Page 26 of Secret Billionaire

“Yes! Go to bed.”

Laughing, Maddy rose and headed to bed.

After pulling on a thick sweater, Faye poured herself a glass of wine and slid open the French doors, stepping onto the balcony. It was chilly but the sky was crystal clear, and the stars were fully on display. She could see the distant lights of the marina and sighed with contentment. Sipping her wine, she relaxed and let herself decompress.

Things were going smoothly at the bar, and she was relieved that she and Jesse worked so well together. They both did their own thing then came together when it was required. They were attempting to keep things on a somewhat professional standing. Kind of sort of. That was the hard part. They were playful and flirty, but the heat level was at fiery hot, and if they gave in to it, they’d be all over each other and the bar would never get done.

Since tomorrow was Saturday they would quit early. She had advertised karaoke and thought that might bring in more customers. She wanted to have a little break before her bar shift started.

Her musings were interrupted by a movement along the shoreline. She could make out the silhouette of a man standing there. It almost seemed like he was staring her way. She shivered but not from the cold. Spooked, she grabbed her drink and went inside. Peering out from behind the safety of her locked door, she watched as the man stood with his back to the sea, facing her condo. She inched away from the door and moved to the kitchen window so she could observe without feeling exposed.

She could see the glow from a cigarette as he held it to his lips for a drag. He stayed for about five more minutes then walked away, heading in the direction of the marina. Her heart was racing, and a stern admonishment to herself about her overactive imagination did little to dispel her unease. That was just plain creepy. Faye don’t even go there! This is your PTSD from your last relationship. You are safe!

Rinsing out her empty wine glass, she headed for bed, even though she was convinced that sleep at this point was merely a fantasy. She was pleasantly surprised to find her eyelids drooping after reading only one chapter of her book. She turned out the light and fell into a deep troubled sleep. Dark shadowy figures lurking in corners, sinister statues coming alive, coins being tossed in her face, and graffiti covering every inch of her bar inside and out, had her tossing and turning all night. When her alarm went off, she felt like what the cat drug in. It was going to be a very long day.

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