Page 118 of Say Yes to the Death

Sawyer stopped walking. “What?”

She tugged Rosie to the edge of the sidewalk, allowing a stream of business people to pass.

“He pointed out that you were in the building the night I got the first note. And that Sanctum was conveniently in charge of the security at the Heirloom Hotel. I told him he’s crazy. We had video footage of the first intruder, the second note arrived in Paris, and you were with me for the third. I told him to stop being crazy. Honestly I think he’s just jealous of the time we’re spending together.”

Sawyer’s expression did not lighten.

“For the record, I know you have nothing to do with what’s going on. I already Googled you. You weren’t in ESA.”

He started walking again. “You’re right. I was never a frat boy. What does Luke think about the whole ESA thing?”

“I haven’t exactly told him about it.”

“Hmmm.” Sawyer took a moment to scan the surroundings. Was he expecting to see Luke hiding behind a minivan?

“He hurt me,” she continued. “Like more than I thought it was capable to be hurt by someone, especially after what I went through with Jason. I know it’s stupid and immature, but I’m really enjoying keeping a secret from him for once. I’m actually inviting his estranged brother to dinner at my house on Friday. He accepted last night. Anyway, speaking of secrets, tell me about the redhead in all those pictures in your house.”

The girl’s identity had been a constant question in her mind since she had stayed over.

He didn’t respond, so she glanced at him.

A black hole seemed to have opened in Sawyer. The light was gone from his eyes, his jovial smile was gone, and he tripped on the sidewalk. She had never witnessed him trip before. Oh, hell. She had somehow made things even worse.

He was quiet for almost an entire block. Claire remained patient, tugging Rosie along behind them. He was still headed in the direction of froyo, so at least he hadn’t changed his mind about their plans. All she could do was wait.

“Her name was Laura,” he said, shoving his hands in his pockets despite his no-hands-in-the-pocket rule.

“Was?” Oh crap, was she dead?

“Well, is. I assume. We dated for three years, and on the night I was going to propose, she dumped me to go study penguins in South Africa.”

“Well, that’s just next-level shitty,” Claire said, stopping in the middle of the sidewalk to touch his arm. “I’m so sorry.”

Sawyer shrugged. “It doesn’t help that I have a daily reminder of her every time I look in the mirror.” He lifted the hem of his shirt. Three long, wide scars slashed his midsection. Right, the scar. She had seen it when he dashed into her kitchen naked but promptly forgotten about it in the wake of the large naked man in her personal space.

“Please tell me she didn’t attack you.” Did Sawyer have some kind of kink?

“No, nothing like that. I was hiking a few years ago. Ran into a black bear. Tried to escape up a tree.”

She hit him on the shoulder. “Never try to escape a black bear up a tree! They can climb.”

He sighed. “That’s what she said too. She was a forest ranger. She chased it away and somehow managed to piggyback me back to the ranger station.”

Claire’s mouth dropped open. “That’s the best meet-cute I’ve ever heard.”

He shrugged. “It’s too bad it amounted to nothing.”

She shook her head. “Do you still hike?”

Sawyer shook his head. “I’m more of an urban explorer now.”

“Guess it only takes one bear attack to ruin the woods for good.” Claire wound the leash around her wrist just in case a black bear came lumbering down the street to snatch her dog.

They finally arrived at the frozen yogurt shop. Sawyer got their orders while Claire waited outside with Rosie. Since her stalker was getting progressively more ballsy, there was no chance of her tying her up outside businesses even for a minute.

She settled at a small, round table and pulled a binder from her purse. Maybe it wasn’t smart to openly read her bedazzled cult binder in broad daylight on a busy sidewalk. But if they were watching her, she wanted them to be scared.

Sawyer set their cups on the table. “Find anything new last night?” He nodded at the binder.

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