20. Flick
Flick
On the drive back from visiting Sebastian’s family, we talked about coming to the police station first thing this morning before my shift at Knit Happens and his at the vet to report what’s been going on with the messages and package I received.
I’m trying to keep a cool head but I’m really anxious as to what the police will have say about everything.
When we arrive, the receptionist makes a quick call and we’re escorted down the hall to an office where someone is waiting to take my statement. Detective Harlow leans back in his chair, studying me with a serious expression.
“So you said the messages started about two weeks ago?” He asks.
I nod, gripping Sebastian’s hand on the arm of the chair next to me. “At first, it seemed harmless. Just an online fan. But then it got…personal. They’ve dropped a package off at my home and showed up at the coffee shop when I was there.”
The detective’s pen scratches across the notepad in front of him. “And you’ve blocked the account?”
“Yes, and that’s when the other things started happening. Sometimes I’ll get a notification that there’s motion at my front or back door, but when I pull up the camera feed, I don’t see anything.”
Sebastian looks over at me with his eyes wide. I hadn’t even told him that yet, not wanting to seem like I’m overreacting if it’s just a squirrel or a leaf being blown across my porch by the wind.
“Unfortunately, it’s common for online harassment to escalate like this,” he says sympathetically.
“It’s good that you’re taking it seriously.
We’ll open a case and keep an eye on it.
If you still have the package, we’ll need to see it.
The lab can test it for prints and see if it gives us any other clues.
In the meantime, I recommend keeping your online presence to strictly business.
No real-time updates about what you’re doing or personal information. ”
“Is there anything else we can do?” Sebastian chimes in for the first time.
Detective Harlow looks between us. “You’re doing all the right things. If they make any further contact—especially in person—call us immediately. Don’t ignore your gut feelings.”
I nod, my stomach churning. This all feels more real now. More dangerous.
As we stand to leave, the detective hands me his card. “You’re not alone in this. We’ll do everything we can to help.”
I smile at him gratefully. I believe him. “Thank you, detective. I’ll drop the package by later on the way to my job.”
Outside the station, I stop and take a deep breath, letting the cool air fill my lungs.
Sebastian slips his arm around my shoulders. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” I say, leaning into him. “I just want this to be over.”
“It will be,” he says with more confidence than I feel. “The police are helping now and we’ll do what we can to help catch this person.”
“You sure you’re good to close by yourself?” Hannah lingers in Knit Happens’ doorway, keys in her hand.
“Absolutely.” I wave her forward. She has dinner with Michael to get to, and—if I’m being honest—I would enjoy closing the shop on my own more.
Things have continued to be weird between the two of us, despite the fact that we’re working and joking like regular times. But though we’ve hung out as a group with our friends, there’s been no one-on-one time.
I haven’t initiated it. She hasn’t initiated it.
It feels like we’re at this standstill, smiling and acting like everything is as it always has been. Things feel off, though…and I know it’s all my fault.
I could tell her about what’s really happening with my health and the stalker—I told Sebastian, and that’s something I never saw coming.
The downside is that he’s been worrying about me, though, and while I like having him around—especially when I literally can’t do something for myself—I don’t want everyone in my life to see me as some kind of invalid.
“Have a good night,” Hannah says softly as she slips out the door.
As I watch her walk down the street, a bit of guilt winds its way through me, but I push it aside. I’m getting used to it anyway, this feeling of failure whether I tell the truth or keep it to myself.
Too bad I don’t have much respect for the person I’m becoming.
Checking a sigh, I get to work closing out the register.
It’s the first day back at work since my flare, and thankfully, I feel fine.
Stiff and sore, yes, especially after walking around the petting zoo yesterday, but that’s nothing new.
At least I’m not on the ground, incapable of standing.
And the visit to the police station today did give me some hope.
Done with the drawer, I tidy up the few things that are out of place, grab my bag, and lock up the shop. Though it’s a twenty-minute walk to my place, I drove today just in case my health took a nose dive and also for added protection.
Climbing into my car, I realize this will be the first evening all week Sebastian isn’t at my place—either staying until I fall asleep or crashing on the couch so I can spread out across the bed. It’s odd, going home and knowing he won’t be there.
Usually, a guy leaving my house comes with a big, relaxed sigh on my part. As much as I might like someone, having them in my space, all up in my business, makes me nervous and tense. I need my own zone to just be myself in.
