and his need to keep a safe distance from me—but figured I should talk to Ashley first.
My text to Ashley was more about venting than asking her opinion. And once again, she sided against me.
Come on Em, it’ll be fun to have a driver.
Seriously??
Seriously! We can call him Jeeves and act all posh and drink in the back seat.
I couldn’t help but laugh, despite how annoyed I felt with her.
We can’t drink in the car, it’s not a limo.
Fine, but I like the idea of having mimosas with breakfast and starting the day off right.
She had a point. A mimosa or two might help me relax and take my mind off things for a few hours while we went shopping.
Okay, I’ll tell Meg Eric can drive us around.
Yay!! *smiley face emoji*
The next morning, Eric parked in the driveway twenty minutes before Ashley’s expected time. He waited in his car, then met us at the door when I texted him we were ready to leave. Does he really need to escort us to his car and open the doors for us?
I forced myself to laugh when Ashley made a joke about there still being a few gentlemen left in the world, before climbing into the back seat. Eric didn’t crack a smile.
Something about his professional tone when he answered her with a “Yes ma’am” made me anxious. His presence reminded me that Craig was still a threat. Or at least SSI thought so. Which was exactly what I didn’t want to think about today.
Today was supposed to be a fun girl’s day and I regretted not taking our own car. At least then we could try to lose him. I shook my head at my foolishness. Not only did I think we weren’t clever enough to ditch a professional bodyguard, but I couldn’t do that to my family, or SSI—they’d assume the worst if I succeeded. Not to mention, SSI would start a man hunt, and then everyone would be mad at me. And in the end I’d feel even worse, so it’d be a lot of chaos for nothing.
Ashley searched online and found a cute little café just outside Fort Worth. “They’re famous for their breakfast mimosas,” she said with glee as we looked at the menu during the drive. We wanted to be ready to order as soon as we sat down.
I tried to think of Eric as our chauffeur, not my bodyguard, like Ashley was, because she was having fun, and I wasn’t. But I couldn’t.
I need to relax.
Ashley texted me that Eric fit the SSI eye-candy bodyguard criteria. I rolled my eyes but didn’t reply.
Eric was a good looking guy, but his harshness detracted from his looks. I wonder if he ever smiles. I tried to remember if I saw him smile at the BBQ, but I’d been so focused on Jamie I’d barely noticed anyone else.
At the café, we each ordered two different mimosas so we could try four flavors. The lavender blueberry was my favorite, but Ashley thought it was too sweet. Her favorite was called Sweet Heat, and had chili powder in it, but I thought it was too spicy. One of the great things about our friendship was how different our tastes were, because we always encouraged each other to try new things. Sometimes it was a hit, sometimes a miss, but we always had fun trying.
I tried not to notice Eric sitting three tables down, pretending to read on his phone as he drank his coffee, during breakfast. But I did. I couldn’t forget about him, or why he was there.
It wasn’t any better at the mall. His presence was distracting and despite my best efforts, I couldn’t stop thinking about him hovering nearby. Jamie wouldn’t have hovered menacingly, he would have stayed close and offered to carry my bags. Stop thinking about Jamie.
To the other shoppers Eric probably looked like he was browsing casually, but if anyone paid attention for more than a few seconds they might have thought he was a stalker, because he followed us where ever we went, lingered near us while we tried on clothes, and he never bought anything.
Ashley was none too quiet when showing me low-cut, form fitting dresses. “This’ll look amazing on you, Jamie will go gaga if you wear this on your first date.”
And of course I was worried Eric would overhear her and tell Jamie I was shopping for our no-longer-happening first date. Does he know Jamie had asked me out? Does he care? What would Jamie think if he heard what Ashley was saying? I made it a point to loudly remind Ashley that we weren’t going on a date. Just in case.
“Yeah, yeah, says you. I say it’ll happen eventually.”
“I doubt it.”
