Page 39 of Texting Dr. Stalker

I didn’t want to ask. “Or?”

“Are you perhaps waking up to the fact that you actuallylikethis girl? That you’ve liked her for years. And not because you were told to by your gran but because you get that certain kind of feeling whenever you look at her.”

“What certain kind of feeling?”

“If I have to describe it, then it isn’t it.”

“Why are you so annoying?” I crossed my arms. “I’ve never disliked you more than I do right now.”

He chuckled. “Answer the question.”

“Or what? Still threatening to put me in a straitjacket?”

“No, I’m trying to decide if I’ll help you or not.”

“Help me?” I shot to my feet. “You can’t be serious. You should throw my phone in the river and tell me to stop destroying my career.”

He stood too. Moving toward me, he clapped me on the shoulder. “Perhaps you won’t destroy your career. Maybe this is you attempting to have a life. Finally.”

“By stalking a vulnerable girl who almost died.”

“Hey, nobody’s perfect.”

“This isn’t a joke, Col.”

He went serious. “No, it’s not. And I won’t lie to you that it could get out of hand and end in some serious legal complications, but…” He sighed. “Butif you truly want her to heal and she has no one else, then…she needs you. And frankly, you need her. So I’m in. I have your back. I’ll help you so you don’t royally fuck this up, but my help does come with a time limit.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means, I agree that it sounds as if she needs someone impartial to get over this initial hump of healing, but the second she’s finding herself again, you have to tell her. Alright? You have to be honest that it’s you behind the screen. Who knows, she might already be madly in love with you by then and think it’s adorable.”

“Or hate my guts so much that I have to move to Australia.”

“That’s a big possibility.”

I groaned. “Fuck, this is a disaster.”

“Welcome to the world of dating, my friend.” Patting my cheek, he headed toward the door. “I have to go. A patient is waiting. But this conversation isn’t over. See you tonight for that beer. Don’t be late.”

* 13 *

Sailor

Stars Don’t Talk

I LIED.

To the police.

Lily.

Jim across the fence.

Even myself.

I lied that I’d destroyed the phone when the police came to take my statement.

I lied to Lily that they’d taken it in for testing.

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