Page 43 of Save Me

The ‘yes’ that spills out of my lips is too quick. It’s as if my body is speaking for me before my brain can catch up. Yet the way my answer brings a broader smile to his face makes it feel worthwhile.

“I have to go,” I say as an excuse. Honestly, I don’t have anywhere I need to be now. He’s the one who has to work this evening.

Dae is up and out of the car in seconds. The next thing I know, he pulls the passenger door open and holds his hand out for me to take. As soon as I’m standing, he intertwines our fingers instead of releasing my hand, tugging me to him.

“Thursday,” he says against my lips. The strain in his voice pulls at something in my chest. His voice is pained. As if it hurts to wait that long to see one another again.

“Thursday,” I confirm.

When I do, he places a kiss on the corner of my mouth. I almost moan again, but the sounds around us remind me that we’re in public.

“Thank you for today,” I say. “It’s been too long since I spent time outdoors, horseback riding.”

He strokes my cheek. “We’ll have to do it again then,” he says as if it’s a promise.

I start for the front door of my building. Despite my better judgment, I turn to look at him, and yes, he’s watching. I toss him a wave, and he returns it but doesn’t move. He’ll watch me until I disappear from his sight.

I wish I could say that turned me off.

It doesn’t. A giddy chill runs down my spine, knowing he’s watching me. That feeling lasts until I get on the elevator.

When I reach my condo, I can’t wipe the smile from my face. As I heel-toe my shoes off at the door, I question why I’m so hung up on this guy.

“Physical,” I murmur to myself as I change my clothes. It has to be because he’s so damn hot. It’s been a while since I’ve been with anyone else. That must be the reason. A natural physical response to hot stimulation.

“Nothing more,” I mutter as I head to my reading nook.

Technically, it’s my home office, so it’s more than a nook, but that’s what I like to call it. I grab my laptop off my desk to sit in the reading corner connected to the window.

The cut-out window gives me enough space for several fluffy pillows and a blanket while I read, research, or even nap.

Though I have a desk and chair for working, I prefer to sit with my laptop on my knees and glance out now and again at the Williamsport skyline. As I do, I again am grateful for the decision I made to move back to my home city after college.

Despite the challenges and my desire for independence, I wouldn’t want to live in any other city.

I open my laptop to research Blackmon’s finances as Dae suggested, but a prickly feeling runs down my spine.

It’s similar to the feeling I got when walking away from Dae when I knew he watched me. I glance out of the window, down toward the street. Cars and pedestrians pass by, going about their business. Not to mention, no one can see into my window from where I’m seated. I have the inside curtains drawn.

That way, I feel free to sit and read or work here for hours without wondering if someone can see my home directly.

Yet, the feeling persists. Like I’m being watched. It’s a familiar feeling. Something that’s happened off and on for years, though nothing ever materialized from it. I don’t have a secret stalker or something.

It's probably just a byproduct of my somewhat overactive imagination.

I shake the feeling off as I flip my laptop open. Pushing thoughts of my growing relationship with Dae Kim or thoughts of someone watching me away, I take his advice. I delve into Blackmon’s finances to find out if there’s anything relevant to my investigation.

Focusing on work is the one thing that can lead me to stop thinking about Dae Kim or, more importantly, curb the anticipation of our next date.

CHAPTER 13

Kennedy

“I’m home!” I announce loudly as I walk into my parents’ house.

It’s the middle of the week, but it’s the first time almost all of my siblings, my parents, and grandparents have been able to get together in months.

“Kennedy,” my grandmother greets, holding her arms out wide.

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