Page 71 of Texting Dr. Stalker

I stopped typing.

I didn’t know how to describe Alexander.

A trickster when he was a kid. Obsessed with anything injured as a teen. Quiet, reserved, and slightly standoffish as an adult, all with a boyish habit of fiddling with his glasses as if he’d never gotten used to wearing them even though he’d had a pair since he was twelve.

Why on earth do I remember how old he was when he got glasses?

I knew why.

Because Nana had baked him a cake with a big pair of spectacles on it with the words ‘Congratulations, you’re a distinguished gentleman’. I’d overheard her talking to Pops how Alexander had been bullied at school for having four eyes, and she’d wanted to lift his spirits.

Me: …he’s a good person. It’s not his fault. He’d take it so personally if he knew.

X:I’m sure he’d do whatever it took to wipe away those memories associated with him if he could.

Standing, I smoothed down my pinafore and made my way to Lily.

Me:I have to go. I’m slacking while my friend works so hard. Talk to you later.

I threw myself into helping customers so I didn’t give in to the urge to look for Alexander in the crowd, hoping like hell the feeling of helplessness and panic would vanish.

* 20 *

Zander

Claws Come in All Shapes and Sizes

“THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT,” I GRUMBLED as Colin inspected his newly purchased chopping board. “I should never have agreed to come here with you. My plan was to covertly watch from a distance. Not shop where she could see me.”

“Are you saying I took advantage of your sleep-deprived state at the hospital this morning and coerced you into doing something against your will?” He smirked. “Do you wish to make a formal complaint? Perhaps tell the girl you’re crushing on that—”

“Quiet.” I narrowed my eyes. “You said you’d hold your tongue.”

If it hadn’t been for my security cameras alerting me to Sailor packing her car like she did most weekends for the market, I wouldn’t have known she was here. I’d logged in on a coffee break at five a.m., my cameras sending me a motion alert. I’d watched for a while, my chest swelling with pride at how brave she was. She’d also made my heart clench a few times as she sat on her doorstep and hugged her knees, swiping away tears and fighting back her panic.

I’d made a stupid comment to Col that I was going to watch her at the market after work, and he’d invited himself along.

“Did I? I don’t remember saying that.” He chuckled. “You’re unfairly accusing me. I have every right to defend myself. What do you think, Christina? Did I do the friendly thing by dragging your older brother out of the hospital after a fifteen-hour stint to ensure he sees the sun and buys some homemade goodies, or did I overstep my boundaries?”

Christina—my sister who’d had a bad breakup and hated the fact that she’d recently turned twenty-eight—laughed under her breath. “Don’t ask me. I’m not getting on Zan’s bad side.”

“But you’re happy for me to take all the blame. Harsh.”

Christina stared at him for a second too long. She tucked her long hair behind her ear.

“She’s not interested, you fool,” I muttered. “I’ve told you this.”

Colin pouted. “Really?” He fluttered his eyelashes at my sister. “You sure I can’t tempt you back into the dating pool? I promise I don’t bite.”

“How do you know thatIdon’t?” Christina crossed her arms.

Colin laughed out loud.

I didn’t appreciate them flirting right in front of me. “Stop that. Both of you.”

Colin fired back, “Only if you stop giving yourself blue balls by texting this woman.”

“I saidquiet,” I hissed, looking over my shoulder, just in case someone—Sailor—heard.

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