Page 87 of Sycamore Circle

“Bo, of course I’m not mad at you.”

“Then why didn’t you call me as soon as you saw it?” His Kentucky accent was thicker. He seemed upset—almost like he was hurt.

“I’m starting to feel like I’m too much trouble.” With a fake laugh, she added, “Maybe I’m like that guy who just got out of prison. I’m driving you crazy with my drama.” And where this was coming from, she didn’t know.

He didn’t say anything for a long second. “Look, it’s only eight thirty. You good with me coming over?”

“Bo, there’s no need.”

“Joy, are you good with me coming over tonight? I could be there in twenty minutes.”

“You’re not giving up, are you?”

“I’m not a quitter. And you didn’t tell me yes or no.”

“Bo, I’m... I’m not in a good place tonight. It doesn’t have anything to do with you or even the stalker. I just think I ought to go to bed.”

“Can you give me a reason?”

“I just did.”

“Joy, can you give me a real reason?”

Before she could decide whether or not to answer, the words started pouring out. “My ex-husband is being a jerk. I’m so mad right now I’m afraid I’m going to scare you off.” She closed her eyes. Could she sound any more needy and/or ridiculous?

His voice softened. “I’m not scared. I’ll see you soon, okay?”

“Bo, I just told you—”

He kept his voice low and measured. “Joy, I hate to break it to you, but I’m not just good at my job, at calling cops and counseling felons. I’m also real good at listening to pretty women complain about their ex-husbands.”

The surge of jealousy that hit took her off guard. Was she just another needy woman he was looking after? She didn’t think that anyone would take on her problems when there were so many other women out there who didn’t have an ex-husband or a stalker... Or maybe he had a crazy hero complex. She knew women who loved crushing on men who were unattainable. Maybe this was his odd version of that. “Sounds like you have a lot of experience in that area.”

Ouch. She’d somehow just managed to sound both insecure and jealous at the same time.

His response was immediate. “As a matter of fact, I don’t. Thank the good Lord. What I’m trying to say is talking about a jerk of an ex sounds like a nice break from all the awful and scary stuff that’s been happening lately, right? Talking about exes is normal stuff.”

She opened her mouth to protest but closed it right away. Why was she trying to push Bo away? He was gorgeous, capable, and kind to her and her daughter. He’d taken her concerns about the notes seriously and had even helped to make sure she talked to a detective with a good reputation. In addition, he had been doing everything he possibly could—short of renting out a billboard in the middle of town—to demonstrate how he felt about her. She certainly didn’t need that either.

The simple truth was that she wanted to be around him. She wanted to see him.

“See you soon.”

“There you go.”

He hung up before she had the opportunity to ask if he was talking to her or to himself.

CHAPTER 29

When his brother Eric called as he was driving, Bo had come close to letting it go to voicemail. He loved his brother, but he always felt bad when he talked to him. He knew Eric didn’t respect him and had some strong feelings about the mistakes Bo had made in his life. Bo couldn’t deny that Eric had every right to feel the way he did—but that didn’t mean he felt he needed to listen to his opinions every chance he got.

“Eric,” he said as a greeting. “How are you?”

“I’m all right. What about you?”

“Good.”

“Did I call at a bad time?”

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