But now, Sebastian won’t be there, and that leaves me feeling…empty.
We had such a good time yesterday, hanging out at his parents’ petting zoo. I could tell he was nervous since his mom and dad are kind of odd birds, but I didn’t even care. They made me laugh, if anything.
And then there was afterward, when we curled up on the couch at my place and ate pasta then fell asleep watching TV.
At least, I fell asleep.
Waking up a few hours later, I wasn’t surprised at all to find him sitting at the kitchen table doing some work on his laptop.
Now, here he is today, jumping into another eighteen hours of work. I thought I was busy, but I have nothing on him. Really, I don’t know how he does it.
Shaking my head, I drive through downtown, making sure I don’t pass by the vet’s office where he’s working the closing shift. I can’t turn into one of those women who is checking up on the guy she’s dating.
And what would I be looking for anyway? His car, so that I know he’s actually at work? A big neon sign telling me that he misses me—or that I’m the only woman on his mind?
No. Of course not. I just want to be closer to him, even if there are walls between us.
At least I have my kitten to go home to. Apparently, Cat is mine to keep now, because Sebastian has stopped talking about finding her a home.
Which—and that’s another surprise—is fine by me. The fluffball isn’t too annoying, and there’s nothing like having her climb onto my chest to purr the night away.
The rain cloud that’s been hanging over the water all evening hits the island as I reach my street. Fat, aggressive drops slam against my windshield, and I turn the wipers up to the max.
As I turn into the parking lot, my headlights sweep across my condo’s front step. A figure stands there on the porch, close to the door, trying to stay dry. My first thought is to panic, but then I recognize the person’s form.
Sebastian .
My heart does a flip, and my lips pull into a smile.
I jog up to my porch, getting soaked along the way. “Hey.”
“Hi. Hope you don’t mind me just showing up.” He’s holding a covered casserole dish.
“It’s fine, but aren’t you supposed to be at work?”
“Actually…” He looks sheepish. “I took the day off.”
My jaw drops. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” he chuckles. “I’m not sick or anything. I just… I needed it, it turns out.”
“Wow.” I don’t know what else to add, so I just shake my head.
“I know.” He raises his eyebrows.
“What did you do?”
“Uh… Well…first, I freaked out.”
That makes me laugh. “Okay. That doesn’t surprise me.”
“Then I thought about coming into Knit Happens to harass you and beg for a job.”
“You could never harass me.” I take hold of his jacket and tug him closer.
He grins. “Good to know, but I didn’t want to bother you. I tried to force myself to stay home, but it was hard to not do anything, so I cleaned my whole house, and then I took some stuff to the resale store.”
“Wow. That’s a lot. Is that really a day off?”
“It felt relaxing.” He shrugs. “I liked it.”
I nod sagely. “Then, yes. I’d say it’s still a day off.”
“Would you like dinner? I made some lasagna.”
“From scratch?”
“Yeah. You told me that it’s your favorite. If you don’t?—”
“Are you kidding me?” I unlock the door. “The moment you said ‘lasagna,’ I considered jumping you and taking it all for myself.”
“I wouldn’t mind the jumping me part.” He follows me into the condo.
“It’s not the type of jumping you’re thinking.” I throw him a saucy look over my shoulder. “It’s the kind that might leave you with a concussion.”
Cat lifts her head from where she’s curled on the couch and blinks sleepily at us as we pass by on our way to the kitchen.
“It’s still hot.” Sebastian slides the dish onto the counter. “So we don’t need to heat it up.”
“Perfect.”
The comforting scents of tomato sauce and cheese draw me closer to the lasagna—and to Sebastian. “Have I told you that you’re my dream man?”
“Because of lasagna?”
I slip my arms around him. “Yes…and because of other things.”
His eyes flash as he looks at me like he’s trying to drink me in with his gaze. “Now that you mention it, there’s something I want to tell you…”
“Mrrrreeeow.” Cat’s “feed me dinner” meow is nails on a chalkboard.
“Geez, girl.” I cover my ears. “Take it down a notch.”
“I’ll feed her and serve dinner. You get settled in.” Sebastian gives me a quick kiss.
But I stay planted next to the counter. “Didn’t you want to tell me something?”
He considers it for a moment. “It will keep.” He shuffles closer to me, the warmth of his body wrapping around me like an embrace. “You look hungry. Right now, let’s eat.”