Page 57 of Saving Stella

“Okay.” She didn’t even give him a backward glance as she headed toward the main building.

Cliff spent the rest of the afternoon listening to podcasts and the radio while keeping his eye on the entrance. Even before Stella went back to work after the kidnapping attempt, Lizzie had checked out the security at Crestholm and mentioned how it was top-notch, so he wasn’t too worried about her safety while she was inside. The carnival yesterday had been open to the public, which was probably how that Lycan he scented got in. But, during school hours, there was only one way in and out of the campus, and roving security patrolled the perimeter.

Three o’clock rolled around, and Cliff went into full alert, knowing Stella would come out anytime. But by three fifteen when she hadn’t appeared, alarm bells went off in his head. So, he got out of the truck and marched over to the main entrance.

He sighed with relief when he saw Stella there—but a snarl of displeasure escaped his throat when he saw she wasn’t alone. That prick gym teacher was there, but so was another woman—a pretty, young brunette who was giggling at something the prick said.

“And so, I was … oh hey, it’s your bodyguard.” Tyler nodded at Cliff. “I didn’t get your name by the way, buddy.”

“That’s because I didn’t give it. Are you ready, Stella?”

She glanced over at Tyler and the brunette. “Uh, yeah, I was about to head over to you.”

Cliff frowned. Something was not quite right here. Stella’s shoulders slumped, her posture hunched in. The tiniest frown line appeared between her eyebrows—minuscule, but he’d never seen it before.

“All right, we’ll see you tomorrow, Stel,” Tyler said. “It’s gonna be awesome, right, Jane?”

“For sure.” She blushed as Tyler put an arm around her. “Free booze is always a plus.”

“We should go.” Stella turned on her heel and marched away.

Cliff narrowed his eyes at Tyler and the brunette, then followed her. “Stella.” She kept walking, as if she didn’t hear him. “Stella!” It only took five strides for him to catch up to her. “Hey, what’s the matter?”

“Nothing.”

Sidestepping her, he blocked the path and crossed his arms over his chest. “Nuh-uh. Something’s wrong, and you’re going to tell me. Did that douchebag upset you?”

“No.” But the tiniest twitch of her lips gave away the lie.

“Stella …”

“It’s silly, okay?” She huffed. “And really, I’d forgotten about it, with everything that’s happened. Maybe I won’t even go tomorrow.”

“Go where?”

“To the Nevada Association of Independent Schools Awards Night. It doesn’t matter anyway.”

“It doesn’t sound like it doesn’t matter. Tell me what’s wrong.”

“We … that is …” She glanced back as if to check that no one was watching or listening to them. “Tyler and I had made plans … that is, we just talked about maybe, possibly going together. But we didn’t set anything solid.” Her teeth chomped at her lip. “I just … I thought I had a date, but apparently, he’s bringing his own date. Again.”

“Again?”

“Never mind. It’s fine. I’ll go alone. Or not go.”

“I can go with you.” The words flew out of his mouth before he could stop them.

Fuck.

“What? As my date?”

“As your … friend. And bodyguard. It would make things easier, so I don’t have to stay away and watch you from afar.”

Or pound that asshole’s face in if he even breathes wrong on you.

She raised an eyebrow skeptically.

“Hey, I know I don’t look like much now, but I’ve been told I clean up good.”

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