Eventually I found a cute dress and matching shoes that could work for a date, but not “our” date because we weren’t going on one. I also found a cute pair of boots and some fun new tops. It was nice to buy myself new clothes and not worry about getting yelled at when I got home for wasting money, or trying to impress ‘some guy’ who only existed in Craig’s head. As a fuck you to Craig, I splurged on some new leggings and sports tanks for running. I wanted to look cute now that I could run outside again. I wonder if the SSI guys will run with me, like Jamie did, or if they’ll drive slowly behind me.
We had a huge breakfast, so we didn”t eat lunch, but by the time we finished shopping we were hungry. So we decided to stop for an early dinner on the way home. We found an Irish pub with good reviews, and decided pub grub was exactly what we needed. It was a bit early for the dinner rush so we were told we could sit anywhere. Turns out they didn’t care, but Eric did. He pointed out a table for us, then sat down nearby, choosing a table that allowed him to see us and the door without having to turn around. He ordered a burger, a beer, and a water.
I wasn’t supposed to be paying attention to him and wished I could pretend he wasn’t there, but I couldn’t. So, I noticed he ate his fries with ketchup, and drank his water, but not his beer. He would pick it up and lift it to his lips but he never actually drank it. I only knew because the glass stayed full. Again, something you’d only notice if you were paying attention for any length of time.
I felt a little better after our first round of beer, and even better after we had the shots of whiskey Ashley insisted on ordering to celebrate my new wardrobe.
“It’s hardly a new wardrobe, just a few outfits,” I argued, but didn’t decline the shot.
“Then here’s to you not cutting your bangs.” We clinked our shot glasses and tossed back the amber liquid. It burned going down, causing us both to cough.
After I recovered I yelled at her. “We agreed to never mention that again!”
She grinned and shrugged.
I’d done what many women do after finding out their boyfriend cheated—I got drunk and cut my bangs. Luckily, I hadn’t cut them too short, but I did have to pay someone to fix them because they weren’t even close to even.
“I still can’t believe you thought it’d be a good idea.”
“I know, I looked so awful.”
“You really did.” We both laughed, then ordered another round when the server came to check on us.
“Thank you Ash.” She didn’t correct me. “I needed this.”
Before long, Ashley turned the subject back to Jamie. She thought I was over-reacting and should talk to him.
“Emily, you’re looking at it all wrong. You’re not a distraction, his feelings for you are. We literally just talked about this. He’s scared because of what happened to Isabelle.”
It wasn’t like Ashley to be the hopeless romantic type. Or for her to try so hard to convince me to be with a guy. But I like him, and she knows it. And I did run out on him without giving him a chance to finish. Maybe she’s right, maybe I should give him a chance to explain.
“Okay, I’ll call him after I get home. Happy?”
“Yes.” She raised her glass, we clinked and finished our beers in one big swig.
I made sure to text my parents to let them know I was okay and having dinner with Ashley, and promised to text them our ETA when we left. I didn’t bother messaging anyone from SSI; I knew Eric would keep them updated.
Ashley had to leave as soon as we got back to my place so we said our goodbyes in the driveway while she tossed her bags in her trunk. Eric stood nearby, watching. I’ll be so glad when this is over. I think I’ll tell Jamie I don’t need a bodyguard anymore. If Chris still insists on someone shadowing me, then fine, but I didn’t want someone hovering over me every time I left the house. It was unnecessary, and obnoxious.
“Remember, you said you’ll call Jamie.”
“I remember.” I couldn’t hide my smile. I didn’t want to get my hopes up too much, but I missed him and wanted to talk to him. And more than anything, I wanted Ashley to be right.
“Call me after you talk to him. I want to know how it goes.”
“Promise. Later Ashley. Text me when you get home, okay?”
“Will do. Later.”
I picked up my shopping bags, refusing Eric’s help, and carried them to the door. I saw him getting in his car as I shut and locked the door behind me.